How to Perform Preventive Maintenance on Personal Computers

Many people buy a computer, plug it in, and then forget about it. Performing some basic preventive maintenance can be some of the best medicine for keeping your computer healthy and running longer. Here's a common-sense take on how to get it done.

Instructions

1. Keep it clean. One of the worst enemies of electronic devices is heat, and one of the best ways to prevent excessive heat buildup is to keep your computer clean. Ensure your monitor and computer are adequately vented, and that vents, fans, and exhausts are not blocked or clogged with dust. A small hand vacuum is great for cleaning out dust and grit.

2. Maintain consistent power supplies. Losing power suddenly can harm data and your operating system, not to mention put physical stress on components. Plug your computer and monitor into surge protectors, and consider getting a UPC (uninterruptible power supply) to supply a steady stream of power during blackouts and brownouts.

3. Defrag your hard drives frequently so they'll work to their optimum levels. Monitor the amount of storage space you're using, and replace or add on as necessary. Consider purchasing a third-party utility to monitor your computer for spyware, viruses and registry errors, which can significantly slow your computer or damage data.

Tips & Warnings

• Stay on top of your maintenance.