Caring For Computers: You Need To Focus on Computer Health

Summary: This concise 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 efficiency. Also, learn what steps can boost your computer’s longevity. For more guidance, contact GEEK-AID Computer and Network Support at https://www.geekaid.com/, your computer repair experts, to assist you in planning your PC maintenance.

Although most of us use computers almost every day, 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 and cease to function correctly. For keeping 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 used 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 and ruin your computer. Power surges can result from thunderstorms or issues with your utility provider.
• Leave it Dirty – Regular cleaning of your machines will help maintain functionality and 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’s 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 pavement could cause severe breakage. Using a laptop case or, at minimum, a cushioned sleeve to protect your laptop when you leave your home or office is wise. If you do drop it, even if it still works, cracks, scratches and internal loosening of components could occur.
  • Leave Your Laptop Open When Not in Use – Your keyboard is the most exposed part of your computer. Dirt, grime, liquids 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 and shorted out, and the simple act of closing your laptop will avoid such damage and slow down the overall accumulation of dirt.
• Forget to Update All Your Apps – Software developers always want to 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 mandatory best practice.
• 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 data. Once breached, all your data and devices are at risk as the virus spreads.
• Eat or Drink at Your Computer – Working on a device while eating food 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 daily. If you are finished for the day, shut it down. Shutting down allows the computer to cool down, rest and clear and refresh RAM. Also, when your computer is on and you are away from it or sleeping, you are exposed to the chance of late-night cyberattacks. Make shutting down or rebooting your system a daily habit.

Following regular maintenance protocols is imperative. We cannot take the health of our computers for granted. Often, we get wrapped up in our work 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. Professional computer training and overall device assessments, such as Windows PC health checks, can get you up to speed on best practices for keeping your computers clean and healthy. Caring for your devices could extend their lifespans for years, saving you time, money and aggravation.