Computers can be workhorses. They’re designed to withstand a lot of punishment. However, there are things you can do to prolong the life of your PC.
Turn it off when not in use
The tower of your PC is filled with complex parts, electrical currents, and hardworking fans. If you leave your computer on 24/7, you increase its general workload and its chances of overheating. It needs a chance to cool down.
Try to get into the habit of shutting your computer off at the end of the day or when it’s not in use. This will prolong the life of the hardware, save on energy, and can even help protect your computer from the inside out.
Be careful what you click
Advertisers are getting more crafty by the day. A lot of them are legitimate business trying to bring in revenue, but just as many are scams, viruses, or trackers.
Many malicious ads make use of “click bait”. Ads containing phrases such as “you have messages waiting”, “download free software here”, or “check your credit status” are just a few examples of click bait. Some malicious ads will locate legitimate download pages and position a fake “download” button near a real download button.
Keep your vents clean
The internal structure of computers has changed drastically over the years. They started out as mechanical Goliaths who required entire rooms and constant refrigeration just to function. Tower cooling systems have made huge advances, but they still require a little help.
Try to keep your computer tower off the floor if it is located in a carpeted room or an area with pets. Make sure there is plenty of space around it to allow ample airflow. About once a week, take a dry cloth and run it over the vents on all sides of your computer; be careful not to dislodge any cables in the back. The palm of your hand will also work. Do not use compressed air on these vents, as it will only blow the debris back into the machine.
Use a maintenance program
There are a lot of programs claiming to speed up your PC and fix registry errors. However, finding the right one can be like traversing a minefield.
I’ve personally been using Piriform’s products for quite some time now. I’ll explain them in more detail in a later post. I generally recommend trying the free version of most programs before you commit to a paid version, as long as you can get the free version from the company itself. Which leads to my next point…
Beware of “FREE”
Open-source (or “free”) programs abound nowadays. There are heaps of good ones with dedicated development teams, amazing support, and beautiful functionality. Many companies offer decent free versions of their software. However, caution must be used.
I recently helped a client recover her computer from a number of issues. She was trying to get the “free version” of a program which I had never heard of before. She linked me to a YouTube video explaining how to install it, and I saw that she was unknowingly about to pirate a costly software (she immediately stopped when I explained to her what was going on).
It can be easy to mistake an illegal “free” version of a program for the real thing. However, the best course of action is to see if the program’s company offers a free version of any kind; if not, any freebies are most likely illegally sourced and loaded with malware.
These are just the basics for keeping your PC happy and healthy. I plan to share more tips and tricks soon so keep an eye out for updates!