Caring For Computers: You Need To Focus on Computer Health

Summary: This article explores the dos and don’ts of caring for computers and the value of consistent IT maintenance by business and personal users. Regular maintenance can keep your computer system performing at maximum speed and performance. Also, learn what steps can boost your computer’s longevity.

Although most of us use computers daily, we may forget to take care of them over time. Our expectation is they will just continue to work. With that approach, we use and abuse them, only stopping to think about computer health when they break down or malfunction. To keep your computers running at maximum efficiency and productivity, there is a short list of things you should never do to your devices:

• Use Without a Surge Protector – A surge protector is more than just a power strip. Power strips are helpful for plugging multiple electrical components into one outlet. While most surge protectors offer that feature, they also protect your computer from power surges that can fry your motherboard, damage components and ruin your computer. Power surges can result from thunderstorms or issues with your utility provider.
• Leave it Dirty – Caring for a computer includes regular cleaning of your machine to help maintain functionality and improve longevity. Using a can of compressed air to blow out dust and grime should do the trick. Twice a year, an internal cleaning and blowout should be performed.
• Use Force to Close Components – If something on a computer is not closing the way it is supposed to, forcing it is a surefire way to break it. If a CD tray is jammed or you have trouble plugging in a cable to a port, never force them. If you are unsure how to fix the problem, we recommend consulting an IT professional.
• Carry a Laptop Without a Case – Slipping your laptop under your arm and carrying it with you is part of the wonderful portability afforded by laptop computers. However, as sturdy as yours might be, a drop on the kitchen floor or pavement could cause severe breakage. Using a laptop case or, at minimum, a cushioned sleeve to protect your laptop when you move it around or is wise. If you do drop it, even if it still works, cracks, scratches and internal loosening of components could occur and cause trouble down the road.
• Leave Your Laptop Open When Not in Use – Your keyboard is the most exposed part of your computer. Dirt, grime, cooking fumes, liquids, pet hair and other foreign substances can get in the cracks between the keys and cause havoc with your keyboard. Keyboards have many small circuits that can easily be damaged. The simple act of closing your laptop will avoid such damage and slow down the overall accumulation of debris.
• Forget to Update All Your Apps – Software developers continually improve their apps. Updates can contain new functionalities, fixes for glitches and essential cyber security patches. You should consider turning on automatic updates on your computer to assist you in more seamless updating. Installing all updates as soon as possible is a best practice for computer health.
• Install Updates from Unknown Sources – Take extra care in selecting programs you wish to install on your computer. Apps from unknown and untrusted sources can be packed with malware that can infect your computer and network, bringing down your system and allowing hackers to breach your device and data and insert malware. Once breached, all your data and devices are at risk as the virus spreads to connected devices, business networks and more. Verify that you are adding a legitimate app and not one impersonating a legitimate app.
• Eat or Drink at Your Computer – Working at a device while eating might make you feel more productive. However, if food or liquids get into your computer, the keys will eventually (if not immediately) malfunction. Spilling drinks on computer keyboards is worse than food because liquids can seep deeper into your hardware, shorting out circuits along the way.
• Leave Your Computer Running All the Time – Ideally, computers should be shut down at least every few days. If you are finished for the day, shut it down. Shutting down allows the computer to cool down and clear and refresh RAM. Also, when your computer is on and you are away from it or sleeping, you face an increased risk of cyberattacks. Make shutting down or rebooting your system a daily habit.

Following regular maintenance protocols (such as running a windows pc health check) is imperative for computer health. We cannot take the health of our computers for granted. Often, we get busy and ignore essential PC maintenance. We continue working, surfing the net, emailing and performing a myriad of functions on our computers. We eat and drink over our keyboards and often leave them running, open and unattended. Then, we are caught off-guard when our devices break down and get stuck, not knowing what to do.

Add computer maintenance to your calendar, and contact your IT professional if you need help with this task. They can help with computer training and overall device assessments, such as Windows PC health checks and other simple tasks and best practices for keeping your computers clean and healthy. Caring for your computers could extend their lifespans, saving you time, money and aggravation.