How to Avoid PC Problems
How to Avoid PC Problems
How to Avoid PC Problems
A home computer is as important to our lives as a car or a refrigerator. Our computers provide us with email communications, access to news and shopping information, and serve as repositories for personal information like taxes and other vital records. Keeping your computer in proper working order is crucial to avoid loss of valuable data and service interruptions. You can prevent common computer breakdowns by forming good computer habits.
1. Protect your computer against electrical catastrophes. Many computer owners think their computer is as hardy as any other home appliance, but computers are actually very sensitive to power spikes and brown outs. A half-second's worth of a sudden jolt of electricity that would not affect a microwave oven can destroy a computer motherboard and hard drive. Protect all computers in the home with a real surge protector device. Mere power strips or power strips that claim to have "surge suppression" features are not enough. Real surge protectors cost a little more than standard power strips and carry insurance coverage. Every computer in the house merits its own surge protector, especially delicate laptops.
2. Defend yourself against infections. Some infections now mimic hardware breakdowns including "Blue Screens Of Death." You can avoid being tricked into throwing your computer into the trash by establishing good security practices. Install effective security programs and do not allow any user to turn them off for any reason. Ban the download of free games and other "fun" items; "free plus fun equals infected" in most cases. Avoid websites related to pornography as these sites are always infected. Even "free" programs like Coupon Printers and other shopping rewards sites are often infected.
3. Prohibit household users from accessing "peer to peer" (P2P) sharing programs like Limewire, Kazaa, BitTorrent, and Frostwire: most of the media downloads found on these P2P networks are infected. There is no such thing as safe "free music" on the Internet today.
4. Clean out your desktop computer twice a year. Remove the side cover and, with an air can, blow out accumulations of dust from off the front air vents, the processor fan, and the power supply. Dust bunnies can cause a processor to overheat or a power supply to malfunction; both can destroy a computer in seconds.
5. Use a laptop cooling pad. Laptops have built-in heating problems because of their small size. They often overheat if the small exhaust fans on the bottom and sides of the laptop are smothered. Only use a laptop on a hard surface, like a tabletop or a cooling pad. Soft, upholstered surfaces, like beds, will smother the exhaust fans and cause the processor to burn out eventually.
6. Handle a laptop with exceptional care. Repeatedly bumping the AC Power Adapter plug that fits into the back of your laptop can cause the port to snap off the motherboard. In many cases this cannot be repaired. When repair is possible, it is extremely expensive. Do not permit small children to "play" with a laptop computer. Do not move the laptop by grasping the screen.
7. Protect laptops against extremes in temperature. Leaving a laptop in a car during winter can freeze the hard drive. Treat your laptop as you would a baby or a puppy.
8. Unplug your computer and any networking cables during severe thunderstorms. No computer can survive a "direct hit." Even though you may have an insured surge protector, any monetary settlement will be little consolation when precious hard drive data is lost.
9. Avoid "DIY" hardware repairs and upgrades if possible. Contrary to popular belief, the average owner is not qualified to repair serious hardware problems, especially on laptop computers. If you would not attempt to repair your flat screen television set, do not attempt to fix your computer without the help of a repair professional. Seeking professional help will save time, often will save money in the end, and certainly will prevent catastrophic losses of hard drive data.
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