Software Installations
Many laptop repairs and desktop repairs originate with faulty software installation. It's not as simple as sliding in a disc and reacting to the prompts no matter what the sales clerk tells you; they are there to sell software and hardware, not educate you about the potential pitfalls of installing those products. However, here are a few pointers about do-it-yourself installation that should save you frustration and the possible expense of desktop repairs or laptops repairs due to botched software installation.
Whether you buy a software package from a brick and mortar store or download it from the internet it is important that you pay attention to the minimum requirements of the software. For instance, many programs require a minimum of 128 megabytes of RAM (random access memory) and if you have an older machine with only 64 MB of RAM the software will not be able to function. Installing software that requires Windows XP will not work with Vista. If you get an error during or after installation it doesn't necessarily mean that a laptop repair or desktop repair is needed but that your computer may not meet the minimal requirements of the software. Checking before you install will safe you a lot of headaches!
Before starting to install any software it is a good idea to shut down any programs you may have running. Email, an open browser, an instant messenger or other program might interfere with the installation or slow it down considerably. If your software is slow to install, be patient; it may take awhile because it might have to install other programs or utilities in order to run. Some software will ask you to reboot directly after installation and having all your other programs and tasks shut down make this faster and easier.
Before you install new software you should make sure your video, audio and motherboard drivers are up to date. Go to the manufacturer website and make sure you have the latest version—many sites will analyze your needs and automatically give you the latest updates./
If you haven't defragged for awhile, do it before installing new software. This frees up space and will put all your files in organized fashion so there's less chance of your new software having problems.
It's not hard these days to install most software packages. Once you insert the CD or download the software you will be following a series of prompts, screen after screen of options. As you check the "okay" boxes on the prompt screens, watch out for unwanted features and additional software installations! Read each screen carefully; many have pre-checked boxes which will install toolbars or additional software that you may not want or initiate an upgrade that you don't want to purchase. You may even have to have desktop repairs or laptop repairs to remove such programs.
Most of us prefer getting things for free rather than paying for them and getting software is no exception. There are many great free programs online available for download but make sure the one you're looking at is legitimate! Many free programs are modified forms of licensed software and those modifications can contain malware that will send you to your local shop for laptop repairs or desktop repairs!
urself getting errors during or after installing software or just hitting a snag trying to operate the new programs, give us a call at 369 Computers. Our professional computer engineers are experts at laptop repairs and desktop repairs but are also available to answer questions you might have about installing software.
