Computer Care and

Maintenance
FAQs related to Computer Care

10 Essential Computer Maintenance Tips

Maintain Your Desktop

Energy Saving Tips to Reduce Workplace Energy Costs

How to Keep Your Laptop Battery in Good Condition

Analog vs. Digital

10 Essential Computer

Maintenance Tips

10 Essential Computer Maintenance Tips

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Today’s computers come in many different shapes and sizes, and each keeps us connected to our

digital world at any given time. Whether you depend on your collection of devices for work or play,

keeping them in impeccable, unblemished condition is of the utmost importance. From their

cosmetic appeal to their operational functionality, a well-maintained computer looks good, lasts

longer, and performs reliably.

Keeping your PC in tip-top condition lengthens the life of your PC, both internally and externally. A

glitchy operating system, overheating CPU, or fast-draining battery are avoidable computer woes

that a bit of regular maintenance could defend against. Let’s take a look at these 10 essential

maintenance tips, so your PC will see many more years of powerful performance and sleek appeal.

1. Protect with padding

Everyone has been there; drops, bumps, and slips result in unsightly cosmetic dings that leave

your computer looking less-than-loved. If you’re like most people who travel with their PC,

safeguarding against accidents can feel next to impossible when packing your PC away into a

carry-on. An exposed laptop is vulnerable to all of the elements of travel you likely want to protect

it from.

Whether you’re traveling business-class or to a classroom across campus, shielding your PC

against the elements starts with a protective case. There are a few different styles of protection

that offer differing levels of armor and functionality. These include:

SKINS
Functioning as a full-body laptop sticker, laptop skins are best for protecting the chassis from light

damage and scratches.

HARDSHELL SNAP-ON COVERS

Polycarbonate, plastic, or rubberized hard shell laptop covers protect your PC while still granting

easy access to ports, buttons, lights, and fans.

SLEEVES
A simple, soft, envelope-style pouch typically made of gentle materials like nylon, polyester,

suede, or microfiber, laptop sleeves are lightweight protection.

MESSENGER BAG
A shoulder bag specifically designed to accommodate your laptop and necessary peripherals, the

dedicated laptop messenger bag offers the most padded protection.

2. Organize cords
The only thing more frustrating than dealing with long, confusing cables is getting them all mixed

up and tangled in the process. Keeping your digital world connected is a must, so nixing the cables

isn’t a feasible option. Taking the time to declutter and organize the snake-like mass of wires

spawning from your power strip and PC ports is a great first step for both desktop and laptop

users. Try these wire organization tips:

A ROTATING POWER STRIP

Traditional power strips offer a single line or panel of surge inputs. A rotating power strip gives you

the freedom to modify the positioning of your many chargers, monitors, and docks.

COLOR-CODING CABLES
Computer cables tend to be two colors; black and white. Organizing your mess of wires may be as

simple as color coding them with reds, blues, yellows, greens, and or using labels in

distinguishable hues.

CABLE CLIPS
Wire management is made simple when you attach cable clips to your desk, wall, or floor. These

small clips are designed to hold cables of all different sizes.

ORGANIZER PANEL
Functioning as a panel of cable clips, a wire organizer panel accommodates multiple wires. Stick it

in place with an adhesive or keep it desk-side when you use a weighted panel.

Pro tip: Be sure to keep your wires away from any footpaths. Tripping over wires could result in

the toppling of your devices, doing more damage in an instant than years of use could ever do.

3. Update your operating system

If you’re looking for basic computer maintenance, keeping your operating system up to date is one

of the easiest solutions. Regardless of whether you’re a Windows, Mac, or Linux loyalist, updating

your PC when new patches are available ensures your PC stays at the cutting-edge of performance

power.

Windows 10 is known for keeping users in-tune with once-a-day update checks. This automated

scan occurs in the background and always notifies you if there are any important software or

operating system patches that need to be made. The end goal is to optimize your PC performance,

so when Windows suggests you update, you should do it.

Pro-tip: Some updates take longer than others. Set aside time before bedtime or during a

daytime break to let Windows do its thing without interrupting your workflow.

4. Unplug to avoid overcharging

With heightened dependence on wireless devices, optimizing battery power is a top priority for

many. There are few things more dreadful than a draining battery when you’ve got hours of work

and play left on your day’s schedule. However, it’s better to resist the temptation of plugging in

the moment your PC falls under 50% battery life.

Unnecessary charging can lead to overcharging, which then leads to regenerative capability

deterioration. This often looks like a laptop that can’t hold a charge as well as it could in its earlier

days.

Being shackled to the weight of a charger defeats the purpose of a laptop’s wireless portability. To

avoid a bad battery fate, unplug your device after it reaches 100% charge, and don’t plug in until

power is actually low.

5. Purge your system of junk files

and programs
Computers tend to show their age best in the number of unused files living on their hard drives.

Useless programs and old junk files likely take up more space than you realize. From old versions

of software to retired versions of your resume, your PC is sure to have its fair share of digital

debris festering on your desktop or in your start menu. These programs and files can quickly turn

into performance hogs if they continue to accumulate.

Before your computer gets to a point where it’s begging for more storage space, use these PC

purge tips to relieve your system.

Uninstall trialware

Run disk cleanup software

Empty the recycle bin

Delete temporary files

Remove cache of offline web pages

6. Run regular antivirus scans

Malware attacks can sneak up on you at any given moment, and in the event one does, having a

savvy antivirus living on your PC will protect you against the damage viruses bring. Weekly

antivirus scans ensure your computer is always clear of malicious software infections. A basic scan

will examine your computer for any glaring dangers or outstanding activity.

For those who are frequent web-users and download programs and files regularly, consider

running a virus scan twice a week. It’s always better to err on the side of safety, especially when
your personal data could be at risk.

Malware infections can compromise the performance of your computer and expose your

confidential information to third-party cybercriminals. Depending on the type of malware installed

on your system, a virus could also:

Slow web browser speeds

Disrupt network connections

Freeze or crash your system

Alter computer settings

Allow unauthorized access to system resources

By running regular antivirus scans you can rest assured that nothing slips by. Be sure to choose an

antivirus scan servicer that also scans all of your downloads, too.

7. Clean the keyboard and case

You’d be surprised to see just how much dust and debris lives underneath your keyboard’s keys.

From food crumbs and dog hairs to dust and dirt, and everything else that can fit in between the

keys, a number of dirty particles can clog your keyboard. This usually results in sticky or difficult-to-

press buttons.

Clearing out these hard-to-reach parts of your laptop or desktop setup is most easily done with a

compressed air canister, available from office supply stores, computer stores, and hardware stores.

FOR EXTERNAL KEYBOARDS

Unplug the keyboard from the USB port or power it off if it’s wireless. Tilt the keyboard upside

down and shake any loose debris out first. Spray compressed air at an angle and approximately 1-

inch away from the keys. Use a damp microfiber cloth to finish the job, removing any excess dust

or grime.

FOR THE LAPTOP USER

Power your laptop off and unplug any USB or power supply inputs. Tilt the laptop upside down and

gently tap it to encourage any loose debris to come out. Set the laptop down in its natural position

and spray between keys from about 1-inch away. Spray in short bursts moving from one side of
the keyboard to the other.

If you find certain spots tougher to clean than others, use a cotton ball dipped in isopropyl alcohol

as a great alternative. Alcohol evaporates more quickly than water which makes it the perfect

solution for hardened debris.

Pro-tip: When cleaning your laptop or desktop, absolutely avoid pouring any type of liquid onto

the body. Water and electronic devices do not mix well and could result in extreme damage to

your computer.

8. Update your passwords

Believe it or not, updating your passwords is a task as crucial as backing up your data. Verizon’s

2017 Data Breach Investigations Report found that an alarming 81% of hacking-related breaches

leveraged either stolen and/or weak passwords [1]. Poor password behavior encompasses

everything from using the same password for every account to using simple, guessable passwords

like “password” or “123456.”

When it comes to basic computer maintenance, protecting your digital world against

cybercriminals should always be at the forefront of your task list. No security system is perfect,

and more today than ever before, consumers are realizing this on a large scale.

If you’re overdue for a password update, consider using these strong password generation tips:
1. Use at least 10 characters

2. Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters

3. Include both numbers and special symbols

4. Add emoticons if possible (:O, :(, :D, :), T.T)

A strong password safeguards all of your data against potential third-party hackers which is

precisely why it’s such an essential part of computer maintenance.

9. Organize your data

It’s easy to let your computer’s data organization run awry when your work and play lifestyle

doesn’t leave much time for calculated file management. Whether it’s old music files from your

garage band days or downloaded add-ons for your favorite simulation game, your PC’s many

folders can grow crowded.

If you can’t remember the last time you took a look through your downloads folder, you’re likely

overdue for a visit. The same applies to the rest of your default folders (documents, photos, etc.).

Dealing with a cluttered desktop or crowded computer folders may be a daunting task, but with

these tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to a functioning system of files and folders.

CREATE LARGE, MAIN FOLDERS

Everyone uses their computers for different primary purposes. A freelance writer will likely have

completely different main folder assignments than a professional gamer or a business owner. It’s

important to narrow down your digital world into easy folder divisions to make your first round of

organization a breeze, and your future rounds even easier.

CREATE SMALL SUB-FOLDERS

Within your larger primary folders, smaller sub-folders make your organization operation even

smoother. Being able to categorize files by their functionality or content will help you access them

whenever you need them. No search button necessary.

EMPTY YOUR DOWNLOADS FOLDER

Your downloads folder should function as a temporary cache for recently downloaded files. Get

into the habit of placing recent downloads in their proper folders or deleting them once they’ve

served their purpose.

CLEAR YOUR DESKTOP

When you power on your computer and saddle up for your day’s work or some light social media

browsing, you want to be able to do so without the stress of clutter. Clear your desktop of any

files, folders, or programs you don’t need readily available at every power-on.

CHOOSE THOUGHTFUL FILENAMES

If you’re frequently saving images, PDFs, and other common files, you know how easy it is to type

in gibberish for a successful “Save As” operation. Instead of rushing through, take the time to

come up with intentional file names so you always know what’s living on your hard drive and

where it’s located.

10. Back up your data

Part of owning a modern computer is to prepare for the unexpected. Sudden crashes, untimely

glitches, and random hardware failure all have the potential to damage the data living on your PC.

Backing up files is one of the most vital computer maintenance procedures PC users can do for

themselves. That’s why we’ve ranked it at our final spot. Your computer is replaceable, but without

a backup, your information is not.

Full backups are usually done on storage-heavy external hard drives and on the cloud. By making

duplicate copies of everything on your PC (actually having your data in 3 places is safest), all of

your valuable data lives both on your computer and inside of the external drive or cloud.

Check out our Knowledge Base guide for a comprehensive walkthrough on how to perform a full

backup on your Windows 10 or Windows 8 PC.

Maintain Your Desktop

Physical Care

Computers include various sensitive internal structures, and it’s important to protect

the physical wellbeing of your PC to maintain the internal components that make it run:

• Regularly clean and dust. Make sure you take the time to clean your PC of

dust and debris on a regular basis. Most electronics stores carry cans of

compressed air that are perfect for clearing out the dust and crumbs hiding

under the keys of your keyboard. Additionally, dust that collects in the air

vents of your PC could cause overheating. Try to make it a monthly habit to clean your PC’s air

vents, connection ports,

and keyboard with compressed air. Additionally, you should wipe down your

mouse and computer casing with a cleaning cloth. However, do not use

abrasive cleaners – a clean, dry microfiber cloth will do.

• Inspect power supply and devices. You more than likely use surge protectors

or similar devices to power your computer. It’s crucial to make sure these

devices stay in safe working order. You should regularly check your power

supply and power outlets and look for any signs of dust or moisture

accumulation – either could be serious hazards.

Make it a point to check the power cords and other cables attached to your PC
for signs of damage or fraying. Such damage can interfere with your PC’s

performance and is a fire hazard.

Internal Performance

Cleaning your computer internally means maintaining your system to ensure optimal

performance. Additionally, proper maintenance will help keep your files secure. A

poorly maintained or rarely updated system is more vulnerable to sophisticated hacking

methods.

Try to make a few things part of your daily routine:

• Run antivirus. Your computer may have vulnerabilities that you don’t notice

until it’s too late. It’s important to run your antivirus scan every day to make

sure any changes you made or files you downloaded have not compromised

your system. Additionally, some malicious programs embed into systems

without warning and require specific actions to trigger. Scanning your system

daily will help prevent this.

• Scan hard disk files. Over time, your computer’s hard drive can slow down due

to cluttered files. When you scan your system for errors using a disk

defragmenter or similar program, you’re essentially eliminating wasted space

and helping your PC run more efficiently.

• Update data backups. You should have at least one method for backing up

your data, whether it is on a cloud storage server or an external hard drive.

Make sure you take the time to update your backups every day. That way you

won’t have to worry about losing a day’s work in the event your PC

unexpectedly crashes.

• Clear your web browser. Every time you go online, the sites you visit store

temporary files such as cookies and browsing history. Clear these files out

to help keep them from bogging down your system.

• Shut down properly. At the end of the day, make sure you save your work

before closing all your programs and shutting down your PC. Leaving your PC

on when not in use for extended periods prevents it from cooling and can

impact the machine’s performance. If shutting down interferes with your daily

routine or business requirements, put your computer into a low-power or

hibernation mode instead.

Energy Saving Tips to

Reduce Workplace Energy

Costs
Establish energy-efficient practices: Depending on the utility company you are paying,

they usually have off to high peak times during the day. Try your best to only use excess

energy during the low or off-peak times. Encourage your employees to follow this same

model and see how energy usage decreases with more initiative.

Replace existing bulbs with CFL’s: CFL and LED lights consume less power and offer

much longer lifespans. Commercial lights qualified by the Design Lights Consortium (DLC) or

Energy Star can ever reduce energy consumption by up to 75% and increase the lifespan of

your fixtures by 2-3 times.

Use the hibernation feature of computers and laptops: Hibernate feature in laptops

and desktops allows you to save your existing work as it is, and you can continue from the

same point the next day. Schedule your workstation to switch to hibernate mode after

working hours and during weekends.

Buy energy-efficient devices: Energy-efficient devices cost more upfront, but over years

of use, they’re going to save you money. This holds true for any equipment that runs on
electricity – spending a little more can result in significant savings over the years.

Use energy-saving features: Educate your employees regarding energy-saving features

of air conditioners, printers and let them use those features to cut energy costs. Discard old

gadgets if they don’t have it and buy energy-efficient peripherals.

How to Keep Your Laptop

Battery in Good Condition

Here’s the best advice for keeping your laptop battery running as long as it

can on its little pack full of chemicals. Don’t worry if you can’t swear an oath to

them: like 8 cups of water a day, or 10,000 steps, they’re guidelines, and your

life may have present exceptions. But following as many as you will yield.

good results over years of use.

Keep It Between 40 and 80 Percent Charge

If You Leave It Plugged In, Don’t Let It Run Hot

Keep It Ventilated, Store It Somewhere Cool

Don’t Let It Get to Zero

Replace Your Battery When It Gets Below 80 Percent Health

Laptops are not good to keep on your lap. Because of their compact

size and lack of large cooling fans, laptops can get quite hot, to the

point of causing gradual skin burns, or “toasted skin syndrome.” If non-

toasted skin weren’t incentive enough, the heat your thighs create by

trapping heat and blocking vents is also killing the laptop battery.
Analog vs. Digital

Analog Digital

Signal Analog signal is a continuous signal which represents physical measurements.

Digital signals are discrete time signals generated by digital modulation.

Waves Denoted by sine waves Denoted by square waves

Representation

Uses continuous range of values to represent information

Uses discrete or discontinuous values to represent information

Example Human voice in air, analogue electronic devices.

Computers, CDs, DVDs, and other digital electronic devices.

Technology Analog technology records waveforms as they are.

Samples analogue waveforms into a limited set of numbers and records them.

Data transmissions

Subjected to deterioration by noise during transmission and write/read cycle.

Can be noise-immune without deterioration during transmission and write/read cycle.

Response to Noise

More likely to get affected reducing accuracy

Less affected since noise response are analogy in nature

Flexibility Analog hardware is not flexible. Digital hardware is flexible in implementation.

Uses Can be used in analogue devices only. Best suited for audio and video transmission.

Best suited for Computing and digital electronics.

Applications Thermometer PCs, PDAs

Bandwidth Analog signal processing can be done in real time and consumes less bandwidth.

There is no guarantee that digital signal processing can be done in real time and consumes more

bandwidth to carry out the

same information.

Memory Stored in the form of wave signal Stored in the form of binary bit

Power Analog instrument draws large power Digital instrument draws only negligible

power

Cost Low cost and portable Cost is high and not easily portable

Impedance Low High order of 100 megaohm

Errors

Analog instruments usually have a scale which is cramped at lower end and give

considerable observational errors.

Digital instruments are free from observational errors like parallax and

approximation errors.

https://www.diffen.com/difference/Analog_vs_Digital