Maintaining Your IT System

5. Tackling Hardware Problems

Today's PCs are modular designs. Components are designed to be replaced, not repaired. You should be able to replace many of the common components inside a PC yourself (but see 1.3 about invalidating warranties).

5.1 Many major components - disk drives, network adapters, and so on - are relatively easy to replace.

• However, if your PC is outside its warranty, it is often more cost-effective to purchase a new one than to replace faulty components.

5.2 Make sure you order a compatible part from your supplier.

• If your PC is over a year old, it may be worth installing an upgraded component (eg a larger hard disk) instead of a direct replacement. Do not buy without a definite assurance that the new part will be compatible with your system.

5.3 If you are attempting to fix a critical piece of hardware, it may be best to call in an expert.

• They can provide a fast, guaranteed repair and peace of mind.

5.4 The principal ways to improve a PC's performance are to upgrade the memory (RAM) and the central processor (CPU).

• Adding more RAM can have a dramatic effect on system speed and should usually be your first step.
• Upgrading the processor can be done if your PC's motherboard is capable of supporting a faster chip.
• These upgrades should only be attempted if you have previous experience working on PCs. RAM and CPU components are easily damaged by static.
• A RAM or CPU upgrade may only buy you an extra year or so, making it more economical to replace the whole PC.