Our own Ken Palmer spoke with our parent company, JD Young Technologies, to discuss some of the ways you can protect yourself from computer viruses.
Conversation contents:
00:38 – How to tell if your computer is infected with a computer virus.
01:13 – The ways you can acquire a computer virus.
01:48 – Website visits versus phishing email schemes as a way of getting computer viruses.
02:42 – The impact of COVID-19 and computer virus transmission/infection.
03:22 – How to remove computer viruses from your system.
03:48 – How to keep your computer free of computer viruses.
Professional Computer Repair in Tulsa, OK
Whether your laptop screen remains blank or is experiencing any other problems, you can trust the friendly professional computer repair technicians from Geeks to the Rescue — located at 61st and Memorial in Eton Square between Pet Supplies Plus and Aldi.
Whether you were using your laptop for a task or just opened it, being greeted by a blank screen while you know the laptop is running is more than troubling. Before you toss the entire thing out of the window, let’s do a bit of troubleshooting to see if you can isolate the problem before seeking out professional computer repair.
Two Possible Quick Fixes
Possible Quick Fix 1. Check your screen brightness.
What looks like a blank or dead screen may simply be a screen brightness setting that has been accidentally pushed all the way to one side or the other. You should be able to adjust the screen brightness using keys on your laptop’s keyboard.
Possible Quick Fix 2: Reboot your computer.
A reboot can remedy a wide variety of computer issues.
If those two issues didn’t remedy your blank screen issue, let’s get to the bottom of the problem with some troubleshooting!
Step 1. Check to see if the laptop screen is indeed blank — devoid of all colors.
The presence of other colors may denote a different issue entirely. Suppose you see a white screen or possibly a variety of randomly assorted colors. In that case, there’s a better chance that you’re looking at a problem with your video card — a fix that would require the attention of a computer repair specialist.
Step 2. Listen for any activity happening with the laptop to isolate the issue to the screen.
There is a vast difference between a laptop with screen issues and one that simply will not power up. Listen closely for any indication that the computer is running. Some solid-state drive (SSD) laptops may run extremely quietly due to the lack of a spinning hard drive. However, there is still likely some audible indication that the computer is running — possibly even sound coming from the device’s speakers.
If you hear nothing and no other lights come on, it may not be that it’s only your screen that isn’t working but that the entire computer is failing to power up.
Step 3. Take note of when the screen goes blank.
At what point in using your laptop screen goes blank can say a lot. If you reboot the computer, it starts up fine, and then the screen goes dark shortly after bootup may indicate an operating system (OS) issue such as a corrupt file.
If this is the case with a PC, this may be an issue with the loading of the Windows operating system — which may possibly be resolved by reinstalling Windows.
If your laptop display screen went blank during use, it might simply be overheating. If you notice that your laptop screen shuts off as the computer gets hot to the touch, this is likely the case. Many laptops will automatically shut off the graphics process unit (GPU) upon overheating. The cause for overheating may range from debris gumming up the components or a faulty cooling fan.
Sometimes, blowing out the inside of the laptop with canned air can remove any insulating debris, causing heat retention. However, if this gaining access to these compartments on your laptop requires tools, you’re likely better off leaving this to the computer repair professionals. Even if it seems within your abilities, untrained disassembly of any computer components may result in accidentally shorting out specific circuits or damage due to electrostatic shock.
Step 4. Rule out a motherboard issue with an external monitor hookup.
If you have access to a standalone monitor or external display, see if hooking if connecting it allows you to use the laptop’s computer through it. Most laptops will have a USB, HDMI, or Firewire connection that enables you to connect them to a secondary display or even a television.
If connecting to a secondary monitor works, there’s a high likelihood that there is just an issue with your display and nothing else — perhaps a loose or damaged connection.
If your computer still fails to fire up using a secondary monitor, there’s a high likelihood of a graphics or motherboard issue.
What to do now?
If none of the more simple fixes (rebooting, screen brightness settings, debris blow-outs, or OS reinstallation) don’t do the trick, your best bet is to bring in your laptop to a computer repair professional. Fortunately, because of your troubleshooting, you may save a decent amount on labor due to reduced time helping them diagnose the issue.
Professional Computer Repair in Tulsa, OK
Whether your laptop screen remains blank or is experiencing any other problems, you can trust the friendly professional computer repair technicians from Geeks to the Rescue — located at 61st and Memorial in Eton Square between Pet Supplies Plus and Aldi.
