The old saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, is based on the idea that good nutrition can prevent disease. This concept is old and dates back to the ancient Romans. And in computers, the same principle applies — the better that a computer is kept and maintained, the fewer the problems and viruses it will experience.
Some ideas are as simple as keeping the device clean and free of dust, while others involve performing some tasks on a regular basis. By following a maintenance schedule, your system will be kept at a higher level, thus preventing the need to call a computer technician. When these strategies are implemented throughout an entire business, you can save a lot of money. Here’s how.
A clean computer will perform better and last longer, and the inside should be as free of dust as possible. The tools of choice are generally a Phillips screwdriver, rubbing alcohol, paper towels, and a can of compressed air.
Use a can of compressed air to blow away as much as possible. If the inside of the machine is very dirty, you may want to consider doing this outdoors. With the paper towel and alcohol, clean the vents and any other non-board area. Ensure that the heat sink and fan are clean and can spin without a problem.
Update critical systems
Most issues involving computers are preventable. Users accidentally open an attachment that should have been avoided or download a program that is infected with malware. Although it is best to avoid these errors, if your antivirus, antimalware, and operating system are updated, then the prevention mechanisms can detect the problem and avoid further issues.
Therefore, open these applications consistently and ensure that they are up-to-date. Most will have an update feature within the software. Otherwise, visit the vendor’s website and obtain the latest editions. For operating systems such as Microsoft Windows, users can update by searching for “update windows” from the main Windows screen.
System backups and additional assistance
At some point, everyone has lost an important file. Performing backups is one of those things that is relatively easy to do, yet many people opt out or forget to do it. Only when the consequences are felt do they understand the importance.
Today, backing up is easier than ever. Countless cloud services exist that can automatically upload files to servers, including Google Drive, One Drive, and Carbonite, among many others. Furthermore, remember that technicians charge by the hour: if you can save time by having items readily available, such as a time-consuming backup, the service bill will be less. All businesses should have a comprehensive data recovery plan that protects their vital data assets.
Lastly, not all problems are avoidable, and at some point, you will need assistance. Businesses are even more vulnerable to this since they will generally possess more machines, thus increasing the likelihood of having a problem beyond basic maintenance. Make sure to look for reputable companies that offer full computing services, including set-up, maintenance, management, consulting, and a service helpdesk support.
Services close to your base of operation is critical. For example, if in the London area, IT support in London that offer quick turnaround when problems occur will be the difference between getting back to normal and losing possible sales or reputation over a simple computer malfunction.