Lisa Kanarek
Do you have a computer geek within reach?
A few weeks ago while I was walking to my home office carrying my MacBook, I fell and landed on top of it. From that graceful experience I learned something very important: make sure you have a good computer person in your back pocket.
You never know when you'll need to fix your computer.
It turns out I’d cracked my LCD screen and a guy at the Apple Store told me Apple could fix it for $750. Really? I could buy a new Mac for a few hundred dollars more.
As I left the Apple store I remembered I’d met a Mac consultant, Chelanie Israel (aka Miss Mac), a few years ago. I went home, called Miss Mac and told her about my cracked screen. She said that she could replace the screen but it would be cheaper to send my laptop to Powerbook Medic. Someone who gives up business to help a client save money is at the top of my list. After I thanked her one too many times—I was going to save $500—she said that if I needed help again, she knew I’d call. She’s right.
Whether you use a small computer support service, a national chain like Geek Squad, or even a local high school kid to fix your computer, keep your computer guru’s phone number nearby. You never know when you’re going to need help with your computer, especially if your klutz ratio is as high as mine!
It was very lucky that’s all that happened. Laptops and portable devices offer excellent portability but they also bring a liability to the small business owenr.
Often times when laptops are dropped the hard drives are jarred destroying the ability to access the information on it. Very important to 1) have a good backup 2) have a good tech and 3)Encrypt your data – espescially those of us who have portable devices such as laptops and thumb/usb drives.
Laptop theft is prevelant and the last survey I saw by the Computer Security Institute and the FBI stated that the average cost of a stolen laptop was $47,107 Purchasing a new laptop is the least of your worries…it’s that data so make sure to backup NOW!!!
The reason you want to encrypt your data is if your laptop does go missing your not liable for any personal information as it is protected. Additionally it protects your big ideas, pricelists, and other sensitive information.
As for anyone else who might experience a laptop screen failure, here’s a little tip so you can keep using it till you can get it fixed.
Almost all laptops have an additional plug in the back for an external monitor. If you don’t have a monitor most newer T.V.’s will work (which btw is a great way of showing family pictures from your computer)or go to a 2nd hand store and buy an old one for a few bucks. Check your manual and it will explain how to enable the 2nd screen. Most laptops have a “Function key” usually marked “Fn” which is usually located near the left of the space bar. Notice the color – now look on your keyboard for a key with the same color and a picture of 2 boxes or a “crt/lcd” (usually it’s located on one of the number keys) hold the function key down and tap that key. Although not portable it will give you access to your system till you can get it repaired.
Lisa…in the big picture glad it’s only the computer that got hurt and your okay.