A black screen after login. Apps suddenly crashing. A desktop that looks completely wiped.

This week on The Computer Repair Academy Podcast, Jeremy tackles three Windows problems that look catastrophic at first — but aren’t always as bad as they seem.

In the Tech News Report, we cover recent Windows update issues involving black screens and desktop-loading problems, app and game crashes tied to Dolby Digital audio, and a File History backup bug that left some users thinking their backups were broken.

Then on the Repair Bench, we troubleshoot a PC that logs into a black screen, a machine with applications crashing after an update, and a customer who thinks all their files are gone when Windows actually loaded a temporary profile.

This week’s Product Feature is Hiren’s BootCD PE, a powerful bootable recovery environment packed with tools for diagnostics, drive health, data recovery, imaging, and system repair.

Finally, from the Office Desk, we talk about why technicians shouldn’t jump straight to reinstalling Windows — and how proper diagnosis can save customer data, software, settings, and hours of unnecessary work.

Whether you’re learning computer repair, working as a technician, running your own shop, or just trying to figure out what Windows is doing, this episode is packed with practical troubleshooting advice you can use right away.

Snag Hiren's BootCD here: https://www.hirensbootcd.org/

#ComputerRepair #Windows11 #WindowsTroubleshooting #PCRepair #WindowsRecovery #HirensBootCD #TechPodcast #ComputerRepairAcademy #WindowsProblems #TechTips

This week on The Computer Repair Academy Podcast, we’re diving into network problems that can bring a home or business to a standstill.

In the Tech News Report, Jeremy covers a critical MikroTik RouterOS vulnerability, a maximum-severity flaw affecting an older D-Link router, and an actively exploited Cisco SD-WAN security issue.

Then On the Repair Bench, we troubleshoot a few different network problems.

This week’s Product Feature is a Windows utility that acts like a historical Task Manager and helps you look back at CPU, GPU, memory, disk, temperature, and application activity after a problem has already happened.

Snag AppControl here: AppControl - Advanced Task Manager with History

Finally, from the Office Desk, we talk about how computer repair businesses can turn networking into a real professional service by documenting equipment, building repeatable network offerings, and maintaining customer environments properly.

If you work in computer repair, IT, networking, or just want to understand why your network keeps acting up, this episode is packed with practical troubleshooting tips and real-world lessons.

Want to learn Computer Repair at your own pace? Join Computer Repair Academy Skool: https://www.skool.com/computer-repair-academy-3750

#ComputerRepair #Networking #NetworkTroubleshooting #WiFi #Ethernet #RouterSecurity #ITSupport #TechPodcast #ComputerRepairAcademy #AppControl

In Episode 6 of The Computer Repair Academy Podcast, Jeremy tackles printer problems from both the repair bench and the security side of IT. In the Tech News Report, we cover serious PaperCut vulnerabilities, AI-assisted attacks targeting print-management systems, and a massive Microsoft security update that included numerous Windows printing flaws.

Then On the Repair Bench, we troubleshoot three classic printer headaches: a network printer that suddenly appears offline, a completely jammed print queue, and a laser printer with terrible print quality that didn’t actually need replacing.

This week’s Product Feature is Hasleo Backup Suite Free, a powerful Windows backup utility with system, disk, file, scheduled, and recovery options.

Finally, From the Office Desk, we ask an important business question: should computer repair shops actually repair printers, or focus on setup, networking, driver issues, and business printer support instead?

If you work in computer repair, IT, networking, or just have a printer that seems determined to ruin your day, this episode is for you.

#ComputerRepair #PrinterTroubleshooting #PCRepair #TechPodcast #WindowsTips #PrinterRepair #ComputerRepairAcademy #ITSupport #HasleoBackup #TechTips

What happens when a hard drive fails, important files disappear, or a computer suddenly asks for a BitLocker recovery key?

In Episode 5 of Season 3, Jeremy dives into data loss, backups, storage failures, and recovery — and explains why the first few decisions you make can determine whether important files are recoverable at all.

In the Tech News Report, we cover Dropbox account security, a serious vulnerability affecting a popular WordPress backup plugin, and a Windows update that caused desktop settings to disappear for some users.

Then On the Repair Bench, we tackle three very different data-loss situations: an external hard drive full of family photos that Windows can no longer access, an accidentally deleted folder, and a BitLocker recovery screen locking a customer out of their data.

This week’s Product Feature is the Sabrent dual-bay SATA docking station, a practical tool for accessing, cloning, and transferring data from customer drives.

Finally, From the Office Desk, we discuss why data-recovery jobs need clear expectations, proper authorization, and a professional process for protecting both the customer and the repair business.

Check out AOMEI Backupper here: https://prf.hn/l/rGEDa9O/

Want to learn Computer Repair at your own pace?

Join Computer Repair Academy Skool: https://www.skool.com/computer-repair-academy-3750

#ComputerRepair #ComputerRepairAcademy #PCRepair #TechPodcast #Windows11 #PCTroubleshooting #TechNews #ComputerTips #RepairBusiness #TechTips #Podcast

*Some product links may be affiliate links which means if you buy something we may receive a small commission from that affiliate. This is a great way to support the channel and it is no added expense to you! We will never promote a product that we have not personally used or believe in. Thank you for your trust!

Think your computer has been hacked? This week on The Computer Repair Academy Podcast, we’re diving into malware, scams, compromised accounts, and some of the security threats technicians are seeing right now.

In the Tech News Report, Jeremy breaks down fake CAPTCHA attacks that trick users into running malicious commands, browser extensions that can steal credentials, and serious UniFi security vulnerabilities affecting network equipment.

Then, On the Repair Bench, we tackle three real-world security problems: a PC infected through a fake CAPTCHA, an email account that kept sending suspicious messages even after the password was changed, and a customer who accidentally gave a fake “Microsoft Support” technician remote access to their computer.

This week’s Product Feature is NordVPN, where we look at what a VPN actually does, where it fits into a broader security strategy, and why it’s useful without treating it like a magic security solution.

Finally, From the Office Desk, we talk about one of the most important responsibilities in computer repair: protecting customer data and creating a clear data-handling policy for your shop.

So whether you’re a home user, technician, IT professional, or repair business owner, this episode is packed with practical security lessons, repair advice, and real-world takeaways you can use immediately.

Snag Malwarebytes here: https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101191063-12217359

Try NordVPN here: https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-101191063-15877162

Want to learn Computer Repair at your own pace?

Join Computer Repair Academy Skool: https://www.skool.com/computer-repair-academy-3750

#ComputerRepair #ComputerRepairAcademy #PCRepair #TechPodcast #Windows11 #PCTroubleshooting #TechNews #ComputerTips #RepairBusiness #TechTips #Podcast

*Some product links may be affiliate links which means if you buy something we may receive a small commission from that affiliate. This is a great way to support the channel and it is no added expense to you! We will never promote a product that we have not personally used or believe in. Thank you for your trust!

What do you do when a computer powers on... but Windows refuses to start?

In Episode 3 of Season 3, Jeremy tackles three very different startup problems On the Repair Bench — including a PC stuck in an Automatic Repair loop, a laptop showing “No Boot Device Found,” and an SSD clone that still depended on the old drive just to start Windows.

In the Tech News Report, we cover Windows 11 24H2 approaching end of support, Microsoft’s ongoing Secure Boot certificate updates, and why Windows 11 26H1 isn’t the normal upgrade its name might suggest.

This week’s Product Feature is Ventoy, a powerful free tool that can turn one USB flash drive into a multi-boot repair and recovery toolkit.

Snag Ventoy here: https://www.ventoy.net/en/download.html

Then, From the Office Desk, we talk about why a strong repair intake process can save technicians time, improve diagnostics, and help protect your computer repair business.

Whether you’re learning computer repair, working as a technician, running your own repair shop, or simply trying to understand Windows startup problems, this episode is packed with practical troubleshooting advice you can use on the bench.

Want to learn Computer Repair at your own pace? Join Computer Repair Academy Skool: https://www.skool.com/computer-repair-academy-3750

#ComputerRepair #ComputerRepairAcademy #PCRepair #SlowComputer #PCTroubleshooting #Windows11 #TechPodcast #ComputerTips #RepairBusiness #TechTips

Why is your computer so slow — and how do you figure out what’s actually causing it?

In Episode 2 of Season 3, Jeremy breaks down three very different performance problems On the Repair Bench, including an overheating laptop, a PC overloaded with startup apps, and a newer computer that simply didn’t have enough RAM.

In the Tech News Report, we cover the latest PowerToys update, AMD’s continued growth in the CPU market, and why Windows on Arm is becoming increasingly important for repair technicians and Windows users.

This week’s Product Feature is the Sabrent Tool-Free M.2 SSD Enclosure, a handy tool for cloning drives, recovering data, and working with NVMe and SATA M.2 SSDs.

Then, From the Office Desk, we tackle one of the biggest questions new repair businesses face: How much should you charge for computer repair?

Whether you’re learning computer repair, working as a technician, running your own shop, or just trying to make your PC run better, this episode is packed with practical troubleshooting tips, repair advice, and business insights.

Show Links:

Backblaze Backup Software: https://www.backblaze.com/cloud-backup/personal#afc32e

HWMonitor: https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html

Sabrent M.2 Enclosure: https://amzn.to/4qMki0Q

Want to learn Computer Repair at your own pace? Join Computer Repair Academy Skool: https://www.skool.com/computer-repair-academy-3750

#ComputerRepair #ComputerRepairAcademy #PCRepair #SlowComputer #PCTroubleshooting #Windows11 #TechPodcast #ComputerTips #RepairBusiness #TechTips

*Some product links may be affiliate links which means if you buy something we may receive a small commission from that affiliate. This is a great way to support the channel and it is no added expense to you! We will never promote a product that we have not personally used or believe in. Thank you for your trust!

Season 3 of The Computer Repair Academy Podcast kicks off with a brand-new format packed with tech news, real-world computer repair stories, useful tools, and repair business advice.

In this episode, Jeremy breaks down the latest Windows security updates, gaming issues tied to recent Windows changes, and an important router security concern. Then, On the Repair Bench, we troubleshoot a completely dead desktop, a PC flooded with fake security alerts, and a painfully slow computer with a failing drive.

We also feature the Sabrent Blowzer X6 electric air duster and discuss why repair technicians should stop giving away valuable diagnostic work for free.

Whether you're learning computer repair, working as a technician, running a repair business, or just trying to keep your own PC running smoothly, this episode is packed with practical takeaways you can use right away.

A special thanks to NordPass for sponsoring this episode of The Computer Repair Academy Podcast.

Learn more about NordPASS here!

Snag yourself a Sabrent Blowzer X6 here!

Want to learn Computer Repair at your own pace? Join Computer Repair Academy Skool

#ComputerRepair #ComputerRepairAcademy #PCRepair #TechPodcast #Windows11 #PCTroubleshooting #TechNews #ComputerTips #RepairBusiness #TechTips

*Some product links may be affiliate links which means if you buy something we may receive a small commission from that affiliate. This is a great way to support the channel and it is no added expense to you! We will never promote a product that we have not personally used or believe in. Thank you for your trust!