Care for your Computer.

Care for your computer.

 

Take good care of your PC and it will take good care of you. Or, more like, 'Take good care of your PC and it won't crash, lose all your homework and wreck your game settings.' Here's how to minimise PC problems.

 

Your PC's two mortal enemies are heat and moisture. The most common causes of overheating are dust and dirt - clogged vents and fans keep air from moving through the case, and even a thin coating of dust inside can heat up the components - so it pays to clean it every few months.

 

You'll need lint-free wipes and a can of compressed air (get these from a computer store such as Dick Smith Electronics).

 

A CLEAN START

 

First, check around your computer for anything that could raise its temperature, such as a heater or direct sun. Clear away anything that might fall on it or make it dirty, such as pot plants.

 

Turn off and unplug your system, then use a damp cloth to clean the outside of the case, monitor, keyboard and mouse. Never pour any liquid directly onto it, and keep all cables firmly attached in the back of the case.

 

Turn the keyboard upside down and shake it to clear out the crumbs. If you have a mouse with a roller ball, unscrew the ring on the bottom, remove the ball and scrape the gunk off the two plastic rollers inside. If your monitor has a degauss button (with a small magnet icon), push it to clear magnetic interference. If you have an LCD monitor, dust it lightly: it is very fragile.

 

INSIDE THE BOX

 

PC cases open in various ways, so look for screws or a side panel that slides off. But before cracking it open, get permission from your parents. Better yet, get them to help you (then, if something does go wrong, they can't blame you). Turn off and unplug your PC. Static electricity is a killer for the sensitive circuits inside: get an antistatic wrist strap (they're less than $20 at a computer store), or you can try grounding yourself by touching a metal water pipe, or a lamp or another earthed electrical device. One of the worst creators of static charge is a rolling desk chair so push it away and stand up when you're working on your PC. Use lint-free wipes to remove dust from inside the case. Avoid touching any circuit-board surfaces. Pay close attention to fans and vents and blast them with compressed air, but try to remove dust rather than just rearrange it.

 

REASSEMBLE THE HARD DRIVE

 

On a PC, Microsoft Windows stores files on the hard drive in segments, but over time the segments become scattered and take longer to access. To keep your drive shipshape, run Windows' Disk Defragmenter once a year. Click Start on the bottom left of the screen, then Programs (or All Programs in Windows XP). Click through Accessories . System Tools . Disk Defragmenter. Defragging may take hours, so make sure no one needs the computer for a while. Disable your screensaver (right-click the desktop, then click Properties and Screen Saver to turn it off) and any other automatic programs beforehand to keep the defrag from restarting every few minutes.

 

FOUR TIPS FOR LONGER PC LIFE

 

1. Keep your PC smoke free. Cigarette smoke can damage delicate contacts and circuits.

 

2. Leave your PC running. Powering up is stressful for your system.

 

3. Don't leave your monitor running. Extend your monitor's life by shutting it off when it's not in use.

 

4. Avoid jostling the PC. Whenever you move it, make sure the machine is shut down and unplugged.

 

 

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