Most people think that upgrading their computers is going to be easy enough. But that is not the case. Upgrading is not without its pitfalls. There are five mistakes that people commit while upgrading.
- Transferring Data to a new Hard Drive – This is one of the biggest time wasters in the whole process. It can take hours and if the methods are wrong, then it can be a full day task. You cannot use your computer while the transfer is going on. Seagate’s Disc Wizard is a better solution. You install the software on your existing hard drive before you take it out of your PC and connect the new drive to your PC’s USB port with an external enclosure. Run Disc Wizard and copy your entire disc image to the new drive which is known as cloning. When this is done, you can shut down the PC and swap the new drive for the old one complete with your old data exactly as it was
- Updating your PC’s BIOS – The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) are the PC’s most fundamental components. It is the basis firmware that tells the computer how to boot and how to check for connected drives. Manufacturers often update the BIOS software to support new standards, add features and fix bugs. Running msinfo32.exe will bring the system information including your BIOS version and date. Shut down all the programs running on your PC and then run the update utility that you have downloaded from the manufacturer’s website. This utility will reboot the PC, install the update and then reboot again. You will see an immediate difference in the way the screen looks which is a confirmation that you have updated successfully.
- Graphics Card mishaps – Graphics card upgrades are sometimes prone to basic errors. It is because their technologies are changing fast. So, there is a possibility of a wrong bus interface, wrong power connection, wrong size and wrong OS version. Make sure your PC will support the new graphics card. Buy the right interface. Old computers have weak power supplies that are not capable of supporting the latest high powered graphics cards. Check the power rating and the connecting type. Make sure the power supply in your PC adapts to it. Also, make sure that a new GPU card will fit into your PC’s case before you buy it. People with slim PC towers often have problem with this.
- Keeping Windows Genuine Advantage Intact - After your hardware is upgraded, Windows may prompt you to reactivate the OS with Microsoft. This is Microsoft’s way of cutting down on piracy. If certain elements of your configuration change, Windows may ask you to reactivate the license. So, prepare for it in advance by having your Windows activation key and administration password available before you start the upgrade.
- Avoid Common Wi-Fi Upgrade Worries - People buy a wireless router and start using it without changing the system setting or the administrative password. This leaves the network wide open for anybody within wireless range. A secure password is required for the router’s administration account. You may need to upgrade your router's firmware. If you can't recall the last time you updated your router, log into it and look for a tab or menu option like Firmware or Update. Typically, you'll need to click a button to check for new firmware, and then click an option to install a new version if there is one. Leave the router alone while it does its thing, and it will reboot itself automatically when the update is complete.