PC Maintenance: Basic Computer Maintenance Tips

Summary: This brief blog explains the importance of ongoing IT maintenance by personal and SMB PC users. Regular maintenance will keep your computer functioning at maximum speed and efficiency while boosting its longevity. For more guidance, contact GEEK-AID Computer and Network Support at https://www.geekaid.com/, your computer repair experts, to assist you with creating a computer maintenance checklist.

Many of us take electronic and mechanical devices for granted until they break down. The same holds true for computers. Every day, users crank out work on them, surf the Internet, compose and receive emails and perform many other tasks, rarely thinking about their computer’s health until a problem arises. Regular maintenance for computers can keep them running fast, efficiently and securely and extend their lifespans.

What Is Basic Computer Maintenance?

Basic computer maintenance encompasses firmware and software updates, up-to-date virus protection, regular cleaning and various other operations. Some should be done daily; others weekly, monthly or quarterly.

Many computer users spend more time at their computers than driving their cars. So, it’s ironic that some of the same users clean their cars often but never clean their devices. Here are a few simple PC cleaning and computer maintenance tips:

• Wipe Your Monitors and Screens – We recommend wiping your monitors and screen with a soft cloth once per week. It is essential to clean them gently because screens can be easily damaged by pressing on them.
• Dust and Blow Out Keyboards – Using a can of compressed air, blow the dust out of your keyboards and the surfaces of your devices. Dust is the enemy of electronics. We recommend dusting your devices every week. In addition to compressed air, you can wipe your keyboard with a clean, soft and slightly damp cloth.
  • If you use a non-optical mouse, the roller ball mechanism inside must be cleaned regularly. If you have a corded mouse, unplug it first. Next, turn over your mouse and remove the cover and the ball. Blow out and clean the inside and the ball with a cloth and a small amount of alcohol.
  • If using an optical mouse, blow out any crevices on either side of the scroll wheel and wipe the overall surface with a cloth and alcohol, as suggested above.
• Avoid Eating and Drinking at Your Computer – Food particles in your keyboard will eventually cause keys to malfunction. Also, any liquids accidentally spilled on your keyboard, especially on laptops with built-in keyboards, could be deal breakers. An external keyboard can be replaced.
• Shut Down Daily and Reboot Often – Shutting down and rebooting is a rest and refresh for computers. Optimally, computers should be shut down daily when users are finished using them. Shutdowns allow the machine to cool down, clear its RAM, rest its circuits and avoid late-night cyberattacks while you sleep. If you are a creature of habit, make shutting down and rebooting a daily part of your routine.
• Clean Inside Twice Per Year – If you feel comfortable opening your machine, refer to your device’s manual or website for the best way to open the case and any necessary precautions. Also, remember that laptops and desktop computers have different considerations to be addressed. You may use a handheld computer vacuum to reach every internal circuit and component. For more difficult-to-reach dust, you can also try using compressed air.

In addition to scheduled internal and external cleanings, there are many more serious elements to computer health:

• Use Up-To-Date Antivirus Software – Cybercrime is at an all-time high. Having robust and up-to-date antivirus software is imperative for computer health. Remember, malware can be designed to overwhelm computers and fry hard drives. In addition, out-of-date protection might not have the latest virus definitions.
• Update Software and Firmware
  • Software updates often contain security patches and fixes related to the app. For that reason, accepting all updates should be a standard operating procedure.
  • Firmware, the software that controls hardware operations, should also be updated whenever updates are released.
• Debloat Your Device – The harder your computer has to work to retrieve and store data, the slower it will run. Overworking can shorten the lifespan of all devices. Removing old files and programs you don’t need will immediately lighten the load. However, the remaining data will be stored in a disorganized manner with large gaps on the storage drive. That’s why it is crucial to defragment your storage drive monthly. Defragmentation is the sorting and reorganizing of stored data to make retrieval more accessible and faster. Imagine a public library packed with books. If any of them were removed simultaneously, there would be gaps on the shelves in different sections. Then, librarians would have to reorganize the books and move them to appropriate sections, closing the gaps and making them easier to find. You can usually find a defragging function in your computer’s control panel. However, if you have a Mac, they defragment automatically.
• Avoid Over-Charging Laptops – Overcharging your laptops and tablets can wear out their batteries. It is best only to charge laptops when necessary and allow the batteries to drain a bit rather than leaving them plugged in overnight.
• Use Premium Surge Protection – A power strip is not a surge protector. A surge protector blocks excess power that, if allowed in, could damage or ruin your devices. Electrical storms or utility company problems can cause such surges. Investing in a high-quality surge protector is well worth the expense.

If you are not confident about performing your own IT maintenance, consider contacting IT experts. Many will perform onsite repairs and, when appropriate, online computer repairs.