4 Easy Ways to Make Your PC Last Longer

Without proper upkeep, computers will eventually breakdown, and when a computer crashes, it will take your data with it to its silicone grave. Even a not-quite-dead-yet computer running poorly will cost your business money by freezing up and causing downtime. To prevent downtime and crashes, you will want to make sure you're doing these four easy PC maintenances.

System Updates
Every PC user should make the task of keeping their system up to date a priority. The routine of updating may seem trivial, and it's easy to ignore the prompts to update by selecting "cancel," but doing these system updates are required to keep your PC running smoothly. Performing routine system updates will also help keep your PC secure from the latest threats. Many of the updates are designed by the software manufacturer to shore up an application's vulnerabilities in order to protect your system from the latest threats on the web. Doing software updates doesn't have to be a tedious task; Computerware can do it for you with our remote IT services.

Surge Protectors
One easy way to help extend the life of your PC is by not plugging it directly into an outlet. Instead, you will want to use a surge protector to regulate the power fluctuations that wear down your PC's components. You won't see an immediate performance boost by plugging your PC into a surge protector, but you will be able to extend the life of your machine. You will be extremely thankful that you're plugged into a surge protector in the event of a sudden power outage.

A Clean PC is a Happy PC
A computer full of dust not only looks bad, but it also performs poorly. When dust piles up over a computer's electrical components and blocks the ventilation, it will cause your computer to overheat and slow down, possibly even causing physical damage. It's best practice to hit the insides of your PC with a shot of compressed air at least once a quarter. Doing this will clear out the dust and keep your machine cool.

Minimize Movement
Computers with disc hard drives should not be moved while they are powered on. You should even take extra care when transporting a laptop because they too can be negatively affected by too much movement. The danger from movement stems from hard drives being made up of tiny, delicate parts, like disc platters that store your data and spin at thousands of rpms. Too much movement can disrupt the precision mechanics of the hard drive, causing a hard drive crash.

These are just a few tips that will keep your computers running smoothly. In your business, you will want to apply these best practices and more to all of your workstations. By ensuring that your technology is performing optimally, you will experience less downtime and increase productivity. To learn more helpful PC maintenances and have IT professionals evaluate the performance of your company's network in order to find ways to improve efficiency, call Computerware at (703) 821-8200.