Computer Repair Tips

Ever notice how each PC has a personality of its own? Or maybe even multiple personalities? In the course of a week, your computer may act friendly, moody, and sometimes downright mean.

However, don’t take a hammer to your PC just yet. The following is a list of common symptoms and treatments to help even the most troublesome PCs. You don’t even have to be a psychologist (at least not yet) to deal with your PC’s neuroses.

These solutions deal specifically with Windows XP, but overall you’ll find these tips work for all versions of Windows starting with Windows 95 to Windows XP. Windows Vista handles most of these problems automatically.

1. You keep getting a "your system is running low on virtual memory" message

Perhaps you’re more than familiar with this scenario: You’re working on your PC and notice performance getting gradually slower and slower. Programs become harder to open and close. You wait forever for Web pages to be displayed. And then, you get some serious-sounding "virtual memory is too low" message, like the one in the following graphic.

Don’t worry: This message isn’t as scary as it sounds.

Viewing a virtual memory low message

Virtual memory is the space your computer uses when it’s short of RAM (Random Access Memory), which is the memory used when running programs like Microsoft Office Word or Microsoft Office PowerPoint.

So what can you do to correct this problem and prevent this message from coming up in the future? The following are some solutions to keep your computer from displaying the "virtual memory minimum is too low" message.

Solution #1: Bump up the virtual memory size on your computer

The first solution is to increase your computer’s virtual memory settings. To do so, you first need to determine how much RAM you currently have.

To increase the virtual memory on your Windows XP computer:

1. On the Start menu, click My Computer, and then on the left side of the My Computer window, click View system information.

2. Click the Advanced tab, and then in the Performance area, click Settings.

3. Click the Advanced tab, and then in the Virtual memory area, click Change.

   

   Selecting the Advanced tab in the Performance Options dialog box

4. Change the Initial Size (MB) and Maximum size (MB) text boxes to 1.5 times the RAM you have (in MB). For example, if you had 768 MB of RAM, you would enter 1152 MB RAM in both the Initial Size (MB) and Maximum Size (MB) text boxes.

   

   Accessing the Virtual Memory dialog box

5. Click Set, and then, click OK. A message appears, stating that you will need to restart for the changes to take place. Click OK.

6. Click OK two times.

7. You will then be asked if you want to restart your computer. Click Yes or No depending on when you want the changes to take effect.

Solution #2: Add more RAM to your computer

If you keep getting that dreaded "Your system is running low on virtual memory" message-even after you increase your computer’s virtual memory-then you may need to buy more memory for your computer. To really work well:

• Windows XP needs a minimum of 256 MB of RAM.

• Windows Vista needs at least 512 MB of RAM to run, but for some applications (like gaming) 1 GB or more of RAM is recommended.

The more RAM you have, the better.

If you’re at work, contact your company’s IT administrator before updating the memory on your computer. They may have some memory available and can help you install it.

If you do need to purchase some more memory, stop by your local computer shop. You can probably buy memory from them, and they’ll probably install it for you. Or, you can buy memory online.

2. Your windows slide off the desktop. and you can’t grab them

We’re all familiar with moving program windows around the desktop. You can click-and-hold the window’s title bar to move it around. But what do you do when you accidentally move a window’s title bar off the desktop so you can’t grab it anymore? The window is stuck in that inconvenient position.

Solution: Use your keyboard to help move your window

The trick to moving these stubborn program windows is to use your keyboard.

To use your keyboard to move a window:

1. Select the program window you’re trying to move, and then, press ALT+SPACEBAR on your keyboard. The program’s shortcut menu is displayed.

   

   Accessing a window’s shortcut menu

2. Click Move.

3. Use your LEFT ARROW, RIGHT ARROW, UP ARROW, or DOWN ARROW keys to move the window so you can see its title bar on your screen.

4. After you move the window where you want it, press ENTER.

3. Your taskbar has disappeared

The taskbar is that horizontal bar at the bottom or your computer screen that displays open programs on your desktop. The taskbar also contains the Start menu, which allows you to navigate to various programs installed on your computer. In many ways, it’s your command central.

Thus, there’s nothing more frustrating than going to start a program, only to find the taskbar gone. A computer without a taskbar will bring you to a grinding halt.

The good news is that the taskbar never disappears-it just hides. It may be hiding behind other open windows, or at the top or side of your screen. You can also (unintentionally) make the taskbar so thin that it seems invisible.

The following are possible reasons why your taskbar has vanished, as well as solutions to keep your taskbar from ever running away again.

Solution #1: Find your taskbar behind other windows

• If you don’t see your taskbar, minimize all windows on your desktop. See if your taskbar is hiding behind your open windows.

  

  Finding your taskbar behind maximized windows

• To set your taskbar so it’s always on top of all desktop windows:

  1. Right-click the taskbar, and click Properties.

  2. Select the Lock the taskbar check box.

  3. Select the Keep the taskbar on top of other windows check box.

Locking and keeping your taskbar on top of other windows

Now your taskbar will always be visible, no matter how many windows you have open. Locking your taskbar also keeps you from accidentally moving it around.

Solution #2: Find your taskbar elsewhere on your screen

If you have tried minimizing all windows on your desktop and you still don’t see your taskbar-perhaps it has been moved. Maybe you’ve moved it yourself by accident. Or, perhaps someone’s playing a practical joke on you. Regardless, the following will help you get your taskbar back to its proper size.

1. As you did in the previous steps, minimize all windows on your desktop. If you don’t see your taskbar at the bottom of the screen, perhaps it’s hanging out to the side or top of your desktop.

   

   Finding a hiding taskbar on your desktop

2. Click-and-drag your taskbar back to the bottom of your screen.

3. Right-click the taskbar, and then click Properties.

4. Click to select the following:

   • The Lock the taskbar check box

   • The Keep the taskbar on top of other windows check box

Solution #3: Thicken up your taskbar

You can make your taskbar a thin line-so skinny it’s hard to see. To see if you’ve done this unintentionally, perform the following:

1. Minimize all windows on your desktop. Look at each side of your screen. If you see a thin strip, that’s the taskbar.

   

   Finding a taskbar that’s become a thin strip

2. Point your mouse at the strip. It changes into a double-sided arrow.

3. Click-and-drag the mouse toward the center of the screen to thicken your taskbar.

4. After you thicken the taskbar, you can drag it back to the bottom of the screen by following the steps in "Solution #2" above.

You most likely couldn’t do your job without your computer and mobile devices. Everyday you use them to work on files, connect with people, and access resources. Keeping them running smoothly is important to working effectively.

So how do you start?

At work your computer and devices are part of a larger network. Keeping them running means you have to work closely with your corporate IT department. Working with them will save you time, save your company money, and help keep the network secure. This article includes tips and best practices for working with your corporate IT department to keep your computer and devices up-to-date and functioning properly.

Who owns the computer?

You use a computer at work, you may take it home, and you might even have a picture of your kids on the computer desktop. The computer, though, isn’t yours. It’s important to realize that your company owns that computer. They have the right to install patches and updates on a regular basis. By doing so, they can make sure your computer and the network run as smoothly as possible.

"It’s common for IT departments to get complaints about patches being put on computers," said Jim DuBois, a general manager for IT at Microsoft. "But it is the best way for companies to make sure the network and computers remain secure."

To further protect their computers, many companies even prevent users from making changes to the settings or software installed on the computer.

Best practices for maintaining your computer

Use these best practices to help maintain and protect the computer you use at work. You should contact your IT department to determine their specific policies.

1. Install all updates required by your IT department. Not installing updates as required by your IT department can expose your company to viruses and other security risks. Some companies even prevent computers from accessing the network if patches aren’t installed after a set date. Also, find out whether the IT department wants you to install updates on Microsoft Update. If they do, make it a habit of checking Microsoft Update regularly. You’ll save yourself the hassle of the IT department forcing you to install updates when it’s not convenient for you.

2. Install only licensed programs. Make sure that you or your company have a license for any software you install on your work computer. Your company can get sued for having software without a license installed on its computers. For example, installing a program your friend bought could present some problems. Software that you’ve bought a license for is probably fine, but double-check the license to make sure. Sometimes, software bought for home use can not be installed at work as well.

3. Don’t install different versions of software. Even if you prefer the version of software you use at home rather than work, don’t install it on your work computer. You could have incompatibility problems with the software your co-workers are using and with your specific line of business applications. Your IT department may also not be able to make any required updates or provide technical support.

4. Let IT know when hardware isn’t working. Fixing a broken computer yourself could just cause more problems. Your fixes, for example, could make the computer incompatible with the corporate network. Most IT departments have a helpdesk or technical assistance program designed for this type of work. The IT department may have already seen the same problem and have a known fix. Helping your IT department track common computer problems can also help them decide which brand and make of computer to order in the future.

5. Let IT know when you need something. Giving the IT department reasonable requests and adequate time for planning can help them respond to your needs. Otherwise, you may end up with computer software or hardware you didn’t want, which can hinder how effective you are at work.

6. Don’t download programs from Internet sites you don’t trust. By downloading programs that may not be secure, you put all the computers on the network at risk.

7. Be aware of suspicious e-mails. A virus introduced though e-mail may be disguised as a downloadable file. If an e-mail you receive is from someone you don’t know, contains strange text, or otherwise looks suspicious, contact your IT department. If you open it, you could potentially cause problems for you and you co-workers. If it does contain a virus, the IT department can ask other employees in the organization to look for similar e-mails.

8. Use online support resources. Many IT departments have created online internal help sites that could provide an answer to your computer problem. Each day, Help desks typically receive many questions that are already answered at these sites. For help effectively using Microsoft products, you can also use the following resources:

   • Microsoft Office Online Assistance Center

   • Microsoft Knowledge Base

   • Windows Vista Solution Center

Buying pocket PCs and Smartphones to use at work

If you work on the road, your company may provide you with a Microsoft Windows Mobile-based Smartphone or Pocket PC to stay in touch with the office. If you buy your own, though, check with the IT department to see whether they have a list of recommended devices. There are many options for devices and data and voice plans. Your IT department may have brands, models, and plans that they already support. Buying those will make it easier to connect to the network and get support if you need it.

By following a few simple guidelines, you can maintain your computer and keep it running smoothly. This post discusses how to use the tools available in Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) and Windows Vista to more efficiently maintain your computer and safeguard your privacy when you’re online.

By following a few simple guidelines, you can maintain your computer and keep it running smoothly. This article discusses how to use the tools available in Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) and Windows Vista to more efficiently maintain your computer and safeguard your privacy when you’re online.

1. Free up disk space

By freeing disk space, you can improve the performance of your computer. The Disk Cleanup tool helps you free up space on your hard disk. The utility identifies files that you can safely delete, and then enables you to choose whether you want to delete some or all of the identified files.
Use Disk Cleanup to:

• Remove temporary Internet files.

• Remove downloaded program files (such as Microsoft ActiveX controls and Java applets).

• Empty the Recycle Bin.

• Remove Windows temporary files.

• Remove optional Windows components that you don’t use.

• Remove installed programs that you no longer use.

Tip: Typically, temporary Internet files take the most amount of space because the browser caches each page you visit for faster access later.

To use Disk Cleanup

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup. If several drives are available, you might be prompted to specify which drive you want to clean.

   

2. In the Disk Cleanup for dialog box, scroll through the content of the Files to delete list.

   

   Choose the files that you want to delete.

3. Clear the check boxes for files that you don’t want to delete, and then click OK.

4. When prompted to confirm that you want to delete the specified files, click Yes.

After a few minutes, the process completes and the Disk Cleanup dialog box closes, leaving your computer cleaner and performing better.

2. Speed up access to data

Disk fragmentation slows the overall performance of your system. When files are fragmented, the computer must search the hard disk when the file is opened to piece it back together. The response time can be significantly longer.

Disk Defragmenter is a Windows utility that consolidates fragmented files and folders on your computer’s hard disk so that each occupies a single space on the disk. With your files stored neatly end-to-end, without fragmentation, reading and writing to the disk speeds up.

When to run Disk Defragmenter
In addition to running Disk Defragmenter at regular intervals-monthly is optimal-there are other times you should run it too, such as when:

• You add a large number of files.

• Your free disk space totals 15 percent or less.

• You install new programs or a new version of Windows.

To use Disk Defragmenter:

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Defragmenter.

   

   Click Analyze to start the Disk Defragmenter.

2. In the Disk Defragmenter dialog box, click the drives that you want to defragment, and then click the Analyze button. After the disk is analyzed, a dialog box appears, letting you know whether you should defragment the analyzed drives.

   Tip: You should analyze a volume before defragmenting it to get an estimate of how long the defragmentation process will take.

3. To defragment the selected drive or drives, click the Defragment button. Note: In Windows Vista, there is no graphical user interface to demonstrate the progress-but your hard drive is still being defragmented.

   After the defragmentation is complete, Disk Defragmenter displays the results.

4. To display detailed information about the defragmented disk or partition, click View Report.

5. To close the View Report dialog box, click Close.

6. To close the Disk Defragmenter utility, click the Close button on the title bar of the window.

3. Detect and repair disk errors

In addition to running Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter to optimize the performance of your computer, you can check the integrity of the files stored on your hard disk by running the Error Checking utility.

As you use your hard drive, it can develop bad sectors. Bad sectors slow down hard disk performance and sometimes make data writing (such as file saving) difficult, or even impossible. The Error Checking utility scans the hard drive for bad sectors, and scans for file system errors to see whether certain files or folders are misplaced.

If you use your computer daily, you should run this utility once a week to help prevent data loss.

To run the Error Checking utility:

1. Close all open files.

2. Click Start, and then click My Computer.

3. In the My Computer window, right-click the hard disk you want to search for bad sectors, and then click Properties.

4. In the Properties dialog box, click the Tools tab.

5. Click the Check Now button.

6. In the Check Disk dialog box, select the Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors check box, and then click Start.

   

7. If bad sectors are found, choose to fix them.

Tip: Only select the "Automatically fix file system errors" check box if you think that your disk contains bad sectors.

4. Protect your computer against spyware

Spyware collects personal information without letting you know and without asking for permission. From the Web sites you visit to usernames and passwords, spyware can put you and your confidential information at risk. In addition to privacy concerns, spyware can hamper your computer’s performance. To combat spyware, you might want to consider using Microsoft Windows Defender, which is included in Windows Vista, and is available as a free download for Microsoft XP SP2. Alternatively, there are other free anti-spyware software programs available.

5. Learn all about ReadyBoost

If you’re using Windows Vista, you can use ReadyBoost to speed up your system. A new concept in adding memory to a system, it allows you to use non-volatile flash memory-like a USB flash drive or a memory card-to improve performance without having to add additional memory. Learn more.

Unlike standalone desktop keyboards on which you can easily replace sticky or broken keys one at a time, many laptop PC keyboard problems require wholesale keyboard replacement.

Replacing a laptop PC keyboard requires opening the bottom deck of the laptop PC, which can void your warranty. Check your warranty first before replacing the keyboard.

As with earlier do-it-yourself repairs covered in this brief, you’ll find that the Repair4Laptop.com website offers a wide range of tutorials with photographs and step-by-step instructions.

If you don’t feel comfortable replacing the keyboard yourself, contact your laptop PC’s manufacturer or a reputable computer repair shop. You may have to pay a bench charge of $30 to $75, and then as much as $200 for a replacement keyboard, depending on your computer’s make and model.

If your HP laptop PC is still under warranty and you experience keyboard or touchpad problems, it’s recommended you ship the unit to an authorized HP service depot for repair.

Resolving touchpad problems

To deal with touchpad problems, consider switching to an external mouse as an affordable option. Small wired mice with retractable cords cost under $10, and you can get a cordless mouse for $20 to $35. Undertaking repair is about the same level of difficulty as replacing the keyboard, and you must often remove the keyboard to get at the touchpad anyway.

Using a wireless laptop PC keyboard and mouse is a terrific option for many users, especially those whose computers include built-in Bluetooth receivers. For work at home or in the office, this kind of accessory can greatly improve your productivity by eliminating wires and giving you a less cluttered and more flexible work area.

Using a docking station or port replicator

An ordinary docking station or port replicator is a device that includes PS/2 mouse and keyboard ports and/or USB ports, and video ports for external monitors, that you can leave connected at all times. Higher-end docking stations or port replicators support dual external monitors, and may include wired Gigabit Ethernet ports, a power supply for your laptop PC, and built-in hard disks for backup or extended storage.

Prices generally range from $60 to $200, depending on the number of features. However, this is one case in which convenience often outweighs cost, especially if you want to sit down and get to work with a minimum of fuss. Plus, if your laptop PC is experiencing keyboard or touchpad issues, you can usually work around them using a docking station or port replicator.

Although this quick lesson offered many do-it-yourself solutions for common laptop PC problems, if you’ve got an HP laptop PC, you always have the backing of HP support ready to help you resolve any issues. Just visit HP.com to learn about support and troubleshooting services.

Most laptop PCs include external video outputs, primarily VGA (Video Graphics Array), with an increasing number of devices offering DVI (Digital Visual Interface), or HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) support.

When your laptop PC’s built-in display isn’t working properly, you can quickly and easily determine if the problem relates to the built-in graphics circuitry or to the display itself by plugging in an external monitor. If the external monitor lights up and things work as they should, the built-in display is at fault. If the external monitor also fails to work, it’s likely that your laptop PC graphics circuitry has failed. Because this can involve replacing a standalone graphics module or the system board inside the laptop, depending on the make and model of your computer, you need to perform a cost-benefit analysis on making repairs or replacing your laptop PC.

Fixing a skewed or clipped image

When the display works but the image is skewed or clipped, double-check the display settings. Right-click an unoccupied area of the desktop, select Personalize, and then click Display Settings. The Display Settings dialog box opens, as shown in Figure 8.

Figure 8: Display Settings dialog box.

Check your Resolution setting to ensure it’s not set too low for your laptop PC. You can adjust this setting by moving the slider bar. Also click the Advanced Settings button, and then click the Monitor tab. Make sure the screen refresh rate matches recommended vendor settings.

If all of these settings are correct, try replacing your monitor driver. Click Start, type device manager in the Start Search text box, and then press Enter. In Device Manager, double-click whichever entry under Monitors corresponds to your built-in display. Many laptop PCs use the Generic PnP Monitor entry. In the monitor Properties dialog box, as shown in Figure 9, click the Driver tab, and then click Update Driver. Windows Vista attempts to find the latest driver online.

Figure 9: Monitor Properties dialog box.

If that doesn’t work, click Driver Details and write down the full file specification for the driver file in use. You should be able to visit the manufacturer’s website and download and install a replacement by searching for the file name.

Working with an external monitor

For most laptop PCs, working with an external monitor is as simple as plugging it into the VGA, DVI, or an HDMI port, depending on the kinds of connections and cables you have available. Most modern equipment is PnP (Plug and Play) compatible, and Windows Vista does an excellent job of identifying such devices and loading the necessary drivers.

At a minimum, you might have to use a generic driver long enough to identify and download a device-specific driver from the external monitor vendor’s website.

Adding an external monitor to a laptop PC provides an additional benefit as well. Once plugged in and powered up, you should see a window that reads New Display Detected on your built-in screen, as shown in Figure 10.

Figure 10: When a new display is detected, you can duplicate content from one screen to the other, or extend your desktop across both screens.

To extend your desktop onto both screens, select the Show different parts of my desktop on each display (extended) option, click Apply, and then click OK. You’ll increase your visible work area across both displays. This can be a real boon to those who like to work between or among two or more applications at the same time.

Repairing or replacing a laptop PC screen

Built-in laptop PC screens occasionally suffer from dead pixels, a condition in which some addressable location on the LCD (liquid crystal display) stops working and displays black all the time. There’s not much you can do to fix such a problem except to replace your screen. If the PC is out of warranty, expect to spend $250 and up to replace a laptop display, depending on its size. If you decide to replace the screen yourself, this will be your only cost. However, if you send your laptop PC in for professional repair, these costs can easily double.

Be sure to check the warranty on your laptop before undertaking such a repair. Replacing the screen usually voids your warranty.

Replacing a laptop PC screen is fairly simple: you must disassemble the top deck of the laptop PC, detach the screen from its power and signal inputs, remove it from the top deck, and then reverse the process to insert a new one. The degree of difficulty varies with the type of laptop PC you own, and how amenable the upper deck is to being opened. Again, Repair4Laptop.org has a series of photos and videos that provide step-by-step instructions for a wide range of laptop PCs. In addition, Tom’s Hardware offers a tutorial entitled " How to replace a broken laptop or notebook display."

Fixing surface scratches

To fix small surface scratches or other minor surface damage to an LCD screen, you may have some luck in polishing small defects out with a soft cloth. Other methods include rubbing a small amount of petroleum jelly or even shaving cream into the scratch. You can also find scratch repair kits for furniture or automotive use that may be of some help.

Try fixing a very small part of the scratch as a test before applying any product to the entire scratch.

The next section covers fixes and workarounds for keyboard and touchpad problems.

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is an essential but nearly invisible program that operates in the background on every PC. The BIOS establishes settings for PC hardware, boot order among multiple drives, interface language, and more. Access to the BIOS requires pressing a key just as the PC begins to boot up, right after you turn it on.

For most HP laptop PCs, these special keys provide the following types of functions:

• Esc: Displays the POST (power on self test) message that occurs at initial device bootup, along with other status information as devices are checked and come online. This also provides easy access to the Windows Vista boot menu, where you can enable various safe modes, repair and logging tools, and more.
• F1: Displays system information, including laptop PC make and model, system board ID, processor type and speed, memory size, boot ROM data, and BIOS version.
• F2: Runs a startup check that inspects the RAM and hard disks.
• F9: Starts the Boot Device menu, which lets you examine and reorder available boot devices on your laptop PC.
• F10: Invokes the Computer Setup routines from the laptop PC’s EPROM where you can examine settings or change your system configuration. Available options include interface language, boot options, and device configurations (which permit use of virtualization technology and button sounds to be enabled or disabled).
• F11: Invokes the HP Recovery Manager, a utility that guides users through system repair when system problems require immediate action.

BIOS, driver, and other system software updates for HP laptop PCs may be accessed through the HP Update program. To use this tool, select Start > All Programs > HP, and then select HP Update to start the HP Update Wizard, as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4: The HP Update Wizard helps users identify and download available BIOS and driver updates.

Enlarge image

Click Next. The wizard interacts with an HP website to identify available driver or BIOS updates and enables you to download and install them. Updating drivers is usually advantageous; however, most experts advise against updating your BIOS unless it fixes problems you have experienced or adds new functionality that you require.

Checking CPU and memory timing

To check how fast your CPU and memory are actually running, you can run CPU-Z, a freeware utility available for download on the CPUID.com website. After downloading and installing CPU-Z, run the cpuz.exe file. You should see something similar to Figure 5. For modern mobile processors, such as the Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo X7800 shown in Figure 5, you won’t necessarily see the maximum CPU speed in the Core Speed entry on the CPU tab because the laptop PC regulates its core speed very closely.

The results shown here are for a laptop PC with the power plan set to High performance.

Figure 5: CPU-Z displays processor data and speed on its CPU tab.

You can compare the actual configuration for your laptop PC’s memory to the settings stored in the RAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) table, which is programmed at the factory when the memory is fabricated. Figure 6 shows the contents of CPU-Z’s Memory tab for an HP Pavilion HDX 9000 laptop PC.

Figure 6: CPU-Z Memory tab.

Figure 7 shows the SPD tab for SODIMM 1 on the same computer.

Figure 7: CPU-Z SPD tab.

This lets you compare actual settings to the manufacturer’s recommended settings. By looking at the Frequency value in the Timings field in Figure 6, you can tell you should read the Timings values in the 333 MHz column in Figure 7, because the 332.5 MHz value in Figure 6 most closely matches that column in Figure 7.

Now that you know how to work with motherboard and CPU settings, read on to find out how to resolve display issues.

Study after study shows that no upgrade improves Windows performance or boosts user satisfaction with their PC more than adding RAM (random access memory) to a machine. Although many laptop PCs come equipped with 512 MB or 1 GB of RAM, those same computers can often accommodate at least twice as much RAM as is currently installed. In many cases, at least one laptop PC memory module, called a SODIMM (small outline dual inline memory module), is readily accessible on the underside of a laptop PC using only a small Phillips-head screwdriver.

To understand if a memory upgrade is an option for your laptop PC, you must determine the following:

• The amount of memory currently installed on your laptop PC and its maximum capacity: If the amount installed is less than the maximum, you can probably install an upgrade and reap some benefits.
• The kind of memory your laptop PC requires: Most memory vendors offer memory finder utilities on their websites that ask you to identify your computer, and then describe the memory options available to you.
• How to access the memory slots: You can usually find this information on the laptop PC vendor’s website or in your owner’s manual. Many vendors offer an electronic version of the owner’s manual online.

Websites such as Repair4Laptop.org offer photos or videos that show you exactly what you must do and how you should do it.

Installing new memory modules

Most HP laptop PCs support two SODIMM slots, both easily accessible on the underside of the case. It’s surprisingly easy to swap out memory; however, you may want to consider taking your laptop PC to a local repair shop if keyboard or top deck removal is difficult.

For accessible slots, you need only turn off your laptop PC, disconnect the power supply, remove the battery, and then open the memory access cover. SODIMMs are secured by snap-on metal clips at both sides. Pop these out gently, and then gently wiggle the module to remove it. You must generally remove both old modules before inserting new ones, which require you to seat the edge connectors at the bottom, and then slide the retaining clips onto both sides. When your laptop PC boots up, the memory counter should reflect the new amount of memory you’ve just installed.

The next section helps you manage motherboard and CPU (central processing unit) settings.

There are two basic methods to increase the amount of disk space on a laptop PC. One method involves swapping a smaller, older drive for a bigger, newer one. The other involves adding one or more additional drives to the pool of available storage.

If your laptop PC has two internal drive bays with only one hard disk installed, you can add an additional disk without replacing the original one. In addition, if your laptop PC has a free USB port, you can connect an external USB drive and extend your storage by 500 GB (gigabytes) or more.

Adding or replacing an internal laptop PC drive

Before you undertake the project of replacing an internal drive or adding a new one, check with your laptop manufacturer to make sure you won’t void your warranty. To replace a hard drive in a laptop PC, follow these general steps:

1. Identify and acquire a compatible drive, such as a 2.5-inch IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) or SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) model.
2. Look for information, illustrations, or instructions on how to open the case, what tools will be needed, how to dismount the old drive, and how to insert the new one. Also be sure to back up the data on the drive you’re replacing so you can restore its contents to the new drive, if necessary.
3. Power off the laptop PC and remove the battery.
4. Follow the instructions to open the drive hatch or hatches. Ordinarily, you only need a small Phillips-head screwdriver to perform this step.

Websites such as Repair4Laptop.org. list numerous HP laptop PC models and offer photos or videos that show exactly what to expect and what to do when adding or swapping an internal laptop PC drive.

1. Remove the old drive and add the new drive, or install an additional drive into an empty drive bay.

Once you’ve reassembled your system, the PC should recognize the new drive the next time you reboot. If you’ve replaced your system drive, you must reinstall your operating system or use a bootable USB or CD image to boot the PC.

If you replace a lower-capacity, older internal drive with a higher-capacity, newer drive, consider purchasing a portable USB enclosure for that drive. You can convert it to an external storage device for as little as $15.

Using external USB drives

There’s a plethora of offerings available for laptop PC use, but these fall into two form factors: 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch drives.

Small, lightweight, highly portable enclosures are usually built around the same 2.5-inch hard disks that go into modern laptop PCs. These cost a bit more and provide less storage space but are designed to go with you on the road without adding too much bulk or weight to your laptop bag. You can find drives in capacities from 40 GB to as high as 160 to 200 GB.

Many of these portable external drives feature a dual USB plug arrangement and thus require two available, powered USB ports. That’s because USB ports are each limited to 500 mA (milliamps) and 4.75 to 5 V (volts) of power, and most hard disks require more than that to operate. The first USB plug handles data and power, whereas the second plug is for power only. Both plugs must usually be connected and working before the drive will work. These also draw on your laptop PC battery, so factor this draw into your battery life calculations.

Larger 3.5" external USB hard disks offer larger capacities — 80 GB to 1 TB (terabyte) — at lower prices but must draw power through an external power supply (called a brick) that plugs into a wall socket. This means you can’t use these drives when you’re on the go; however, it makes them very handy for use at home or in the office for backup and extra storage space.

Using flash drives

For extremely portable storage, nothing beats a USB flash drive. Capacities vary from 1 to 16 GB. This is enough storage to carry all of your email files and entire libraries of project files with you wherever you go. It’s hard to beat these devices: you can carry sizable amounts of data with you and plug into just about any desktop or laptop PC to retrieve whatever you need.

Make your desktop portable

There are a number of specialty software environments designed to enable users to pick up and carry their electronic desktops with them wherever they go. This technique works with equal facility on portable USB hard disks or flash drives, depending on how large a filespace you wish to make portable.

Products such as Migo, Ceedo, and others let you grab your email application and message archives, desktop settings, browser favorites, and all the other personal elements of your workspace and store them on a flash drive or a USB hard disk. When you plug that device into a laptop or desktop PC, it shows you your familiar virtual surroundings and desktop, and lets you work just as if you were on your usual PC at home or in the office. Thus, laptop users who bounce between a desktop and a laptop PC may find this technology extremely useful.

Next, learn how to upgrade your laptop PC’s memory.

Individuals who seek to get work done away from an external power source cite usable battery life as one of the key factors involved in how much work they can get done while on the go. Yet many of those same individuals don’t know how much latitude they have in controlling power consumption while operating on battery power, nor do they always take the steps necessary to maximize battery lifetime. Over the long term, proper storage of your battery when not in active use can also extend its lifetime significantly.

Checking the battery

You can check the level of charge on your laptop PC battery by clicking the power icon in your system tray, as shown in Figure 1. The battery charge level is indicated by the height of the green area inside the battery container in the icon.

Many of the figures and examples in this quick lesson focus on the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system.

Figure 1: The power icon looks like a battery with a wall plug to its left.

When you click this icon, an information window opens, as shown in Figure 2. This window indicates how much charge remains in the battery and enables you to select a power plan to manage how your laptop PC uses battery power.

Figure 2: The power icon provides information about battery charge and power plan in use.

Another option is to use the HP Battery Check utility. You need to download this tool, and then run it with your laptop PC plugged into an AC power source.

Understanding power plans

Windows Vista includes three default power plans:

• Balanced: Offers as much power as the laptop PC can deliver during periods of activity but significantly reduces power consumption during idle periods.
• Power saver: Saves power by reducing system performance whenever possible. Use this setting if you want to squeeze as much life out of your battery as possible.
• High performance: Maximizes system performance and responsiveness to user input. Battery life can be reduced by as much as 50 percent from Balanced values when the PC uses this power scheme while running on battery power.

HP notebooks generally ship with the following power plans defined, among others:

• HP Recommended: Offers slightly different settings from those for Power saver when running off the battery but with faster time-outs when running plugged in to an external power source. See Table 1 for the details.
• Power saver: Same as the Windows Vista default power plan of the same name.
• High performance: Same as the Windows default power plan of the same name.

The HP Recommended plan replaces the Windows default Balanced power plan. It makes sense to select HP Recommended for most situations in which the laptop PC switches between plugged-in and battery-powered usage. The following table lists default power plan settings.

Table 1: Key settings for default HP power plans.

There are many other settings associated with individual power plans users may want to investigate. These include time-outs for hard disks, wireless network adapters, USB (universal serial bus) devices, processor power management, and more. To dig into this level of detail, select Start > Control Panel. In Classic view, double-click Power Options. For any of the power plans shown, click Change plan settings, and then click Change advanced power settings. The Power Options dialog box opens, displaying individual power plans in complete detail, as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3: The Power Options dialog box.

Optimizing battery life

Typical lithium ion or NiMH (nickel metal hydride) batteries last longest (that is, accept the greatest number of full charges before displaying diminished charge retention) if not stored in your laptop when it’s plugged into a wall socket. You can achieve optimal battery life by storing the battery at temperatures between 35 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit (typical refrigerator temperatures) at a 40-percent charge level. Before you take the laptop PC on the road, charge the battery up to 100 percent. When you return to your home or office, discharge it until the level reads 40 percent, and then place it in a waterproof bag and put it back into the refrigerator.

HP provides a well documented website focused on mobile PC battery care and usage. Visit Wireless and mobility — maximize your battery life and browse the links for more information.

Next, learn how to address storage issues on a laptop PC.