When your computer screen is not powering up, don’t worry! It might not be your computer itself but a faulty screen.  Before throwing out the entire laptop, you should assess the damage, take action, and try to salvage what you can.  Your problem may just be a faulty screen, and not the computer itself. Here are some directions on replacing a computer screen for your laptop.

Assessing the Problem

Your first step should be to determine whether or not it’s just the screen that has lost power or whether the entire computer has been affected.  For example, you could have dropped your computer and fractured the screen.  Try plugging into an external computer monitor through the VGA port.

If all you see is gibberish, lines, or maybe even nothing at all, the problem is severe. However, if everything pops up on the screen, it’s good news! Your hard drive and computer are intact and you will be able to access all your data. If it is possible, you can replace the screen (details below). If you cannot replace the screen yourself, take your laptop to a professional to find out if he or she will be able to replace the screen. If not, get the professional to extract your data and input it to a new computer.

Replacing the Screen

When replacing a computer screen, first turn the computer off, remove the battery and power cord and then unscrew the screen from the computer using a small Phillips screwdriver. These screws hold the screen and bezel together. Once the screws are out, you can gently pull the bezel away from the LCD screen. It should not break because it’s generally pliable. Once the bezel is removed, gently take the screen off.  Look for the part number on the screen and order the same type from the manufacturer. Be sure to keep the screws and bezel in a safe place while you await the replacement screen. Once you receive the new screen, attach it to the computer with the bezel and the screws, replace the battery and power cord, and power up the computer. You should be able to see everything and be able to use your laptop normally.

Continuing Problems

If you feel nervous about removing the screen, or if you cannot locate another monitor to check for screen damage, or if it appears that the computer itself is damaged, you should seek professional help.  Use TalkLocal to be put in contact with a reliable local business. All you have to do is input your problem and availability and within minutes TalkLocal will do the rest: you will be connected with an IT service company almost immediately.

The following are the quick and easy steps for PC and Windows users to stop programs from automatically starting up:

1. Click Start >> Run.

2. When the Run text box opens up, type “msconfig” into the word box.

3. Select the Startup tab. Uncheck all the programs that you do not want to start when your computer boots up. Then, select Apply.

Following these steps will allow your computer to turn on and load faster because all the programs will not attempt to run at once. Beware that some of the programs that are running are necessary for your computer to function and must keep running. Use your own discretion when turning off or deleting programs if you are unsure of their functions.

For Mac users, take the following steps to stop programs from automatically starting up:

1. Open up the System Preferences on your Mac by clicking the Apple icon located in the upper left hand corner of your home screen. There you will find the System Preferences selection.

2. From there, select “Accounts” or “Users and Groups” based on which Mac model you have.

3. If you selected “Users and Groups” button on your Mac, move on to step four. If you have the other model of Mac and selected the “Accounts,” then select the programs you want to stop from automatically starting by checking the boxes next to the specific programs and then hitting the subtraction button.

4. In the center right of the next screen that comes up, select “Login Items.”

5. Select the programs you wish to stop from automatically starting. Then, hit the subtraction button.

Additional Help

If you have carried out the above steps and are still having issues with your computer, feel free to contact a computer specialist. Check out TalkLocal! You will be connected directly to professionals right in your neighborhood who can help you out with your problem at a time that works for you.

One of the easiest and most unique ways you can personalize your Windows 7 computer is to change your icons.  You can choose from a variety of different icons that Windows has built into the system, or you can even create your own icons from scratch! Read on to learn how to change icons on Windows 7.

To change your desktop icons:

1. Right click an empty area of the desktop and click Personalize.
2. There should be a “Change desktop icons” link in the upper left corner.
3. Select the icon that you want to change and click Change Icon.
4. Select a new icon or you can hit “Browse” to select something you’ve made from scratch. Remember that if you choose to make or use your own icon, it will need to be in a 256×256 pixel .ico file so that it will display correctly at different resolutions.
* Remember that you can also restore the default icon by clicking the “Restore Default” button in the middle pane of the icon selection screen.

To change a library icon:

1. Open up Notepad or your favorite text editor and drag the icon over from Explorer.
2. You’ll see (or need to add) the iconReference line that should look like this:

<iconReference>C:\Windows\System32\shell32.dll</iconReference>

The path to the icon file (.ico) should go between the two iconReference tags.

Additional help

If you’re still confused about how to change your icons, or if the above instructions didn’t work for you, you can always contact a local IT professional to change your icons for you!  TalkLocal can instantly connect you to three high quality local computer repair professionals. Best of all, the three companies will be able to accommodate your busy time schedule and cater to your specific location. You’ll be personalizing your desktop to your heart’s content very soon because TalkLocal finds you help in just minutes!

You should remove a Trojan horse virus as soon as you can after you realize it has infected your computer. Trojan horse viruses attach themselves from the Internet onto programs within your computer and penetrate the infrastructure of your computer. The following are a few helpful tips when it comes to protecting and maintaining a safe computer.

– Avoid getting a Trojan horse by using caution and discretion with the websites that you click. Do not link to random websites or cruise sites that look fishy. Take extra precaution by having a secure wireless connection. Check out this helpful link for more information about how to remove a Trojan horse virus from your computer.

– Do not download the “exclusive” videos that you can only find on one site. Most likely, it is a fraud and will download a bug onto your computer. Chances are if the content seems to be one of a kind, then it is only titled that way to get your attention and draw you into downloading the fake link.

– If you have to turn off your protection to enter into a trusted site or download a secure file, remember to return your security settings to full protection after you have finished your task.

– Remove the registry files that have been infected along with the .exe files. If you are removing registry files, do some research beforehand and consult the professionals for help. If you accidentally remove the wrong files, these actions can seriously damage your computer. For more help, check out TalkLocal. TalkLocal is a local service search engine that can direct you to a top-rated computer specialist right in your neighborhood. Within minutes you will be speaking to a professional who can help you at the time that is most convenient for your schedule. Try it out!