Taking good care of your laptop can prevent many problems. If it does go on strike, it’s important to keep calm. There is a solution for many things. It is therefore advisable to make regular backups to also not lose your latest scores at TonyBet.
If you have a laptop, you usually want it to serve you well for a long time. Even if problems are inevitable sooner or later, there are often ways to fix them. Stiftung Warentest has a few tips.
What should be done in any case: Back up the data. If the worst-case scenario occurs and the laptop breaks down, it will be difficult to get hold of all the files. Photos and important documents could be lost.
Keep software up to date
The manufacturer’s customer hotline can also help you with software problems.
If everything no longer works as usual, this may be due to the software. Finding the source of the problem is particularly easy if an error message is displayed. A quick web search with the error message can quickly lead to experience reports and suggested solutions from others. It can also help to contact the customer hotline of the laptop manufacturer, Stiftung Warentest advises.
Important to note: To avoid malware, an antivirus program should be used and the operating system should be up to date.
Protect your hardware well
One of the biggest dangers is a fall. Even from desk height, damage can occur, warns Stiftung Warentest. You have to be particularly careful with the charging cable. If you bump into it or trip over it, the charging socket can be damaged or the notebook can end up on the floor.
If the charging socket is defective, there is still hope. Modern laptops can usually also be charged via a USB-C port. Whether this is possible is usually stated in the data sheet and on the provider’s website. Incidentally, the battery itself can be protected by only ever charging it to around 80 percent. As of Windows 11 and macOS 11, there is also an extra option for this in the settings.
If parts such as the camera, speakers or other functional parts of the notebook are broken, there are also alternative solutions here. Devices can easily be connected to take over these functions. For example, an external webcam can replace the broken built-in camera. It is also possible to use an external keyboard if the keys no longer work.
If in doubt, go to the workshop
Not all defects can be repaired or bypassed so easily. In some cases, only a repair will help. There are two options here. The simplest option is usually to take the laptop to a workshop.
- But if you have a bit of technical know-how, you can also go to a repair café, Stiftung Warentest advises. There, knowledgeable hobbyists help you to repair your own items. The websites repaircafe.org and reparatur-initiativen.de can be used to find out whether there is a repair café near you. If you already know that a new top smartphone is about to be launched on the market – such as a new Samsung or iPhone model – it may be worth waiting for it: you may be able to get the previous model much cheaper on refurbished platforms.
- Don’t buy too old: At some point, there will no longer be any updates or support for old versions of operating systems or software – this can be frustrating or even dangerous. If you are considering an older model, find out about software updates in advance. Tip: To be on the safe side, stick to cell phone models that are no more than two to three years old.
- Find out in advance about possible repairs and spare parts. For popular models, you may be able to get a cheap repair service or battery replacement sooner than for rarer models. Depending on the model, you may still be able to save money despite the possibility of replacing the battery.
- Check the device as soon as you receive it: refurbished cell phones or tablets usually work perfectly and the battery still has plenty of capacity. However, be sure to check whether the display, all buttons and all connections are working and, in the case of models with a removable battery, whether there are any signs of water damage (often indicated by red stickers). You should also check the speakers and camera, all connections (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS) and the fingerprint scanner.
- If you find that something is wrong, you can return the device for two weeks without giving a reason. This is the legal right to cancel online purchases. Some refurbished portals voluntarily offer an even longer right of return.
- There is also the statutory warranty: it applies for one year for used goods from commercial retailers. Within this year, you as the buyer do not have to prove that you are not responsible for the defect. Here, too, some stores offer even longer periods.
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- In the relevant stores, it is now standard for refurbished smartphones to be extensively tested and any defective parts such as batteries or USB connection sockets to be replaced.