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Proper Maintenance And Upkeep Of Your Computer System

Maintaining your computer hardware and software is an important job, and will help to extend the life of your computer. If you keep your hardware in good condition, then it will run more efficiently and will last much longer. Here are some simple steps you can take to maintain your computer hardware and software:

General tips

Here are some basic hardware maintenance tips that will make sure your computer remains in good condition and does not become damaged:

• Make sure that you do not drop or bump any of your hardware, and do not put objects on top of your computer.
• Always transport any hardware in a carrying case.
• Keep your computer away from magnetic fields, as these fields can damage or erase your hardware.
• Never turn off your computer without properly shutting it down, as you can corrupt the data on the hard drive.
• Keep your computer in normal temperature conditions.
• Keep liquids away from your computer, as liquid can seriously harm your computer hardware and is usually not covered under the warranty.
• Set up a regular maintenance schedule to keep your computer hardware in top condition.

Creating an emergency start-up diskette

Another way you can maintain your computer is to create an emergency start-up diskette. This disk will allow you to boot Windows when something goes wrong with your computer and you cannot start Windows normally. This means that even if something happens to your computer, you have more chance of fixing it and getting the data that you need.

Protecting your computer from viruses

Having a good anti-virus program will help to protect your computer software from damage. If you have an up to date virus checker and regularly scan your computer and files, then you are less likely to suffer from damage due to a virus.

Scan your hard drive

If you regularly scan and clean your hard drive, then your computer hardware will remain error free, and your system will run more efficiently. Most operating systems have a Scandisk feature that checks your hard drive for errors and deletes any unwanted or useless files. This increases efficiency and frees up more space on your hard drive. If you use your computer regularly, then try to scan your drive about once a week.

Defragmenting the hard drive

Defragmenting your hard drive is a good idea, as it can improve your computer efficiency. When files are stored, they are often split into pieces, and so to access them again your computer needs to find all the pieces, which can take time. If you defragment your hardware then the file pieces are put together, making it quicker and easier for your computer to open files. The defragmentation process can take time, so perform this function about once a month, or if you think your computer is running slowly.

Back up files

You should regularly back up your files onto disk, and remove the files from your hard drive if you can because this frees up valuable space. It also means you have the files safely stored in case something happens to your computer.

Keep your computer clean

Another important maintenance tip is to regularly clean your computer. Many people overlook this point, or simply do not clean their computer properly. One of the biggest causes of hardware malfunction is because dust or dirt has got inside your computer. If you regularly clean your computer, this is less likely to occur, and your computer will also look much better. The most important areas to clean are the vents, and you should clean these about once a week. Always make sure that your computer is turned off before you begin. When cleaning your computer you should use:

·         A clean soft cloth

·         An aerosol can of air with a straw-like nozzle

·         Isopropyl alcohol

·         Cotton swabs

·         A CD drive cleaning kit