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By: Ian Essling
Technological devices have become one of the most popular gifts of the holiday season. Instead of getting the pair of socks you didn't want, you're more likely to get a jump drive that doesn't have the hard drive space that you need or a digital camera that is only six megapixels, which is so 2005.
With all the valuable computing components that will be changing hands this season, now is the time to learn the best ways to take care of the new and fancy devices.
Often overlooked as something that can affect the performance and longevity of your computer, dust can be a major factor in determining whether your computer can play the latest 3D game, or if it will become a pile of smoking, molten slag.
Check the intake fans of your computer often for dust buildup. Using your hands or a soft cloth, wipe off any dust and fuzz from the back of the computer. Dust can prevent cool air from entering the computer, thus overheating it.
Try to store the computer in an environment that is as dust free as possible. If the area will have a lot of dust and other particles in the air (such as a workshop or garage), turn the computer off when you're not using it and cover it with dust clothes. When the computer is not running, the fans will not be pulling in dust and other foreign particles.
Many computer stores offer a cleaning service. Professionals will clean each component thoroughly and make sure all your fans are in working order. It is recommended that you do this at least twice a year, either by opening the case yourself if you are tech-savvy enough or taking it to said professionals.
Heat is one of the leading causes of computer failures, period. As previously mentioned, dust can lead to heat buildup inside your computer, either by blocking air intakes or clogging up fans.
There are many ways for computers and other electronics to overheat. Placing a computer inside a cabinets and other such pieces of furniture that puts the computer inside an enclosed space is asking for disaster. Just like you and I, computers need air to breathe.
You should not leave your computer running if you are leaving it in an enclosed space.
Heat can also buildup inside your computer when you are putting it under enough stress. Don't leave high-level programs running when you leave your computer unattended for a long period of time.
Next, I will mention what is otherwise known as the "computers don't mix well with a tile floor," rule. This may seem like a no-brainer, but most people would be surprised to hear how many shock-related failures are reported each year. The smaller the object, usually, the more durable it will be.
Your cell phone will probably react better than your brand new Dell Dimension Desktop will to being dropped on the floor. However, you should always make an effort to avoid that sort of damage in the first place. Never place computers or other devices in high-traffic areas where people are liable to run into them.
The other issue to mention is that it is difficult sometimes to know how much shock is really necessary to damage a computer.
A computer sitting on the floor that is knocked onto its side might not physically break any component, but the shock of falling can cause damage to the hard drive cylinders, and can ruin your data and your operating system, rendering the computer useless until a new drive is installed.
Of course, these rules go for "intended" shock attacks as well.
As a lifelong user of computers, I know firsthand that they can be insanely frustrating at times, especially when you, perish the thought, actually ask them to work a little bit instead of just sitting there, humming contently, while non-stressful programs such as Internet Explorer and Microsoft Word happily coexist.
At least once in your life (and probably many times), you will feel the overwhelming urge to belt your computer as hard as possible, because that smug little dialog box gave you another smarmy, arrogant message that was phrased more like an evil overlord talking down to his minions than a helpful operating system trying to let its users frolic in error-free bliss.
Striking, kicking, spitting on or otherwise maiming a computer or other technological device is never the best idea, despite how good it may feel.
It never does any good (despite what your uncle who repeatedly slaps the TV every Thanksgiving says), and can usually cause damage to the component in question. |
