Naples Computer Support
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Do It Yourself
Our recommendations for upgrading or repairing your existing computer
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Remove your existing hard drive and insert it into an external drive enclosure to enable access to all your existing data
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Replace the hard drive with a quality SSD Drive (right now a 1 Terabyte SSD is the best value)
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Replace the RAM to the maximum your computer can use (recommend at least 16 GB)
Before You Begin
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Determine the type of hard drive and the maximum amount of RAM your computer can use
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Decide to upgrade the hard drive / SSD or both SSD & RAM
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Make sure you have the right tools, hardware & Anti-Static Mat
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Create accounts with the big three and take advantage of the free cloud storage
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Backup your whole documents, pictures, videos, and any other important folders
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Create a list of all software that needs to be re-installed and make sure you have the media or info needed to re-install it. (Microsoft Office, Quick Books etc.)
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Create a bootable USB Flash drive and make sure your computer boots to it
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Log into all browsers you use (Chrome, Edge, Safari etc.)
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Write down your user id and password for important apps and web sites
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Find the make and model of your computer (Take a picture of the label underneath the computer)
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Go To Youtube.com, search for your make and model and type in “BIOS Boot Order”
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While in YouTube search for your make and model and type in “upgrade to SSD”
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Purchase a new SSD Drive (SATA 2.5 inch or NVME)
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Purchase new RAM (Example DDR3 or DDR4) (Go to Crucial.com to find RAM that fits in your computer)
Ready Steady Go
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Follow the YouTube instructions to remove the covers and the existing drive
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Install the new SSD Drive into the computer
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Install the old drive into the new External Drive Enclosure
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Replace the cover(s)
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Boot to the Windows Media Boot USB Flash Drive
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Follow the screens and install a new version of windows
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Connect to your WiFi router
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Install all important updates
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Re-install all your applications
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Connect the external drive enclosure and copy all important data files to the new SSD
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Re-install drivers for your printer & scanner
The whole process takes between two and four hours depending on the amount of data
01
Determine your needs
Recently, most manufacturers started using a type of hard drive / SSD called an NVME drive. In the past they used SATA style drives, for laptops they used 2.5 inch drives and 3.5 inch drives on desktop models. It is important to know what type of drive is in your computer.
02
Before You Begin
BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP!
Backup to the cloud
03
Performing The Upgrade
Each computer is different and it is important that you know the exact make and model number of the computer you are trying to repair. If you need help we are available to assist you and offer several different ways to help you complete the job.
04
Finishing The Upgrade
If you take our advise and remove your existing hard drive and insert it into an external drive enclosure you will always have access to your existing files including data, pictures, videos etc. If you install an SSD type drive and do a fresh installation of Windows your computer will be several times faster than it was when it was new. If you install at least 16Gb of RAM, your computer will be optimized for many more years of use.
