How to Avoid a Computer Crash

Unfortunately for new computer users we live in a society that moves so quickly that many people don't stop to take the time to do some things properly. The computers of today are faster and more powerful. They are capable of multitasking, performing digital photography, converting musical files into MP3's, web conferencing and a myriad of other operations that only a few years ago were not even conceivable for the home computer. Now we use our computers on a regular basis for work and play. But what about maintenance? For a machine that works so hard, there must be some vital preventative measures that we take to keep them running up to spec. In a nutshell, here are some basic measures to keep your computer from experiencing hard drive failure “a crash”, and also prevent the delicate components inside from suffering damage due to a number of factors that are present.

1. We must first look at the way our computer power supply is arranged. The way we power up our system is responsible for more than 60% of the “blue screen of death” errors that we may see. They must be plugged into a dependable surge protected power bar. Like most things in the case of power bars you get what you pay for. If you are getting by with your computer plugged into a $4.99 Wal-Mart special power bar I would think again. A true surge protected power bar not only protects your computer from an access of power but the lack of complete power (a brown out), and can cost between $25.00 to $50.00. I've seen people with their monitor plugged directly into the wall outlet and their computer plugged in the same way. It is just a matter of time before the power of AC catches up with them and their computers are “fried”.
2. The motherboard, or circuit board of a computer consists of a plastic panel with thousands of strands of copper or gold (called bus-lines) running through it. I cannot emphasize how delicate this motherboard is. Many people find that after when they have moved their computer from one place to the other, that it doesn't work the way it used to (if at all). Moving a computer may damage these bus-lines and cause the computer to short out and not respond the way it is supposed to. The hard drive is also susceptible to moving damage so it is recommended that a computer be wrapped in bubble wrap, the hard drive removed and wrapped the same way, before moving a computer system from one residence to another. Never drop the computer into the back of a moving truck and hope for the best.
3. Use a UPS (uninterruptible power supply.) A UPS is basically a chargeable battery that kicks in the event of a sudden power failure. It sends enough electricity through your power bar to properly shut down your computer and avoids the abrupt loss of power, which can damage both your computer and your monitor. A UPS may cost approximately $50-$100 but the investment sure outweighs the loss of an expensive system due to a power failure.
4. Combat your number one enemy: dust. Dust is a factor in the proper operation of the components in your computer (sound card, video card, modem or Ethernet card, SCSI cards, etc) It is wise to purchase cans of compressed air and open your computer on a monthly basis and blow the access dust off of these components paying special attention to the fan vents and the ram slots. Dust can cause a slow down (or a possible crash) if left unattended. The fan vents must be cleared of dust to be effective in keeping the system running cool. A system that is not running cool is vulnerable to crashing or blue screening.

With these beginning steps regarding computer care we can enjoy the systems that we own for a long time to come and we will have little or few headaches because of them.