We all love a deal: But what if the 2TB hard drive you just purchased only holds 50GB? It happens, folks. There’s a free tool you can use to check if what you bought is what you got. Go to my site for steps. Do this with every drive!
Protect your files! Signs your hard drive is on its last legs and what to do about it
You’re cruising along when, suddenly, your computer starts misbehaving. Webpages are lagging, programs are slow to open, and then (uh oh), the blue screen of death or a spinning wheel.
It could be any number of things, but there’s a chance your trusty hard drive is giving out. “Kim! My files!” Yes, I know that’s what’s on your mind. But stay calm. There are ways to make sure your data remains safe and sound.
Before anything goes wrong
Protection begins with prevention, long before those data alarms can ring.
Regular backups: Imagine never worrying about losing important pictures, videos, work documents and everything else on your computer. Spoiler: You don’t have to stress if you do regular backups. You can do this to an external drive, but cloud backups are easier. Oh, and if you don’t want to think about it, you can always set up automated backups. I recommend IDrive. Use my name and get 90% off the first year.
Scan and repair disk errors: Your computer has built-in ways to make sure nothing is going wrong behind the scenes. Disk Utility for Mac and CHKDSK for Windows can help scan and repair potential disk errors.
Check for updates: Regular system updates bring performance fixes and security enhancements that can save your data. Stop hitting “Remind me later.”
Antivirus and antimalware software: The days of getting by without software to protect your machine are over. Make it a habit to run routine system scans. My pick is TotalAV.
Surge protection: Electrical spikes can wreak havoc on hardware. Investing in a surge protector or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) shields you from that. Your data will thank you later!
Signs that should make you nervous
The early signs of data loss are subtle. Be on the lookout for these warnings.
Unusual sounds: A strange clicking or grinding sound could be a sign something’s amiss, like the read/write heads scraping the hard disk platters. (Only the nerds know what that means.) If you have an SSD, you don’t hear anything, though.
Tech help scam uses a name you know: the Geek Squad
Is your computer running at a snail’s pace? Before you drop a chunk of cash on a new one, clear out some space from the hard drive. Tap or click here to remove the clutter that’s slowing you down.
Sometimes, the problem runs deeper than that. Your computer might not even turn on, or it’s performing erratically. That’s when you may need to reach out for help.
Shopping for a new computer? 3 specs that really matter
We’re all suckers for a good deal. When buying a computer, jumping on a shiny new laptop is tempting if it’s at a great price. While cost is a definite factor, it’s not the only thing you must consider. Need help to find the perfect laptop for you? Tap or click here to take our quiz and find the right one.
Privacy tip: How to wipe what you searched for in your browser and on social media
If you share a computer with others in your household, keeping a surprise vacation or gift a secret can be challenging. Saved searches, in particular, can rat you out.
After all, if your web browser defaults to Expedia every time someone types in an “E,” your plans will be found out. Are you traveling soon? Tap or click here for some travel safety tips. Plus, saved searches eat up memory on your hard drive.
Upgrading to a new computer soon? Don't make this big mistake
Do you have any old tech piling up and collecting dust? If so, you may be thinking about donating or selling it. This is a good idea, especially since gadget prices are skyrocketing. Many people are in the market for a gently used smartphone or computer rather than spending big bucks for a brand-new one.
How much free storage should you have on your computer?
If your computer is slow, check its hard drive. You may need to clear storage space to make your PC run more smoothly. Simply put, your device needs a certain amount of free space to work correctly.
How much free space your computer needs will depend on the brand and model. We’ll give you details in this tech tip. In the meantime, you should also look for signs that your hard drive is failing. Watch for things like strange sounds.
These are hard drives most likely to fail
Many factors can affect your computer’s performance, including viruses and malware. But before you panic, check your hard drive. The closer you get to its maximum capacity, the slower your computer will run. Here’s how much free space you need.
Don't waste money on this tech rip-off on Amazon
Amazon is a great place to buy almost anything you need. There is usually an extensive selection of retailers selling similar items, so the prices are competitive. But every so often, a deal pops up that seemingly beats all others.
If you own one of these external drives, here's why you should update it ASAP
Considering all the components that go into making your computer work, one of the most important is the hard drive. And by extension, it can often be the addition of even more storage through an external drive.
Because if something goes wrong and you don’t have a backup either locally or in the cloud, you could lose important files forever. Tap or click here for three ways to save lost files from a failing hard drive.
How to wipe a hard drive on your Windows PC or Mac
The idea of erasing your entire hard drive can be terrifying. You definitely wouldn’t want to clear your hard drive accidentally, or you’d lose important files, images, and other data forever.
But, there are times when erasing your hard drive is perfectly acceptable and even recommended — like when you need to get rid of an old computer or are selling a laptop you no longer need. You don’t want someone else to have access to your files and other information that could be left on your computer. RELATED: 5 downloads to secure your devices.
4 reasons to upgrade your old PC or Mac - even if it still works
We use computers for everything from checking email, work, school stuff and more. But as your computer ages, it gets more difficult to install new programs and operating system updates. Tap or click here to see how Microsoft ending support for Windows 7 is impacted users.
Free download to recover deleted photos, videos and documents
Sometimes, things seemingly go from bad to worse when you’re dealing with data. It’s easy to mistakenly delete important documents, videos or photos. So, what do you do if you accidentally delete that once in a lifetime moment you captured on video?
Did you recently purchase a 5400 RPM hard drive for your NAS? Not if you bought Western Digital
When you buy a computer or similar piece of hardware, you expect it to work the way that it says on the box. If it isn’t, this can make your purchase seem like a defect (or if its better than advertised, a lucky break). This is especially true for hard drives, which make up the core of our computer’s storage system.
CCleaner for Windows: Is this wildly popular download safe to use?
At Komando.com, we’re crazy about free tools you can use to keep your system clean. It’s hard enough keeping malware and spyware away from your computer as it is, so why make things more difficult by having to pay for such essential tools?
Easily remove old files on your PC with these tools
There will come a time during the life of your PC that you will run out of space — no matter how large the hard drive is. Old files can easily clutter the most spacious hard drive, and you’ll need to clear them out to make room for new stuff. This will not only increase storage space but also improve the performance of your PC.
7 DIY tools for fixing PC problems
Months go by, and Windows works. Then, out of nowhere, your computer slows down. Files don’t open right away. Programs freeze or shut down. Your system probably needs some TLC, but what should you do?
You don’t want to throw away your computer, although if it is slow, doesn’t meet the latest operating system (OS) requirements or is making strange noises, it may be time to say goodbye.
Insider Secret: How to get Windows 10 for free
Windows released its newest operating system, Windows 10, back in July 2015. Since then, it has become a popular OS.
It is constantly updated, and overall has been pretty well received. As of 2018, Windows 10 become more widespread than Windows 7, thereby becoming the most single used Windows version overall.