Some of the most common computer issues can be simply repaired by the user. Here we list several of the computer issues we hear most, along with a tip on how to fix it yourself. Along with technical issue, comes the mystery jargon that descrips the commputer issue. Mastering just a handful of definitions may help people bridge the gap of communication and broaden understanding. Be sure to keep an eye out for more helpful tips and terms that we will continue to add. Computer Running Slow?Hard drives eventually become fragmented with daily use, meaning that files are scattered and stored in various locations, rather than being neatly lined up on the drive. This can cause the system to run slowly and to experience processing problems. Hence, it's important to "defrag" your hard drive, basically reorganizing the files correctly so your computer can access them more quickly. You should see a general improvement of retrieval time and overall performance. Tech Tip: Run a disk defragmenter . If you are on a windows machine, go to your start menu, select systems tools and then select "Disk Defragmenter" and let it run. Tech Tip: Did you know that the most common computer problems are resolved with a simple reboot? Try this first before getting frustrated. What is a URL?A majority of Americans own computers, yet the average user doesn't know what 'URL' stands for (it's Uniform Resource Locator, by the way -- a fancy term for an Internet address). HTTP, or Hypertext Transfer Protocol, is the standard prefix used for website addresses. HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure), on the other hand, signals that the website you have visited is secure. Tech Tip: When browsing bank, credit card or shopping websites online, for example, look for 'HTTPS' before entering any sensitive information. Tech Tip: Your web cache stores all your web browsing information. You should clear your cache every so often to free up space on your hard drive and help protect your privacy. | 
