Keeping Out of the Crash Zone
Keep Maintaining Your Computer Like the Day You Brought it Home
Some tend to let computer maintenance slide the longer they have their systems. Avoid crashes and freeze-ups by doing scheduled maintenance to protect your system.
It’s true that when we purchase a new computer system that we tend to baby it and we want to make sure that we get the latest virus protection software and keep it updated. We find it hard to share our new treasure so we usually have a “family computer” for the whole gang to use, and keep our new gem within the confines of our rooms so that we can keep our eyes on it. This usually lasts for about a month and soon many are slipping when it comes to updating, scanning, and overall maintenance of our new computer systems.
To keep out of the “crash zone”(referring to the computer freezing, running slowly, and all out crashing) below are a few reminders that are intended to help you treat your computer as if you just purchased it yesterday. By following these steps and reminders, our systems will be in the safe zone and a “crash” will be the last thing we have to worry about.
1. Always make sure that your power supply is connected to a surge protected power bar. If it is not, it is susceptible to the damage of the 120-volt AC output that it is plugged into. A computer has a built in power transformer, but electricity at a sudden surge basically bypasses this transformer (frying it in the process) and then goes to work on overloading your components.
2. Use a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) to power your computer in the event of a power failure. A sudden lack of power can do as much (if not more) damage to your system. You monitor is at great risk too because of power outs and “brown-outs” (surge of low power). Your UPS is a large battery powered unit that shuts down your system slowly and gently in the event of power fluctuations that could be damaging.
3. Do not let your systems virus database take care of itself. Your computer (no matter what anti-virus system it is running) still needs manual updates (for new versions of the software as well as new virus definitions) and even if your antiviral software automatically updates, it is always wise to try a manual update just to make sure. A virus has put many computers out of commission even though the user swears by the software he is running. Update and scan frequently just to be sure.
4. Many computers that are running high speed Internet don’t realize that their connection is always open. This makes them targets for hackers and spammers who will leave you with pages full of pop-ups or a nasty Trojan virus for your troubles. Try to practice powering off your modem when you know you are finished with your computer for the time being. Some hackers will even use open connections to make use of an unsuspecting victim’s hard drive space. This is a frightening thought when one realizes that someone could store virtually any manner of illegal content on another’s hard disk and the computer user would be totally oblivious to this invasion of space. Power off as much as you can.
5. Use canned air to do a monthly computer cleaning. Dust is one of the biggest destroyers of the delicate components inside your computer. Try to pay special attention to the air vents that the computer fan blows out. Get the dust out of these vents with compressed air and keep your computer system running as cool as the day that you brought it home.
Following these tips you are far less likely to have the computer blues when your system starts to slow down or respond in strange virus-like ways. Always treat your system like you did when you just got it and you can be guaranteed fewer headaches.
