“Preventive maintenance is the key to obtaining years of trouble-free service from your computer system. A properly administered preventive maintenance program pays for itself by reducing problem behaviour, data loss, and component failure and by ensuring a long life for your system.” -Upgrading and Repairing PC’s, Scott Mueller.
Here are a number of agents that may cause you to lose a good deal of time and money, and what can be done to protect your investment and maintain optimum productivity:
Viruses, Hackers, and Spyware
The Internet provides a vast wealth of information at your fingertips. Yet, as soon as you connect, your computer is exposed to a multitude of privacy and security threats. Your computer, along with your personal data, is a practically guaranteed target unless it is protected. Viruses have been known to completely wipe out systems and hackers and spyware can control your system or copy your personal data without you knowing it and without a trace. Protect your computer with firewall and anti-virus protection software and keep it up-to-date.
Hard-drive Failures
Hard-drives contain your valuable data. As with all components, they also are susceptible to failure and without some form of contingency in the event of failure you could be out days, months, and even years of productivity. Don’t let your time go down the tubes, be prepared for them!
Based on the amount of data you have and your home/office configuration, we can help you determine the most efficient, reliable, and affordable backup solution.
Power Spikes and Brown-outs
Computer systems need a steady supply of clean, noise-free power to run properly. Certain types of equipment on the same power line can cause voltage spikes of sometimes 1,000V or more that can physically damage a computer. Though rare, these transients can be crippling.
Often appliances such as coffee makers, air-conditioners, or others that draw an accessive amount of current can wreak havoc on a PC system on the same circuit. A sure way to protect your computer from power trouble is with a line conditioner. Surge protectors help, but only against surges and not brown-outs and line noise. For an added degree of protection, a smart UPS will also give you backup power during outages.
Other Preventable Failure Agents
Operating System Vulnerabilities, Dust and Pollutants, Temperature Variations
Your computer will have an operating system, such as Windows XP. Since operating system software is developed by humans, and hackers are always looking for vulnerabilities they can take advantage of, the possibility of your system being vulnerable to hackers is real. Fortunately you can receive regular updates from Microsoft to correct these vulnerabilities as soon as they are detected. This is why it is important to make sure the Windows Update feature is working properly.
Dust on internal components can cause several problems. It acts as a thermal insulator which prevents proper cooling. Excessive heat shortens the life-span of components. Dust can also contain conductive elements that can cause short-circuits. Other elements can accelerate corrosion of contacts, resulting in bad connections.
Temperature variations can lead to serious problems. If extreme variations occur signal traces on circuit boards can crack and separate, solder joints can break, contacts can undergo accelerated corrosion, and a host of other problems can develop.
For help in implementing regular Windows updates, a thorough professional cleaning, or help with any of the previous preventive measures above please contact us.
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