The Problem Is In The Bleedin' Chair!

This is my diagnosis for many computers that come my way.
Most problems I find are caused by 2 things.

• Mechanical failiure
• User error. 

I am yet to come across a computer that has a fault or issue outside of these 2 areas of causes.
When I talk to people about how their computer has gone wrong, and how they could of prevented it I often get 'oh, I never knew that'. When in my eyes the basics should come under 'common sense'. The stuff that people should know when owning a computer. You can't take a driving test in the UK now, without knowing how to put oil in, checking water or filling with fuel. So why aren't people told how to keep a computer running smoothly? People get spam emails telling them that they need a bigger penis, or that there are women in town wanting no strings sex, and that their bank account will be stopped if they don't use this online service for only $99 per month. It is surprising the amount of people that don't realise that these things are spam. And these emails are rife. I have a 14 year old hotmail account which still gets around 1,000 spam emails a week. Yet a simple action once a week will banish these forever.
It isn't just the software maintenance, hardware maintenance is overlooked often as well. I was once asked by a friend to investigate why her 6 year old computer was so slow. When I got there and turned it on, I thought a Hercules aircraft was about to take off from the desk. The fans spun so fast I could not hear the telly. Opened it up and 6 years of dust and shit was nearly solid inside. I have seen people clean LCD monitors with scotchbrite, then wonder why the picture is dull.
And my biggest bug bear, the people that get a new router from their isp, and insist on putting the disc in their computer and installing the half a gig or so of useless crap that they do not need. They just don't realise that all they need to do is connect the lead from the router to the computer. (Or connect the wireless).

So this is a start to what I hope will be a long, helpful, well written and hopefully light hearted and humourous blog.

P.S. I have a bit of a pet hate when it comes to computers made by Dell. This is a personal thing, and is not meant to effect the company or your decision to buy one in any way.

P.P.S. I have just noticed that the spell checker is American. As I can't find the English one, and before your criticise my spelling. Balls to you, my spelling is correct.