Even if you're not a certified Fort Lauderdale computer repair expert, you may be able to cure your computer problems yourself.

You never know if you don't try, at least. Here's a list of four easy steps to take to at least get yourself on the right track.

1. Take Control. Before spending any money on Fort Lauderdale computer repair, look for help online to remedy a problem. a plethora of online forms offer more knowledgeable advice than you think, especially for software issues. If you believe a problem to be hardware-related, call the manufacturer to see if it is covered under warranty.

2. Get a referral. Training and credentials vary so much from one computer repair source to the next that your best bet is to get a recommendation from someone. Before agreeing to any service, ask how long the company will guarantee its work and what, if anything, the follow-up visits will cost. A lot of times, they'll cost plenty, too. Whether you are going with a big chain or the smallest of Ft. Lauderdale computer services, they should give you a free price quote up front. Get the rundown from the very beginning prior to signing on with a company, because their supposedly sweet offers quickly turn sour if you don't read the fine print a lot of the time.

3. Keep out intruders. If your system has slowed to a crawl, it may be spyware - stealth software that installs itself on your PC or Mac to track your Internet usage. Get rid of this if you are infected, and (while it's easier said than done) try to avoid being stricken with spyware or malware in the first place.

4. Consider insurance. Especially if you have a laptop, it's worth strong consideration. Some Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton computer repair firms estimate that there's nearly a 50 percent chance your laptop will need repair in the first 3-4 years in which you own it. Among the top laptop wreckers: accidental damage and meltdown from a power surge. Those woes, generally, are not covered by most manufacturers' warranties. Insurance, while it costs you something up front, could keep you up and running even after a disaster.