Feb 2, 2011
I have been using computer for years, here are some of the maintenance tips to take care of your PC/Computer/Laptop/Server so that it works without problems.
On Software Front:
1. Install an Antivirus – freeware or paid one, lots of them are there. Use virustotal.com service if you want to be almost 100% sure that the new file being used on your PC is virus free. Also keep your antivirus updated.
2. Install a Firewall – Free or commercial version, which ever you can afford, it will keep your PC safe from outside online attacks from hackers. Also keep the
3. Install Antispyware – Everyone hates being spied and so should your PC too. Better have two antispyware with one active at a time. Here I am referring to spyware that can do harm do your PC by monitoring your surfing habits, usernames and passwords, snooping your confidential data on your PC and then sending it all to someone without your knowledge. Don’t forget to keep your antispyware updated.
4. Install Antitrojanware – Hidden malicious program inside an attractive one to give remote access to someone, grab your password to allow someone to break in to your computer. Sometimes a single software pack can do most of the things, i.e. keep viruses, spyware, malware and trojans (hidden harmful codes that get activated on a particular day) away.
6. Install Application Software (browsers, FTP – File Transfer Client, Image editors, Word processors etc.) from reputed sources and not from any source as the file being installed can be infected.
7. Don’t use P2P and torrent clients to download illegal stuff from Net. There is something hidden in these files mostly to cause harm to your PC.
8. Be alert and don’t open emails and attachments from unknown persons.
9. Always buy licensed system software which the base for letting other software operate on it.
10. Ensure you have a backup software to take backups of your files. Also have your PC Create System Restore point automatically whenever installing something new. This will help you in coming back to a working computer state in case the new software malfunctions.
11. Defragment your hard disk to improve the rate it provides data from it. Defragmentation arranges the similar data in continuous way on your hard disk so that hard disk reading process doesn’t have to work a lot searching for the information to load a program or file etc.
12. Install screen savers or switch off monitor when you are not using it (going for half an hour break with some downloads happening in the background), use optimized setting for hard disk (should become idle when not in use) and other devices available in the CMOS setup. This will increase the life of the respective hardware as they should be used only when needed.
On Hardware Front:
1. Keep your computer clean externally – This will keep insects, flies away. Avoid drinking tea, coffee etc. while working on your PC.
2. Make sure that there are no gaps big enough in your PC for lizards, cockroaches etc. to go inside and piss on your PC electronics
3. Ensure that the interiors of PC are clean, i.e., dust free. If you can do the cleaning yourself do it at average of once in three months or get it done. The more the dust on the chips etc., the more are the chances of their failure!
4. Ensure computer back is at least 3 to 4 inches away from the wall so that its fans can throw out heat. Your computer must remain cool!
5. All the fans of the computer must work, use a software provided by the PC manufacturer to do so. Sometimes a fan that is making noises is likely to be fail soon, get it rectified soon.
6. If the place where the computer is being used is hot (above 25 degree Celsius), use an air conditioner. Don’t use a water cooler as water moisture can short circuit the electronics of PC.
7. Use a cable fixer to route cables properly, they should not hang and obstruct the way of the passers. Oh! it also makes your PC aesthetics good and less dust accumulation compared to them lying on the floor.
8. Use UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to protect PC from over voltages and brownouts etc.
9. Use spike busters for the interfaces such as Ethernet cable and telephone cables etc. as they can sometimes carry high voltages due to some or other problem. None of the external interface can be trusted for always having a safe voltage, to be directly connected to your PC’s port.
10. Make sure that the power to the PC is correct (right earthing with leakage not more than 5V between Neutral and Earth) and provided via good quality of wires, sockets, plugs etc. If these are of bad quality then it can lead to electrical sparks and even fire.
11. Don’t fiddle with your PC components to repair a fault if you don’t know ABC of computer repair. Call someone who is Expert! I personally know of cases where people not knowing much about repair of PC have messed with their computer thinking that it’s minor problem and can be repaired easily. One of my friend burnt his PC CPU as he forgot to put back heat sink and fan on the CPU, It hardly took 5-10 seconds for CPU to get heated and give smoke. He finally ended in spending about $100 on its repair.
12. Buy quality repair parts and get repair done from professionals. Cheap computer parts can definitely save you money but can cost you more in the long run.
Buy ergonomically designed computer furniture and chair and have a proper posture, take breaks when working for hours continuously.
If you have some other tips to share with me from your experience, let me know as there are still many left, have covered only the main ones
Hope that these experienced tips helps some of my friends in keeping their PC healthy and secure online!