Direct MP3 Download: Podnutz Episode 11: Top 5 Signs of a Computer Meltdown

• Ken Colburn of www.DataDoctors.com joins us!
• Learn some facts about the data recovery business
• 5 Signs your computer is about to have a meltdown
• How buying a franchise may be a good idea if you are interested in the computer repair field.

Show Notes:

• Introduction of Ken Colburn- Founder of www.DataDoctors.com
• How Ken got into the data recovery business
• Data recovery stories could be quite interesting!

5 Symptoms of a Computer Meltdown:

1. Strange Noises emanating from the computer box (grinding, buzzing, clicking or whirring)

• A computer slowing down is usually software related, rather than hardware related so don’t throw your computer out!
• Fan are a common culprit in making noise
• Noise can also come from your hard drive.
• Back up your data frequently!
• Blow the dust out of your computer at least every 6 months.
• Listen for hard drive clicking
• Don’t turn hard drive on and off if is making noise! You only have limited number of tries to get the data off.

2. Extremely slow or incomplete startup or forced “Safe Mode” startup.

• could be too many programs, spyware, or it could be your hard drive.
• Do Crtl-Alt-Del and see how many processes are running. Low to mid 30’s is a good range.
• Use task manager to see if you need RAM

3. Constant Hard Drive Access (the red lignt on the front is constantly on).

• Could be malware/spyware or it could mean FAILING HARD DRIVE

4. The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD).

• Type the exact error into Google to find possible solution.
• Learn how to speak in laymens terms to communicate better to customers, workers, etc…
• Communication is KEY in running a computer repair biz.
• Clear up and get defined words you don’t understand before you continue in a subject.
• Check out Geek Speak section on datadoctors.com

5. Your Hard Drive is getting full.

• When you HD gets full, Windows get cranky.
• Just check HD space and make sure there is enough for Windows to operate. 10-15% free space is pushing your luck.
• See if you computer cam pre-partitioned from factory. We recommend making only one partition.
• Before messing with partitions, make sure you BACK UP!

Ken recommends “The E-Myth” if you are considering starting your own computer repair business.

• Also make sure your communication skills are spot on.
• Consider buying a franchise if you want a roadmap already in place for a business.

Ken’s podcast is called Computer Corner at 92.3 KTAR in Pheonix Arizona , or check out www.cnn.com for his video clips