Maintaining Computers: Cliches and not cliches

Taking care of your computer, cliches and not cliches

All right, my first topic, and an impotant one. I will try to explain as clearly as possible some tips to maintain your computer. These contain the usual tips you hear everywhere and some new ones I've found and collected.

On with it

Hardware: First up is hardware, something that most people think can take care of itself, well, it can't, and hardware problems almost always require professional help, which translates into loss of money. Here are some tips to maintain your hardware.

1) You don't have a license to spill: The first and foremost instruction, keep your parts dry. Avoid the habit of eating and srinking while working on your computer. Any kind of spill can be disastrous for your computer, keyboards being the most common victim. Soda drinks, beer, tea, coffee even water, they've got to go. If you want something to drink, go drink somewhere else. A spill usually causes moderate damage, but it can be much more problematic, and for the ignorants who are not paying attention, it can cause a short circuit or result in an electric shock. So don't drink and type.

2) It's not made of iron: Many users have a habit of venting their anger on a computer, taking out their rage whenever it hangs or something. Don't do this. The computer parts may look tough but they can get damaged easily. Don't hit the keys hard, it's not a typewriter. Don't shake the CPU or the monitor if any problems occur, it won't help. Try to figure out the cause of the problem, or else contact a specialist. Inflicting damage on it won't help, it will only make things worse.

3) Connect and reconnect: Make sure all the connections are secure and tight, Loose connections cause some of the strangest problems I've seen. If you're assembling a computer, make sure all the connections are firm and tight before switching it on. Make sure the connections behind the CPU, i.e. the ports and keyborad, mouse, monitor connections are secure. Loose and wrong connections are the most frequent problem causers.
A note: When connecting check if you are connecting the right wires to the right ports. Most parts have a manual which indicates where the jacks will fit, and the jacks and the respective ports are colour coded,if the connection is not made with reasonable effort then they probably don't fit. And don't disconnect or reconnect wires while the computer is on.

4) Clean Up: Make sure you clean your computer, atleast once a month, and that means everything, keyboard, mouse, computer table, monitor and the inside and outside of the CPU. A vacuum cleaner is most effective for cleaning keyboards, and use a glass cleaner for the other parts. Clean the inner parts of the CPU carefully if you don't know what you're doing. A vacuum cleaner is very effective in these cases, and don't use the glass cleaners here, and make sure to clean all parts. And I don't need to be saying this, turn off the power before you do.

5) Charge: Just a tip, make sure you keep an UPS and charge it regularly. Charging is done while the UPS is on.



Software: Now for the software part

1) Keep the basics: Make sure you keep the basic softwares and a backup of their installations files. Basic means an operating system, antivirus, anti-spyware and firewall(only if you have an internet connection) and a few others. Theres a starter pack from www.download.com that's really helpful and you might also want Google pack. www.google.com/pack

2) Stay upto date: Make sure you update your antivirus and antispyware from their respective sites. The softwares always have an option to update. Since new viruses and spyware are being made everyday, it's very important to update.

3) Use original softwares: Always use original softwares pirated and cracked softwares may cause problems, like crashes and not allowing updates etc. If you want to save money then look for free softwares, they're just as good, sometimes better and free. www.download.com has a free section where all your needs should be answered. Be safe, be original.
A note: Just in case an user of pirated software reads this, or a cracker or hacker, and says "Huh, piracy works for me". I say "Me too", but its better to be safe.

4) Keep system improvers: These softwares are rarely free, but very important for basic users since the work the software does for them is valuable. Advanced users can do these themselves, but basic users will love these functions. Examples of these softwares are System Mechanic, Diskeeper etc. If you find a free one, please e mail me the location. You can use these softwares for trial periods, or with limited functionality. But for full working versions, you need to pay, piracy being the backdoor option. And once you get them, understand the functions and use them to improve your PC.

5) Keep your options open: Remember to try many softwares and pick the best, for example, most of us always use Internet Explorer for surfing; not knowing that Firefox 2, www. mozilla.com is far better. You can even try out the beta version of Apple's Safari. www.apple.com The same goes for all softwares. Keep trying and pick the best.

Guess thats all for now. I'll add another part on speeding up your PC. Hope it helps, remember to send problems to somak_advanced@hotmail.com I'll try my best to help you.