Purchasing a used computer can save you a lot of money but you have to be certain to inspect the computer rigorously before buying. There is nothing worse than spending a bunch of time getting a new computer all set up, customizing it to your liking, installing all your software on it and transferring all your files to it and having it fail soon after. Below are few of the primary items to check prior to buying a used computer. Purchasing a used laptop or computer is also a perfect way to get a unit loaded with upgrades such as a USB TV tuner for very little or for free.
The hard drive is very important and probably the last component of a computer that you would want to fail. Unfortunately it is tough to inspect the mechanical components of a hard drive before you buy a computer. So a hard drive that will failure very soon may not show any outward signs that it is deteriorating. Hard drive failures can be caused by internal issues such as the needle slipping and scratching the disc which will lead to failure. Hard drive failures can also be caused by heavy wear and tear. One of the most common hard drive components to fail is the read/write head that accesses and writes data to the disk as it spins. Usage makes older hard drives more prone to failure.
Hard drive failures from certain data related issued can be detected and prevented by a full system scan. The scan can detect faulty sectors of the hard disks. The size of hard drive and amount of data on it affect the time it takes to perform a system scan. Performing a disc scan is not difficult but many skip it because it can take a few hours to do a full scan. Skipping a full system scan before buying a computer is not recommended.
Another component to inspect is the central processing unit (CPU). It is possible for the CPU to freeze. Freezing can occur due to overheating. Dust and dirt accumulate on the fan and heat sink which prevents them from keeping the CPU at a safe operating temperature. Inspecting the fan can be as simple as listening to it and looking for excessive dust buildup. An even, low pitched hum is the sound of a fan operating properly. Squeaks or variations in the sound or speed of the fan can indicate problems.
If the computer includes a monitor is should be inspected too. Dull or muted colors are signs that a monitor is near the end of its life. A fluttering picture and any easily discernible noise are worthy of concern as well. The health of a monitor is even more important if the computer has a USB digital TV tuner.
The operating system should also be checked. It is normal for a computer to run slower over time due to software being added and removed from a system or too many programs running in the start folder. A computers registry can slow a computer down as programs that are added and deleted from the computer make changes to the registry. Unfortunately, inspecting a computers operating system is something that only expert computer users can do effectively. It should not take and excessive amount of time to boot up. Ideally, after you purchase a used computer the hard drive will be re-formatted and the operating system and software reloaded.
All other hardware should also be checked. For instance, CD and DVD drives should open and shut easily and your should be able to read and write data to a disk. Other items that should be inspected are the USB TV tuner card, mouse and keyboard.
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