Just like your automobile, appliances, or anything else, computers can become run-down over time. With the lighting quick pace at which new technology becomes yesterday’s news, many of us never see the effects of time on our machines before they are relegated to the scrap heap. Unfortunately, this often leads users to neglect the physical needs of their machines, which can lead to hardware failure. With computer owners feeling the squeeze in this economy, it’s good to know that there are simple things we all can do to help increase the lifetime of our machines.
Overheating is one of the biggest converns for hardware, fortunately it’s also one of the easier ones to minimize or prevent entirely. Between the small moving parts and electrical currents running through everything, the inside of your computer can become very hot, and this can damage every piece of your system. The first thing to do is to keep track of your PC’s temperature. If it feels hot to the touch (not just warm) or the temperature rises significantly after it’s been running for a while, you may need to intervene. All computers have small fans to help get rid of the heat that builds up inside the case. In a computer that’s suffering from heat problems, these may be broken or just not powerful enough. You can replace these fans (called heat sinks) yourself, or hire a professional to do it for you. You can also cut down on overheating problems by never pushing your computer past its published capabilities (overclocking) and ensuring that the vents are not blocked by anything.
Another simple potential source of hardware trouble for users to resolve may come as a surprise: dust bunnies. Just as dust finds its way into the strangest places in your house, it also winds up inside your computer case where it can accumulate. While usually harmless, large piles of dust can get in the way of moving parts or block the vents for the heat sinks. The best solution is to periodically open up the case of your computer and use “canned air” to blow away the dust inside. Remember, make sure that the computer is turned off and unplugged from the socket before you begin to open it to prevent damage to the hardware and yourself.
While keyboards and mice are fairly cheap components, it’s still a good idea not to waste money replacing them when you could just as easily keep them in working order for much longer. Keyboards are often damaged when food and other small items get stuck in the spaces between and beneath the keys. To reduce the risk don’t eat at the computer, or put your keyboard out of reach when you do. Standard mice, with a ball built into the bottom to track movement, should be used on a clean surface such as a mouse pad. You should clean this off periodically and keep it away from food just as you would a keyboard. In the event that liquid spills on either item, unplug it immediately and allow it to dry fully before checking to see if it is still working (this will cut down on the risk of damage).
One great way to protect your desktop involves a little bit of an investment, but it literally can mean life or death for your system. Instead of plugging directly into a wall socket or normal power strip, you can use a surge protector or a universal power supply to protect your components from outages and spikes. These two issues cause a enormous amount of hardware failure and data loss every year. It’s vital to buy a universal power supply that has sufficient voltage to run your entire system in order to get the full benefit. It may be wise to consult with a professional about your power needs if you choose that product. A surge protector doesn’t provide the same protection against data loss in the event of a power outage, but is less expensive and provides needed protection for your hardware.
We know it can be difficult to keep abreast of the little tasks associated with computer ownership, which is why Geek Choice offers preventative maintenance service in addition to computer repair. If you’ would like to schedule an appointment for preventative maintenance, or if you have questions about how to keep your computer in top shape, give us a call at 1-800-GEEK-HELP (433-5435) and talk to one of our techs.