Efficient airflow is paramount to a computer's performance and longevity. The placement of your computer can have a significant impact on this. While it may be tempting to tuck your computer against a wall, desk, or even behind drapes to save space or hide unsightly cords, this can inadvertently block the vents that are crucial for cooling your machine.
The vents are your computer's lifeline for maintaining an optimal temperature. When operational, computers generate heat, and the vents act as a conduit to expel this heat out, thereby preventing the machine from overheating. Any obstruction to these vents hampers this cooling mechanism, causing the computer to retain excess heat.
Over time, these high temperatures can cause significant damage to the computer's internal components, such as the CPU, motherboard, and hard drive, which are sensitive to heat. In severe cases, it can even lead to system failure and loss of data.
To prevent this, ensure that there is enough space around your computer for air to circulate freely. Keep it at a reasonable distance from walls, furniture, and fabrics. Regularly clean the vents to remove dust, which can also block airflow and insulate heat. Use a can of compressed air to blow out the dust if necessary. If you're using a laptop, consider investing in a laptop stand or cooling pad that elevates the device, promoting better air circulation.
Remember, keeping your computer cool isn't just about improving performance – it's also about extending the lifespan of your hardware. Ensuring that the vents are unobstructed should be a top priority for anyone looking to maintain their computer in a good working state.
When we use our computer, we sometimes clog the hard drive with pictures, movies, music, and other junk. When the hard drive is full, it works harder, making your computer sluggish. The problem arises when inexperienced users try to clear up space by deleting files they don’t know of, and more often than not – they delete important system files. Deleting these files can render the computer inoperable, or prevent certain features from functioning (example: deleting system files related to the sound drive can disable your ability to listen to music, etc.) Don’t delete any files ending with.SYS,.DLL, or.EXE, in particular from these directories: Program Files, System32, Windows, Users.
Maintaining a clean computer screen is essential for optimal viewing, but the common cleaning methods could be doing more harm than good. The habit of reaching for a wet wipe or household cleaning detergent to spruce up your computer screen might seem efficient, but these methods may, in reality, be detrimental to the screen's health.
The issue lies in the fact that many computer screens have a special anti-glare or anti-reflective coating. Liquids, especially those containing harsh chemicals, can strip away this coating, leading to permanent spots, streaks, or even a cloudy appearance. Moreover, any type of liquid, if it seeps into the edges of the screen or penetrates the casing, can cause corrosion or electrical shorts, potentially damaging your device beyond repair.
Therefore, the safest method to clean your computer screen involves the use of a dry, soft microfiber cloth - the kind often used for cleaning eyeglasses or camera lenses. Gently wipe the screen in a circular motion or follow the manufacturer's recommended method if provided. If stubborn smudges persist, you can slightly dampen the cloth with water, but remember to squeeze out any excess before using it on the screen. Never apply water or any other liquid directly to the screen.
If you need to deal with tough stains, consider purchasing a screen cleaning solution specifically designed for electronic displays. These solutions are typically alcohol and ammonia-free to ensure they don't harm your screen's special coating.
Many people either ignore or delay driver updates. It may seem like a minor detail or an inconvenience given the frequent pop-ups asking to install these updates, but neglecting them could have serious repercussions on your system's performance and security.
Outdated drivers can lead to compatibility issues, causing your hardware components to malfunction or operate inefficiently. You might experience slow performance, crashes, or certain features not working as they should. For instance, outdated graphics card drivers could result in poor video playback or even graphic-intensive games crashing midway.
Besides, outdated drivers can also leave your system vulnerable to security threats. Hackers and cybercriminals often exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated software, including drivers, to gain unauthorized access to systems. Thus, by not updating your drivers, you might unintentionally expose your computer to potential cyber attacks.
To prevent these issues, it's crucial to regularly update your drivers. You can do this manually by visiting the manufacturer's website, finding the latest driver for your hardware component, and installing it. However, this can be a bit technical and time-consuming if you have multiple drivers to update.
An easier method is to use the built-in Windows Update tool (for Windows users), which automatically updates most of your drivers. Alternatively, there are numerous third-party driver update tools that can automatically detect, download, and install the latest drivers for your hardware with a few clicks.
When you install a new piece of software onto the computer, some may ask you to restart it. You may feel that it’s a waste of time, but these requests are not mere whims of developers. Some applications need to start up with the computer for them to function properly, so using them without the initial restart can result in them not working properly (or not at all). Even if you don’t have the patience for it, make it a habit of restarting your computer when prompted to.
This is a HUGE no-no! One of the most vital things you should have installed on your computer is antivirus software. Browsing the internet exposes you to many malicious attacks from websites. Some try to collect data on you, some want to trick you into paying them, and some want to steal your identity. So make sure your computer has antivirus software installed, and that it is updated. If you want to learn more about antivirus software, click here.
If you’re a pet owner, you probably noticed that your pets like to use your computer as a pillow. Who can blame them? It’s nice and warm. You may find it adorable, but it’s actually very bad for your computer. Fur finds its way into the computer and can block the vents, or jam internal fans, causing the computer to overheat. So keep your furry friends away from your computer, and have it cleaned at least once a year.
You may not like to read the information in the various windows during a program installation, and many programs will offer to “save you the effort” and automatically install themselves. The problem arises when these programs install add-ons like unwanted toolbars on your computer, which will, at best slow it down, and at worst steal your information. Next time you install anything, take a moment to read what’s going on instead of just clicking “OK”.
It is recommended that you clean your computer every few months, clearing dust, and fur from the case. Some of us like to do it ourselves, but sometimes forget to unplug the computer from the power socket. While you may think that when the computer is off it’s safe to touch the insides, it is not. There still is a current running inside, and touching any electrified part may short-circuit the computer and damage it, or worse – electrocute you.
Regular hard drives use a magnetic system to store data. Unshielded cables can experience magnetic interference, resulting in loss or corruption of data. Older CRT computer screens (not the LCD or LED kind) are also very susceptible to magnetic interference. What all that means is that magnets are bad for computers, so keep them away from each other.
Regular cleaning and maintenance of your computer is crucial in ensuring its longevity and optimal performance. Over time, dust, pet hair, and other debris can accumulate inside the computer case, potentially clogging fans and other components, which can lead to overheating and eventually, hardware failure.
However, the act of cleaning your computer's internal components isn't as straightforward as cleaning the exterior. One common and risky mistake that many people make is opening the computer case while it's still plugged into a power socket. Even when a computer is switched off, it isn't entirely devoid of electrical currents. Most computers have a standby mode that keeps some circuits energized even when the system is turned off. Touching these circuits can cause a short, leading to potential damage to the hardware components. In extreme cases, there's also the risk of electrocution, which can cause personal injury and, in very rare cases, can be fatal.
To safely clean your computer, always ensure that it's completely disconnected from the power source. Not just turned off, but unplugged from the wall socket. If your system has a power supply switch, make sure that is also turned off. It's a good practice to then press the power button a couple of times to drain any residual energy stored in the power supply capacitors. Only then should you open the computer case.
Remember to ground yourself before touching any of the internal components, as static electricity from your body can potentially harm sensitive electronic parts. You can do this by touching a grounded metal object or using an anti-static wrist strap.
If you hear strange noises coming from inside the computer case, when the computer behaves sluggishly or when it stops reacting, many people feel that a good thump will fix the problem. Computers are full of delicate parts, and hitting them can cause these parts to become loose, cables to disconnect, and even break important parts. Next time you feel like hitting your computer, take a breath, switch it off, and let it rest for a minute before starting it up. If you hear strange noises, it can mean that something has gotten loose inside, so don’t wait and take it to a technician for a checkup.
USB connections are great, they make connecting devices to your computer easy, using one type of connection. We use them for flash drives, to charge smartphones, connect our keyboard and mouse, etc. The shape of the USB can sometimes be a source of frustration when trying to connect it the wrong way. Even if you tried 2-3 times unsuccessfully, don’t jam it in by force – doing so can break the connector in your computer, and replacing it can cost a pretty penny.
When I go online, I sometimes end up with multiple internet browser windows or tabs open (like my e-mail, Facebook, YouTube, etc.) but this requires the computer to allocate more resources to your various windows and tabs. The computer has a finite amount of resources, and when it is encumbered, it will become slow and unresponsive. Make a habit of not opening more than a total of 9 windows or tabs at any given time. Your computer will thank you.
