What to Do about Your Shattered Smartphone Screen

What to Do about Your Shattered Smartphone Screen

At Target PC Repair, we have seen our fair share of shattered smartphone screens. Smartphones get dropped, kicked, stepped on, sat on, run over… and, well, just about any bad thing that could happen to a smartphone screen generally will.

If you find your smartphone to be in the unfortunate situation of having a damaged screen, you have a few options. Here’s what you can do about your shattered smartphone screen:

1. Ignore It

Nobody relishes the thought of having an ugly crack or series of cracks running through their smartphone screen. That is especially true if it is a new device that just got damaged.

That said, in many cases, the phone and touchscreen are otherwise still functional. If you find yourself short on funds, and your phone still works, you can always grin and bear it for the time being.

2. Borrow One

A lot of people have an older smartphone kicking around that they no longer use. Do you have a favor to cash in with a friend or a family member? Perhaps you could borrow their unused device until you have the funds available to repair or replace your damaged device.

3. Replace It

You have a couple of different options here. For example, if your contract with your wireless carrier is about to renew, you may be eligible for an early upgrade.

If not, you could always explore buying a used replacement. eBay and Amazon might have something suitable, and you might even be able to get a few dollars back for selling your used device with a shattered smartphone screen. As a last resort online, you could always check out what’s on Craigslist.

If you would prefer to search for a replacement device offline, most of us have a local electronics store that sells gently used items. This is scraping the bottom of the barrel, but you could always try a local pawn shop, a flea market, or even a yard sale.

Finally, if all else fails, you could simply bite the bullet and buy a new smartphone outright… although that isn’t likely to be a very budget-friendly option, it might be the easiest.

4. Repair It

If you know how to, or you wish to learn by watching amateur tutorial videos on YouTube, you could attempt to replace your own smattered smartphone screen.

This can be a very cost-effective option if done correctly, although in many cases it works out to be more expensive than paying a professional to replace it the first time. If you cause further damage when replacing your smartphone screen, or install the replacement screen incorrectly, you may still need to pay a professional to clean up the mess you made.

If you are going to repair it, you would be best to bring it to a professional the first time.

Should you happen to live near Cleveland, Ohio, we would be happy to serve you at Target PC Repair. You can call us at (440) 725-0642, contact us online, or just drop by our shop in Willoughby, Ohio.

Peform Regular Computer Maintenance to Avoid Issues

Peform Regular Computer Maintenance to Avoid Issues

When regular computer maintenance doesn’t occur, you may begin to notice a decline in system performance.

Regular computer maintenance is crucial to keeping your system running smoothly, quickly, and protecting it against unwanted security threats.

In this short guide, we will review a few regular computer maintenance basics you can easily perform on your PC.

Keeps Windows Updated

For nearly two decades, Microsoft has been keeping us notified of important system updates. In fact, you may see the Windows Update icon pop up in your system tray advising you of recommended updates.

To ensure reliable and secure system performance, it is best that you install all updates Microsoft recommends. In fact, you would be wise to enable automatic updates to prevent missing anything critical.

Keep Your Security Software Updated

First thing is first… you do have spyware and antivirus programs installed, right?

If not, be sure to invest in name brand security software. This is an important step in regular computer maintenance, as malicious security threats are easier to prevent than remove.

Make sure that your security software is running at all times, especially while you’re browsing the web or using any other internet-based applications.

Most security software will include automatic updates; however, to be on the safe side, it is a good idea to double check weekly that your software is up-to-date.

Keep Your Applications Updated

Many popular software applications, such as Skype and iTunes, will issue frequent updates. Although these updates are sometimes for functional reasons, they often contain security updates, as well.

If an application prompts you to update it, do so without delay.

You may otherwise find yourself at risk for various viruses or security threats.

Uninstall Unused Applications

If you have installed an application, and you no longer use it, be sure to uninstall it. This is also a good idea for any expired demos, trials, or preloaded software that came with your PC at the time of purchase.

Regular computer maintenance is as much about protecting your system against malicious threats as it is keeping clear of clutter. Each installed application adds entries to your system registry, which can lead to performance problems over time.

Also, your web browser stores temporary files, cookies, and other content that wastes precious disk space. Be sure to clear your history and cache from time to time for optimal system performance.

Defragment Your Hard Drive

Although most of us know that regularly defragmenting a hard drive will lead to improved system speeds, most people do not do it regularly.

In some cases, your Windows operating system may automatically do this for you each week. Still, if you don’t remember manually initiating a defragmentation in recent history, you would be wise to ensure it has happened.

Defragmenting your hard drive is an important part of regular computer maintenance as it streamlines the files on your hard drive, making them quicker and easier to read and access.

If you are diligent about regularly performing updates and other computer maintenance, yet you still find your PC to be sluggish, it may be time to get a professional opinion.

Contact or call the team at Target PC Repair at (440) 725-0642 to discuss the system challenges you are experiencing.

9 Signs You Have a Computer Virus

9 Signs You Have a Computer Virus

If you’re looking for signs you have a computer virus, chances are you already do. The reason you are searching for this information is most likely because your computer is behaving in an unusual way.

Computers are designed to function in predictable and linear patterns. Once you begin observing abnormal activity, you may already be infected.

While there is no sure way to determine whether or not you have a virus from a blog post alone, any of the following nine points are probable signs you have a computer virus.

1. Phantom Hardware

Watch for your hardware operating on its own without you commanding it to. This may include your printer printing or your CD-ROM drive opening.

These are both strong signs you have a computer virus.

2. Slow Performance

Depending on what you are doing with your computer, you may experience slower processing times with certain tasks.

If, however, you find your entire system is performing abnormally slow with even the most basic of tasks, you may have a virus.

3. Difficult Startups

If your computer has recently started taking an abnormally long time to start up, or presents you with unfamiliar content while it is starting up, you may also have a virus.

4. Frequent Crashes

Yes, computers will freeze or crash from time-to-time. What you want to look for in this instance is frequent crashes, often occurring every few minutes.

This is potentially more dangerous if it seems that your computer crashes when you are not using it.

5. Missing Files

The absence of critical files – the kind that power your applications or operating system – is one of many telltale signs you have a computer virus.

This is also true in the event that your personal documents or files seemingly vanish.

6. Inaccessible Disks

Are a number of your disk drives missing?

Worse, perhaps they are visible but you are unable to access them?

Both of these scenarios could be caused by an unwanted virus.

7. Unusual Files

Should you find files you don’t recognize, do not open them. This is especially true in the case of applications.

An easy way to tell is by monitoring your hard drive usage. If it inexplicably tripled in used storage overnight, that is not a good sign.

8. Excessive Popup Windows

Aside from popup windows being annoying, they can also be a sign of a virus. This is especially true if they open when you are not actively using your web browser.

9. Strange Error Messages

Strange error messages refers not only to obvious ads, but may also include garbled text and gibberish.

It is a common scam to install a virus on computers that indicates that you have a system issue – and the only way to correct it is by buying whatever product the error message is selling.

Please do not comply with whatever these fake warning messages tell you to do.

“I Believe I Have a Virus…”

Over the past nearly two decades, Target PC Inc. has seen its fair share of laptop and desktop computer viruses.

If you believe your computer may have a virus, it is best that you discontinue using it. Contact us right away, or call (440) 725-0642 for immediate service.