National Computer Repair

Experienced in computer repair, data recovery, and a love for all things geek.

Tag: tech support

How to Recover Data from a Damaged Hard Drive

Today, many of us use hard drives to conveniently store our personal data. However, seeing a damaged hard drive or losing it can be quite frustrating like a bad nightmare. Nowadays, hard drives are not secure and can be easily damaged. These risks include physical damage, data corruption, or even a virus attack. Not to mention, recovering data from a damaged hard drive depends upon the level of damage to the device. If you’re attempting to recover your lost data from a damaged hard drive, then here are some useful steps that you can follow.

1. Connect the dead hard drive to your system.

If the hard drive is already in your system, you can just skip this step. However, if it is an external hard drive, you need to connect it to your PC via a SATA cable. SATA cables can be found online at your local hardware store. Connect one end of the cable to the hard drive and the other one to the computer. You can also invest in a USB cradle if you are a laptop owner. All you have to do is slip the hard drive into the cradle and connect it to your laptop.

2. Check for any damage.

Now that you are all hooked up into the system, you can inspect your hard drive for the damages. The hard drive might show up on your computer or laptop as an external storage device. Copy the data onto your system as a backup.

However, a lot of times, things aren’t so simple and you may be unable to import the data into your system. Or even worse, your computer does not recognize the data on the connected hard drive. If you find yourself in this situation, move onto the next step.

3. Download a data recovery software.

If all else above has failed, you can also look into a new way of recovering data from your dead hard drive. There are many free and paid data recovery software on the internet that can get your personal data out of a storage unit. Just download a trustworthy data recovery software and let it do its job. Such software can also retrieve data from your damaged phone devices and SD cards, so it is always handy to have a data recovery software at your disposal.

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Conclusion

Data recovery can be a tricky business to handle. One wrong move can mean permanent loss of your precious data. Are you looking for reliable IT services? Let the professionals take care of it. National Computer Repair has been in business for many years now. Our experts will help you with everything from recovering your data to computer repairs and more. Visit our website or give us a call at (615) 826-7550, and we’ll fix anything and everything that is wrong with your system.  

Hard Drives 101

Along with a screen, motherboard, graphics, and RAM, computers also need a storage drive in order to function correctly. Computers will either need a solid state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HD or HDD), or a hybrid version of the two, and because it’s their main storage device the more it has the better. To further boost your hard drive knowledge, feel confident when shopping for one, and learn troubleshooting tips, continue reading our blog below!

Function

Hard drives are the hardware components that store all digital content on computers. This includes everything from documents, pictures, music, videos, programs, and application preferences. Hard drives are typically installed inside of computers, however they are sometimes located externally too. Oftentimes, external hard drives are purchased as a form of additional backup storage for laptops and computers.

Purchasing

Whether you’re buying a new computer or upgrading a current one, shopping for a storage drive can be a daunting and confusing experience. It’s crucial that you thoroughly research before purchasing as the right storage configuration can have a drastic impact on your day-to-day experience with loading, response times, and available storage space.

Troubleshooting

Common issues consumers encounter with their hard drives include data recovery, backup failures, data transfers, and installations. When a functioning drive fails or begins returning errors, there could be many possible causes.

If having issues but the drive is still functioning, copy and relocate any important information from it as quickly as possible as hard drives are infamous for being fine one moment and not the next. When it comes to something as vital as a hard drive, it’s always best to leave it to the experts to avoid any permanent data loss.

Final Thoughts

From hard drive installations to repairs and replacements, National Computer Repair always has you covered. Our team can remedy various issues and replace different malfunctioning components such as the motherboard, hard drive, graphics card, screen, touch pad, and keys. To learn more about our incredibly convenient and affordable services head to our website or call us any day of the week at (615) 826-7550.

Cybersecurity for Remote Workers

In the past year the remote workforce has increased exponentially. With this major shift in workplace ‘normalcy’ there are many other issues arising that haven’t been as problematic as they have been in past years, cybersecurity being one of the biggest. Below we discuss a few ways remote workers can protect their and their employer’s private and sensitive information.

Secure Networks

As a remote worker it’s very important to make sure that you are operating on a secure Wi-Fi network at all times. By installing firmware, adding encryptions, and updating router passwords remote workers can best make sure that they are keeping their and their company’s information safe and secure from thieves and data robbers.

Beware of Phishing

Phishing is a modern term that refers to sneaky and fraudulent attempts at obtaining private data through impersonation. This is commonly seen through fake websites, email scams, suspicious attachments and deceitful website links. It’s crucial that remote workers and remote employers invest in the time to learn more about the warning signs of online phishing and how they can protect their sensitive information.

Don’t Use Personal Devices

It’s not entirely uncommon for remote workers to be tempted to work on their personal devices rather than their work issued ones. However this action can leave company data much more vulnerable to cybersecurity risks and hacks. For optimal security it’s imperative that remote workers complete all their work only on their work specific devices.

Final Thoughts Sometimes even the most protected information can get lost or stolen by far away cyber criminals. If this happens to you or someone you know on their personal or work device be sure to visit our computer repair shop in Madison, TN, call us at (615) 826- 7550, or visit our website here for more information about our convenient and secure repair services.

Top 3 Problems for Tablet Users

As one of the more trendy devices on the market, tablets have made a name in the tech world for being easy to use and travel with. This device is used in the same way as a smart phone or laptop. However, with any device, there might be some performance issues. Some examples include battery problems or screen function. Follow along in our blog as we discuss tech problems you may encounter with a tablet.

Battery/Power Issues

If you are experiencing a low battery problem, look at the apps you have installed. Third-party apps (which are usually apps downloaded from the App Store or Google Play) can drain the battery. You can check which apps are eating up the power by going to your tablet’s “battery use” section. The next step is to uninstall apps that you don’t use or that are using up the most power.

Screen Problems

External and internal screen problems can be an inconvenience, as most tablets are touch screen. For external issues, closely examine the screen for cracks, chips, or particles that may be interfering with the touch feature. As for internal complications, a non-responsive or slow screen may be due to limited RAM. You can fix this issue by deleting apps, clearing the cache, or simply close apps you’re not using.

Charging Issues

Sometimes tablets stop charging, even when plugged in. Why? Well one reason could be a damaged charge port. The port is the part of the tablet where the charger is plugged into. On the other hand, a twisted or damaged cable may possibly be the culprit. iFixScreens gives an important tip: “always use the device’s original charging cable or purchase a good quality charging string that doesn’t damage your tablet or your adapter.”

Final Thoughts

If you can’t solve your tech problem, the experts at National Computer Repair can! You can call on us for tech support when it comes to your computer, tablet, and more. We’ve got you covered!

Call 615-826-7550 or visit us online at www.nationalcomputerrepairllc.com.

Laptops Computers vs Desktop Computers

While the age of paper thin and hyper speed computers are upon us, many still question whether a desktop or laptop computer would best suit them. Both types of computers have their benefits and their downfalls, but they all grant the gift of infinite possibilities and resources.

Performance

It’s entirely possible to find incredibly high performance computers that can accomplish everything you need in both laptop and desktop form. Though for the sake of comparison, a laptop equipped with comparable features and components to those of a desktop computer will not perform as well. This is due to the fact that laptop parts are made smaller and lighter for mobility purposes, sacrificing some speed and performance.

Price

Price is arguably the biggest factor most people consider before purchasing a new computer and those who haven’t shopped around recently may be surprised to see just how far their money can go. Even though desktop computers tend to have better rates of performance than laptops do, they often cost much less. A laptop computer with similar parts as a desktop computer can cost as much as fifty percent more.

Portability

Though this may seem obvious, desktop computers are not ideal for those who are frequently mobile. Desktop computers have a reputation for being bulky and heavy, and even though that is becoming less true every year, there is some truth to it. Those who need to be near a computer at all times would most benefit from the freedom a laptop offers, though there is always the option of investing in both!

Conclusion

While desktop computers are typically better performing and lower in cost, it can be hard to not see the appeal in a computer that’s both ultra-thin and lightweight. Computers are wonderful tools when they work properly but can be incredibly frustrating and confusing when they don’t. Contact us here whenever you need fast and affordable computer repair services, we are highly experienced in repairing both desktop and laptop computers!