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COMPUTER REPAIR
Before anything else, protect the files on that drive.
Computer won't start? What to check and how to save your files
A computer that will not turn on, gets stuck on the logo or shows a blue screen can be a five minute fix or a failing drive. The most important thing is not to make it worse. Here is what to check, and when to stop and call.
✓ Desktops and laptops★ Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley
The short answer
- Check power first: outlet, power strip, cable and charger light.
- Unplug USB drives, docks and printers, then try again. A connected device can block startup.
- If it starts but gets stuck or blue screens, do not keep restarting it over and over. A failing drive can get worse.
- Clicking or grinding sounds mean stop and call. That is often a failing hard drive.
- Files can usually be recovered first, then we decide whether to repair or replace.
What you see and what it usually means
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Nothing at all, no lights | Power, charger, battery or power supply |
| Lights and fans, black screen | Display, memory or a cable to the monitor |
| Stuck on the logo or spinning dots | Failed update, damaged Windows files or drive problem |
| Blue screen with an error | Driver, update, memory or drive |
| Restarts over and over | Failed update or hardware fault |
| Clicking or grinding | Failing hard drive. Stop using it. |
Safe things to try
- Plug directly into a wall outlet and try a different outlet.
- For laptops, leave the charger connected 30 minutes, then hold the power button for 15 seconds and try again.
- Unplug everything except power, keyboard and mouse.
- Check that the monitor is on and set to the right input.
- If Windows offers Startup Repair, it is safe to let it run once.
Protect your files first
💾Recover firstWe copy files off the drive before trying repairs that could make it worse.
☁Check the cloudOneDrive or a backup may already have your files.
🔧Repair or replaceBased on age, cost and what failed. See when to replace a computer.
🛡Prevent itBackups so the next failure is just an inconvenience. See the 3-2-1 rule.
How WENO handles it
1. DiagnoseWe find out what failed and tell you the cost before any work.
2. Save the dataFiles recovered when possible and kept safe.
3. Repair or replaceDrive, memory, power supply or Windows repair, or a new computer set up and ready.
4. Move everything overFiles, email, printers and programs moved to the repaired or new computer.
Computer down? Your files come first.Local diagnosis, data recovery and repair.
Get my computer looked atGeneral information. Stop and call if you smell burning or hear grinding.