Stop your printer nightmares!

PRINTER! Indeed, it won’t leave your top 10 list of the must have’s in your office, but it can also be one of the most hated office tools too. Have you ever been in a rush for a meeting and needed to print out a document only to have your printer act up? It can drive you mad!

No matter what brand you choose, there are times when printing can become a nightmare. It may be because of driver issues, the user interface or the printer needs maintenance, it all depends. Computer & IT tech support people know how to deal with it, but it also helps to know what kind of printer problem we are encountering so you can apply first steps before issues become worse.

Here are a few common issues which could affect your printing:

Printer jams: All printers suffer from this at some point and is a fairly common problem. Printer jams occur for any number of reasons; using incorrect media that is just not compatible is the most likely cause. Older printers can be more prone to jamming due to rollers and internal parts wearing out which can cause paper slippage thus resulting in a jam.

If you encounter a jam, the best thing to do first is turn off the printer. Keep in mind especially if you have a laser printer, it’s advised to wait for the fuser to cool down before you clear the jam as they get rather hot. If you can see the jammed sheet of paper, GENTLY pull it out, following the direction the paper would normally go. DO NOT pull it backwards as it may damage the printer’s mechanics. Also be careful not to rip the paper if you can help it, removing remaining torn paper is often difficult and may even involve partly disassembling the printer to remove it all.

Print queue: It’s okay for us humans to multitask, but printers don’t work the same way. Printers get sent print jobs from a computer and are printed out in order. If there is an error in one of the jobs; paper jams, lack of paper, ink or other mechanical reason, the remaining jobs in the queue may not get printed and may get stuck. Most times once an issue has been rectified, the remaining jobs will continue and everything will be fine. If you continue to get print queue errors, there may be some other issues going on and it’s best to consult with your IT support to check what could be causing it.

Bad quality prints: You may have printed out a document or a photo and the quality of the end result was just awful. Most common cause for this usually a bad ink or laser cartridge and the easiest way to determine this is to replace it with a brand new one. Also worth checking the media you’re using and if it’s correct for the job you are printing. If everything checks out and you continue to have bad quality prints, then it could be a more major issue and it would be best to seek professional IT assistance.

Leaking cartridges: This is an issue that happens with both inkjet & laserjet printers, most often when using refilled or remanufactured cartridges. Most cartridges are not designed to be refilled and only have a limited life. It is always best to use new genuine cartridges to avoid possible leaking, plus you get much better quality printing. It’s also worth noting that most manufactures will not honour the warranty if damage has occurred due to a leaked cartridge.

We all have reasons to love printers but we also have reasons to hate them as well. Sometimes it all depends on how we use it too. When purchasing a new printer, one thing to keep in mind is to make sure it will be able to handle the workload, which is generally shown in the printer specifications as the duty cycle. This gives you an indication of how many pages per month the printer can handle. Trying to push a printer further than what it can handle is not advised and will usually result in damaging the printer. Most often this will also void your warranty.

If you take care of your printer and have it maintained regularly, many of the nightmares can be avoided before they happen.

If you need help with any kind of printer issue or if you need some assistance, we are here to help you. Our number is 0447 619 397 or you can send us an enquiry, either through our contact page, by Facebook or by email, helpme@ckpcomputers.com.au.

Solutions for Common Laptop Issues

Whether your laptop is a high-end model or not, problems will surely come along at some point when you least expect it. You can encounter a sudden restart or the screen blacks out and you are clueless about the cause of those problems. Thus, consulting a computer professional or technician will be your best option to resolve all of this.

Laptops are highly intricate and there are many causes to different problems. Here are just 5 of the most common laptop issues and solutions:

Screen Dots or Lines

1. If a line or dots of pixels appear on your screen, chances are it’s stuck or lit pixels. Dead pixels however show up as black dots. Sometimes putting a little light pressure on the screen with your finger can help the pixel become unstuck. However be careful and don’t apply too much pressure as you can damage the screen or even crack it. With millions of pixels on an average LCD screen, there is always a chance one or two won’t work properly. If the stuck pixels stay, the only option is to either persevere with it or replace the LCD panel.

2. If you’re experiencing wavy lines or static graphical artifacts all over your screen, it could be something else causing the problem other than the LCD panel. Bad RAM or a graphics adapter can cause this. If possible, connect the laptop to a working external monitor & see if the problem still exists. If it does, then the problem lies somewhere other than the built in LCD panel.

Black Screen  

Having a black screen may be due to a bad connection cable. If your laptop still seems to be functioning but the screen only displays a black screen, it could be a break in the cable joining the mainboard to the LCD panel. First connect a working external monitor & make sure the laptop is still functioning (besides the screen of course). If you get an image on the external monitor, it could be a fault with the panel or the cable. Both of these involve dismantling the laptop, so if you’re not experienced in doing this, please seek the professional help of a computer expert.

Incorrect Colours on the Screen

Incorrect or washed out colours could be a sign of a faulty LCD panel but could also be caused by bad RAM or graphics adapter. If after testing it turns out to be the graphics adapter at fault, most likely it’ll be part of the mainboard and can result in a costly repair. Replacing the board out of warranty is generally not economical as they’re an expensive part. Replacing a mainboard is a very intricate operation and not recommended to be done if not experienced. A computer technician or professional must be the one to handle such kind of problem.

Screen flickers on and off

The on and off flickering problem may be caused by a loose connection or a bad video cable. Breaks in the cable can happen due to opening and closing the screen and general wear and tear. A faulty LCD Inverter board (on older models) can also cause this problem. Hiring a computer technician or computer expert is highly recommended to determine the cause of this problem.

Laptop not turning on

Sometimes you can shut the computer down for the night and the next morning it just won’t turn on. This can happen on occasion and the first thing to try is to remove external power & also remove the battery. Next hold the power button down for around 30 seconds. Plug the power in & turn it on, if it turns on, then great! You can then connect the battery again.

If the laptop doesn’t turn on, it could have a fault somewhere, maybe try another power adapter if you have one or call a computer technician for help.

Laptops are very delicate and must be treated with care, however even with the utmost care, problem can still occur. Sometimes they ca be easily resolved but there are some which are more technical and assistance is required from a computer technician. If you aren’t sure or don’t feel confident to fix the problem yourself, seeking help from an expert will save you money in the long run.

CKP Computers can help you with all your laptop needs. Our number is 0447 619 397 or you can send us an enquiry, either through our contact page, by Facebook or by email, helpme@ckpcomputers.com.au.

3 Best Tips on Choosing the Best Laptop Repair Company

PRINTER! Indeed, it won’t leave your top 10 list of the must have’s in your office. But, it is one of the most hated office tools too. Are you in a rush for a meeting and you needed to print our certificates or legal documents and your printer acts up? Just wow!

No matter what brand we choose, there are circumstances that printing has become a user experience nightmare. It maybe because of the driver, the user-interface or the maintenance, it depends. There are experts or computer tech support who knows how to deal with it. But then we need to know what printer problems are we encountering to apply first steps before issues become worse.

Printer Jams. It’s a common problem for printers. Sometimes it’s hard to determine if they are tired of printing that they just stuck up like that. The paper gets stuck. The printer would just ignore it. It continues the printing process. Or it will stop when it’s almost done. Some part of it is stuck somewhere inside the machine.

Solutions: Turn off the computer. Keep in mind especially if you are using a laser printer you have to wait for the fuser to cool down before you clear off the jam. Pull out jammed papers and scraps CAREFULLY. Pull the paper under normal conditions- not backwards as it may damage the printer’s mechanics. If there are remaining scraps that you cannot pull anymore, leave it alone. Just call for a service. If you want to avoid printer paper jam, make sure you familiarize your printer with the papers you use.

Print Queue. It’s okay to multitask. You also do it but don’t expect printers to do the same. Something can only take so much. If you are eager to finish your work, you better follow the right ways. Printers perform their jobs but then, for whatever reasons the remaining jobs behind it gets blocked. Paper jams, lack of paper, ink or other mechanical reason may affect the print queue. Otherwise, there are far more reasons behind it. You can totally avoid this printer issue if you allow your IT support to regularly check it and tell you the root cause of this.

Bad Looking Prints. You have printed out a couple of pictures and by the end of your printing process; the print quality is just so awful. You can blame your inkjet because sometimes it can be blocked causing streaks on prints. But it can also be because of the type of paper you use. For best results, always consider good quality paper for the best prints. Never settle for something less unless you want to regret it.

Cartridge Leaks. Perhaps, paper jam could be the cause of your leaking cartridge. Cartridge leaks happen when scraps get stuck between the drum and the retaining blade. Retaining blade protects the waste bin against the drum. If any element blocks it, then the toner has the possibility to escape and leak.

We have all the reasons to love printers but we have reasons to hate them as well. Sometimes it all depends on how we use it. We take them for granted. Think of it. You only wanted to use it and you don’t even think of giving it a regular managed IT services. Instead, you wait for it to be broken before you realize you have over used it or you have used it wrongly. The best solution for fixing printers is to avoid nightmares before it wreck your printer solely. 

3 Best Tips on Choosing the Best Laptop Repair Company

Since most people nowadays are working 24/7 in front of the computer or with their laptops, we need to make sure that it is in a good condition. People usually store files and other important documents on their pc’s and a slow-functioning computer will greatly affect your work and everyday routine.

Below are some tips that you might want to consider to determine the company which offers the best laptop repair services.

1.       Refer from the good feedbacks of the previous clients

Having a good feedback from the clients can be a company’s asset towards attracting more customers. It just implicates the good services provided by the said company at a reasonable price. While there are lots of companies which offer laptop repair services in Lysterfield, you just have to choose and make your own background checking before having your laptop fixed. The commendable reviews and ratings they have will help you decide and let your laptop be handled by a trusted computer repair company. Consider the number of satisfied clients and their track record. This is a good sign that they really provide the clients with the service they deserve.

2.       Experts in Virus Removal and other Computer Malfunctions

If you want to make sure of your computer’s safety, let the best computer technicians to do the job for you. Make sure that you will hire a trusted and professional laptop repair company. Try to check their website and look for the one which offers a wide range of malware and virus removal, and data recovery. Don’t let them handle your laptop unless they fit your qualifications and standards. There are lots of computer technicians which are incapable of doing what’s best for the problem of your computer so better make the right choice.

3.       The number of years they are in business

Keep in mind that a company that’s still in the business is the one trusted by their clients. A good laptop repair company will never last if their previous clients were not satisfied with the services they offer. Furthermore, the track record they have will speak for itself. Customers will not keep on coming back for their services if they encountered problem with the technician or if they did not resolve the problem of their laptop or computer properly.

Having glitches with your computer or laptop will always occur. Nevertheless, choose the one which delivers prompt and exceptional service.

If you want to consult anything with regards to computer repairs, please visit: http://www.ckpcomputers.com.au

Understanding Computer Parts

Computer is part of human life. It already becomes a necessity to survive in our daily tasks and routine. However, majority of people still don’t thoroughly understand how it really functions. Here’s a glimpse to have a deeper understanding on your computer parts and functionalities.

Computer Case. It contains the most important parts of the computer and it usually functions as the protector of the computer brain. This is where mother board, CPU and other important parts of computer also lie. It may be of different sizes and colors.

Monitor. It is where the output of CPU usually displays. Today, monitors also come with different sizes and are usually thin. They also have control button that allows you to do adjustments on the color and brightness.

Keyboard. Its primary function is to help you provide inputs or commands in your computer. For desktop computers, without keyboard it will be hard to communicate with your computer.

Mouse, Track ball and Touch Pad. They are also tools or devices that will help you communicate with your computer. Mouse has two types, the optical mouse which uses laser to detect movements and mechanical mouse that uses rolling ball. Nowadays, what you would mostly see in the market is the optical mouse

Inside your Computer is a more detailed and complex parts that helps your computer to function based on your needs.

Mother Board. Using a printed circuit board, the motherboard connects and centralized all the computer parts for them to function well. This is also usually called as the logic board or main board.

CPU or Central Processing Unit. It is often referred as the brain of the computer. This is where data and instructions are process to provide results. Nowadays, CPU comes with different types such as dual core, quad core and more. The more CPU or core you have in your computer, the faster in works.   

RAM or Random Access Memory. It enables your computer to run simultaneously at a given time thus means that having a bigger RAM will help your computer reacts and function faster. It is also considered as the computer’s short term memory storage.

Hard Drive. It is the permanent memory storage of your computer. Even when computer is off or shut down, the hard drive is still able to store data and files you have install in it.

Power Supply Unit. Electricity or energy is the main food of the computer for this to function. Without it, computers will all be useless. Power supply unit main job is to provide electrical power to your computer parts.

Understanding computer can be too complicated to people who does not have much interest on it. But today, where most of the things that we do in our daily live depends on computer, a little understanding would help us maximize its functionalities and prolong its life and service.

To get assistance on your computer problems and repair needs, you can also visit http://www.ckpcomputers.com.au/ or contact them at 0447 619 397.

Do it yourself computer repair?

More often than not, we encounter computer problems in unexpected cases. Specially when we are already accessing computer and trying to finish urgent tasks, computer error creates such hassle and all that we can do is perform our own personal trouble shooting process. Although most of us often don’t have any choice but to do it, without sufficient knowledge this can also result to greater risks.

How to handle complicated computer troubleshooting?

Any simple computer problem that is not given proper attention can lead to a more serious problem. For complicated computer error, knowledge is not just enough to fix the issue, it would also require proper tools or equipment for you to do the proper repair.  It might also need you to have the programs for installing updates or do upgrade. These more complicated tasks are done mostly by professionals.

Now that computer has already been a necessity to any individual, where our daily routine and jobs depends on it, computer damage and repair could really be a headache. While it is really inevitable to experience computer problems, some helpful tips to prevent this can also be a great help.

1. Be mindful of the symptoms.  It is common for computer problems to show first signs of operational issue. These, most of the time, are displayed through error messages or pop up messages. Taking note of this common error messages will help you and your technician to easily identify the underlying problem or the root cause of the system glitch and would make help them also take the necessary steps to resolve the problem.

2. Take advantage of telephone and online service. In this highly competitive world of computer generation, a lot of computer shops do not just sell computers but also offer lifetime services. They also have now customer service provided through phone call or chat online. There also some that provides remote computer repair. In this wide range of available services, people can easily choose not just the best repair service but also a good partner in doing the computer maintenance.

3. Documentation is important.  Most of the time, when we invite technician to our house to do the repair, they also provide us some tips on how to better handle our computer or how to do the basic trouble shooting process. In some instances they also explain the reason why you encounter such computer issue. It would be useful to take advantage of these instances and take note of this tips that they provided to you. It will help you avoid to encounter this problem again and take also necessary steps if ever these error occur again.

Computer maintenance and repair is important for us to effectively and efficiently perform our daily tasks. However, it could also be a tedious and crucial process that’s why it is also important to have people and team that we can really depend on. For more information on computer repair and services, you can also visit http://ckpcomputers.com.au/ or call 0447 619 397.

Remote Computer Repair

What is Remote Computer Repair?
Though a lot of computer repair shops exist now in the market, it is still quite a challenge for someone to bring their bulky desktop and find the right people who can fix their computer error or do the upgrade. Some people are also not comfortable in entertaining strangers on their own home because of issues on their security. This is where remote computer repair started to exists. They give customers the same quality of service needed plus an immediate action based on their clients’ needs. 

Benefits of Remote Computer Repair 
Most customers might not know but almost 98% of computer problems can be repaired remotely. With remote repair there will also be no need for you to disconnect and reconnect computer cables which most users don’t thoroughly understand. Although technician remotely accesses your computer, they won’t be able to do it without you providing them the access to do so. You can, on the other hand, thoroughly see and observe how your computer is being repaired. Being able to access your computer on y our own with the assistance of a good technician can also help you add additional information on computer knowledge. Choosing a remote repair also give you the access to choose your own time availability. They are mostly available 24/7 and they can work for you while you’re at the comfort of your own home. 

Limitations of Computer Repair
Like every rule we know, there will always be some exemptions. Though it is most convenient to really have remote computer repair, not all computer errors or problems can be resolve remotely. This includes hardware issues and more. Remote computer repair also needs access to the internet for you to be able to get in touch with your online technician. Without the internet, they won’t be able to get access to your computer. Remote repair also often requires online payment or credit card payment. Thus, makes it hard for some people who are not comfortable of making payments online. 

Computer is one of today’s necessities for every household. Experiencing errors and problems could be a challenge for most individuals specially when they don’t have enough background on computer problems and issues. Remote computer repair gives a reliable option for a lot of computer users to solve their problem in the most convenient way. Nowadays, time is really very important for people who always have a busy schedule and having someone to take care of your errands would be a great help. To find more information on computer and computer repair you can also visit http://ckpcomputers.com.au/ or contact 0447 619 397 for more details.