Personal Computer Maintenance Essay

Today, computers are an important part of our society. When a computer is running and performing like we expect, we’re happy. But, when our computers aren’t, life can be quiet unpleasant. Depending on how you use your computer, you can miss a few emails, or, worse, you can miss important deadlines at work. Maintaining your computers health isn’t only practical, it’s essential. There are several simple steps you can take to insure that your life line is never in jeopardy. But, of all these, there is one that is at the top of the list; backing up. Backing up your files will save you from having a big heartache, even if your computer decides to take the day off. Backing up your files is, undeniably, the most crucial step in securing that your information is never lost. There are several methods to keeping your data safe; they include CD-RW’s, external hard drives, D drives and the Internet. The D drive, external hard drives and CD-RW are excellent choices, but you can still loose your files in a fire, flood or theft. The only secure way to back up your data in a separate location is, the Internet. Some have been known to back up files using two to three different methods. This is your best bet to make certain you’re completely covered. Knowing that your files and data are safe is no excuse for neglecting the rest of your maintenance, something as simple as keeping your computer and monitor clean can have lasting benefits. Also, keeping your computer cool can detour major problems. Keeping your computer off the floor, especially carpet, since the vents are on the bottom, will help. If it has to be on the floor, sit it on something. Old books or magazines work great in giving your computer a little â€Å"breathing† room. If you’re experienced enough, you can cut/drill holes in your tower for extra ventilation. Heat can reduce the life of your CPU (central processing unit). Now that we’ve discussed the external maintenance, we can continue with the internal workings of your computer. Clutter is a huge contributing factor to your computer running sluggish. For maximum performance, a hard drive should only have half of its storage space in use. You should routinely delete temporary internet files and cookies. Remove any old files (especially pictures and videos) or applications that you no longer use. It’s also beneficial to defragment your hard drive from time to time. Defragging the data on your hard drive helps to properly reorganize how the data is stored on the drive, usually boosting system performance. Performing updates on your computers operating system will also keep your computer running smoothly. These are usually automatic and your PC will let you know when there are updates to be downloaded. If you’re like most of us, and use your computer daily without proper maintenance, there is an alternative. You can solicit the services of a professional â€Å"Geek. † These qualified wizards can, for a small fee, transform your PC. In the hands of the pros, there is no worry of further damage to your PC. Now, the next time your computer give you a fit, you’ll know how to handle it. Weather the maintenance is with your own hands or a professional’s, your computer will live a long and happy life and so will you.