How do you treat your Computer?

How Do You Treat Your Computer?

Computers have become very commonplace in homes throughout the world. As such, they're being treated with less care. If someone asked you for the remote control, or your radio or a cassette player, you probably wouldn't hesitate to toss it over to them!

While computers are not being tossed (I hope), they are being treated more and more like any other home appliance.

You should not bang your computer on the side when it develops a glitch! While they have become a hardier machine over the years, they still do have intricate and delicate components and machinery inside, and should be treated as such.

You shouldn't be plugging in, or unplugging cords from the back of your computer while its running. Its not good for your components, its not good for your files or data, and it certainly isn't good for your sanity as problems will result. Of course, USB is an exception but, use your head here too!

The same goes for inside the chassis. Don't be plugging things in or checking connections on drives, expansion cards or DIMMs while your computer is running.

Speaking of DIMMs, here is something I think is kind of obvious, but due to a recent call last week I guess I should mention it: DO NOT install DIMMS while your computer is running!!

Don't be turning your computer on its side, or tilting it forward, or sliding it along your desk to access the back while its running.

If you run your computer while its neatly stuck inside a small cupboard on your desk, with the door closed, don't be surprised if you end up with overheating problems. Your computer needs a constant exchange of air inside the case to keep things cool.

A few more little things:

Smoking is Bad For Your Computer's Health
You should not be smoking around your computer. The smoke is sucked inside your case by the fans that create the airflow designed to cool your components. If you've ever seen the inside windshield of a smoker's car, then you know what kind of a film can build up. The same film will build up on the connections and components inside your computer. This insulates them from the air flow, prevents proper cooling, and causes them to run hotter, resulting in more errors and a shorter life span.

Ya Gotta Eat Sometime
You shouldn't eat around your computer. I know you try to be careful but, turn your keyboard upside down sometime, and give it a few gentle taps on the back. You may be surprised at the amount of bread crumbs and cookie crumbs that fall out. (Not to mention the cigarette ashes, pipe tobacco and dead skin tissue).

Housework?
Keeping your computer room dusted and vacuumed reduces the amount of dust, lint and animal hairs that are sucked in the vents. Once again, this can insulate componets from the cooling airflow.

Temperature
Always allow all components to warm up to room temperature before operating your computer. Probably not a problem in some places, and a big problem in others. A little humidity doesn't hurt either. Remember, cold, dry weather promotes static electricity which can be very damaging to your system.

In other climates, the opposite may be true. If temperatures can get very hot for extended periods of time, you may need to take added measures to insure that your system doesn't overheat.

All I'm trying to say here is, although computer prices have dropped dramatically in the last few years, they're still an expensive purchase, and pricey to have repaired.They tend to work a lot better, and present fewer errors, when treated as the intricate and sensitive piece of machinery that they are.

Return To February's Title Page