Sep 30

The Windows Operating system registry is the most important part of a Windows-based computer system. This registry is never to be tampered with by anyone. It is by itself a fully automatic database that forms the backbone of the windows operating system. The registry is a system-defined database used by the operating system to store configuration information used to operate the PC. Understanding the importance of a clean registry using a good registry cleaner is very important.

All Windows applications record data to the registry during the installation of the program. The system components store and retrieve this configuration data through the registry. The data stored in the registry varies according to the version of Microsoft Windows and the years or months the system has been used. This is because as programs and applications are added to and removed from the system the entries are made to the registry but are seldom removed if at all. Because of this automation of the system the registry constantly grows. It may become so large that the system will slow down and ultimately crash bringing everything to a halt. This is why it must be cleaned regularly with registry cleaner software.

How To use a Registry Cleaner?

Registry cleaners are available in abundance on the Internet. They are free versions and trial versions of registry cleaner software. You may decide to try out a registry cleaner before deciding if you want to buy it. A search on Google will turn up thousands of registry cleaners such as Tweaknow registry cleaner, XP registry Cleaner, Win registry cleaner and the like. All these registry cleaners work fine. They can the registry for redundant data and useless entries like broken links and remove them automatically. All this is dome within seconds and the system runs smoothly and faster than before the registry cleaner was run.

The registry cleaner scans the registry for information that does not need to be on the system but is there nevertheless. This slows the system down every time the registry is scanned for information that is needed to run the system. The scan always starts from the beginning of the registry and continues until the data is found. The scan will include going through all the entries including the bad entries that serve no purpose to the system. There are tens of thousands of such entries. Going through each one slows the system greatly. Registry cleaner software removes these entries and then compacts the registry by filling in the spaces left by removing the useless data. This is how a registry cleaner speeds up a system.

Author is admin and technical expert associated with development of computer security and performance enhancing software like Registry Cleaner, Window Cleaner, Anti Spam Filter etc. More information can be found at http://www.pcmantra.com To know about the Registry Cleaner visit at http://www.pcmantra.com/registry-cleaner.htm.

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Sep 30

When your laptop suddenly won’t boot up, or that full cup of coffee you just poured yourself gets spilt over your laptop keyboard. How do you go about getting it fixed? Where do you take it? Whoever you take it to, your trusting somebody you don’t know to mess with what is probably a very sacred object to you — Well, here’s a few tips to help you on your way.

Where to get it fixed?

You could send it back to the manufacturers, each laptop company has a service department, but expect to pay 450-500 to replace a cracked screen, or 700-900 to replace a faulty motherboard. Your local computer shop may be able to help, but most laptop repairs require specialist knowledge which they may not have. There are a number of laptop repair companies to be found on the internet. Just searching for ‘laptop repair’ on the internet will bring you a long list of companies willing to do the work for you. In most cases whichever way you go, unless you very lucky to have one close by, this means sending/having collected, your laptop for repair.

Services and pricing

Laptop repair companies should clearly describe their repair service prices, ensuring that there are no hidden fees. Prices should be displayed, and preferably be a flat fee depending on the repair type. Most repair companies now days will look at your laptop for free and offer a diagnosis and estimate for repair, you may well have to pay postage costs, if you turn down the repair. But that seems fair.

LAPTOP repair warranties?

Any repair company has a duty by law to warranty their work. How long this warranty lasts is dependent on the laptop repair company, but should be no less than 6 months. Ensure that the warranty period is clearly written on any invoices, before you pay them. Ask them about their returns policy, for instance, who pays the collection/delivery costs if the unit fails again with the same fault within the warranty period?

How long should it take?

This largely depends on the availability of parts, for common makes like Dell, Sony, Samsung and compaq, parts are usually in plentiful supply. But if your unlucky enough to have let’s say a ‘Multivision’ (They’re now defunct), unless you stumble across an independent laptop repair firm that has a secondhand part, you can expect a long delay, if indeed the parts can be sourced. But for a ‘bread and butter’ repair, let’s say, ‘replacing the screen on a Dell inspiron’ look to a maximum 7 days. Most repair places whoever they are should be able to achieve the repair in this amount of time.

WILL I Loose my data?

The burning question!

If the problem is disk related, there is a small chance you may loose some data, but in ? of cases, data can be lifted from even the most damaged disk, it just depends how much money your prepared to throw at it. Of course that’s a worst case scenario.

If your laptop has a hardware fault that is not disk related, EG. It will not power on when the ‘on’ button is depressed. The simple answer is ‘NO’.

But if your worried, call around a few companies and describe the problem to them. They will then be able to advise you of the possibility.

Chris Banwell is a technician with http://www.laptop-repair-service.co.uk, he has been repairing laptops for around 15 years.

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