Most of us can’t get through the day without getting on a computer for one reason or another. Some of us make our living sitting behind a computer screen; others simply unwind after a busy day by surfing the web or playing games. While computer are cheaper than ever, and tend to last longer than they did in the past, they are still computers and they are still susceptible to breaking.

What Causes a Computer to Break?

There are a few things that can happen to a computer that cause them to stop function. First, hardware can burn out and cause problems as it goes through its death rattles. For example, a graphics card (the piece of hardware that handles high end graphics processing) may start to exhibit strange things on the screen. It may be very minor at first, but over time it will get worse until it gets to a point that the card no longer works. The most common issue is often caused by software problems and viruses. These issues can be thrown together into the same generalization because they can be fixed in a similar way.

Online computer repair companies are out there to ensure that you have access, sometimes around to clock, to computer technicians that can fix the problems with your computer without having to visit your home. Generally this is done by connecting to your computer and taking control of all the functionality that you are used to. This allows a highly trained professional to go over all of the files and issues that are occurring and work on finding the root issue. Sometimes they need to make a minor fix, other times they will need to spend hours at a time on the computer. Fortunately, in most cases, you won’t need to sit there for the entire time while the computer is worked on.

How Do They Access the Computer?

Depending on the company you use, you may find that you’ll need to download some specific software which will act as a virtual desktop for your online computer repair technician. They will guide you through the entire process and since you don’t lose the view of your computer screen, you can ensure that they don’t get into anything you don’t want them in. Generally, they will spend a little bit of time setting you up and teaching you how to give you access to the computer, and then just answer questions as you have them.

The best online computer repair technicians will use a VOIP program like Skype, or a simple phone call, to stay on the line with you and help you understand what they are doing. This will give you peace of mind and a little extra knowledge as they show you and explain the steps that they are taking to fix your issues.

Payments are generally handled through PayPal or a credit card, but prices will vary a great deal from one company to the next. You want the most talented people to work on your issue, so make sure you do a little research (if your computer lets you search the web at that point) into the different companies you look for. You’ll find plenty out there, and their prices will vary based more on their own reasons than based on the quality of their technicians. A cheaper company isn’t a sign of a bad technician, it may just be a sign of a more established and experienced group of technicians that can generally get the work done quicker and have a wider client base. A little research will go a long way, but finding someone to do repairs for you online will ensure that even the most serious problems can be fixed and that will keep your computer living a longer, healthier life.

Christian Teeples is a tech geek and a student at an online university. He enjoys spending his time working on computers and playing video games. When he isn’t plugged in, you can find him outside walking his dog, or hanging out with his friends.