Below is a question and answer session compiled by our Fort Lauderdale computer repair technicians, regarding some common questions posed by our clients in recent weeks. They may be of some use to you...

Q: I have a home computer that needs to be checked for spyware, ad-ware, viruses. How do I find a reputable company in South Florida or ideally, Broward County? I'd prefer to take the computer in rather than have them come to my home. Which is better?

A: While we hesitate to recommend a specific Broward County or Ft. Lauderdale computer repair service, we do suggest you speak with friends, family and co-workers for a personal recommendation. When selecting a computer repair center or network support service, personal experience is the #1 reference tool you can judge by.

Failing that, ask the computer repair personnel who work at your place of employment (if there are any) for recommendations. As a last resort, it is usually a pretty good indicator what online form users say about their Ft. Lauderdale computer repair experiences. See which places rank well, then if you're still not sure, call and ask them for references. This is important enough to take the extra time and go to the effort.

Q: I took my PC in to a South Florida computer service because it wouldn’t boot. “A file in XP was corrupted” the error message read. The computer repair technician said reformatted the hard drive and reinstalled Windows XP. What caused this and can it be prevented?

A: Unfortunately there's not just one easy, avoidable cause. A hard disk going bad will often lead to the problem. Viruses, and misbehaved programs or a sudden loss of power or a power surge, have also been known to corrupt files. If the repair shop did not recommend a newer hard disk, it may have been a security failure.

Q: Regarding the need to ground yourself from static electricity when working on a computer, does this only apply to touching anything inside the machine, or can harm happen simply by touching the exterior? What do computer support professionals recommend regarding this potential threat?

A: You can usually touch the side of your computer to make sure you discharge static buildup. Grounding straps can be purchased as well if there are particular safety concerns. Computer repair shops in Fort Lauderdale and beyond have found that static is worse in dry climates and in winter, and in carpeted rooms.