Preventive maintenance is the best way to keep equipment running smoothly and also extend its life.
In addition to taking care of this at work, it is very important to maintain good habits with the devices we have at home.
With the advent of smartphones, tablets and smart TVs, these other devices often end up being placed in the corner.
But, you will understand how it is possible to keep your computer out of trouble and in a good working condition at all times.
Best Practices for Your Computer
To begin, pay close attention to where you leave the machine.
Desktops should never be placed directly on the floor.
Ideally, they should be at least 20cm high, so that they do not accumulate dust, which can damage the machine severely.
In the case of notebooks, you should avoid placing them on soft surfaces (such as blankets, for example).
Placing notebooks on fabrics prevents ventilation, which usually starts with a suction grid at the bottom of the equipment.
Therefore, using the notebook directly in bed, without specific support, is a habit that should not be cultivated.
Cleanliness is another essential factor.
When you’re out of time, eating at the computer may seem like the only alternative.
However, avoid this as much as possible: food scraps and crumbs can damage your machine, in addition to attracting ants, which in some cases are seduced by the device’s heat or electric field.
Ventilation Care
The ventilation of computers (portable or desktop) is another point often overlooked by users.
A computer that overheats will have a shorter life span, as it contains delicate components that are very sensitive to high temperatures.
Try to buy a CPU with a well-ventilated case, and keep it away from closed cabinets.
The installation must be done in an environment with good air circulation.
As for notebooks, a recurring error on the part of users is to keep it in their lap for long periods, obstructing the air passage and overheating the equipment, which, in some cases, can cause serious burns.
Most Recurring Problems
Incredibly, the most common problem with computers is still virus infestations, which are most often received via email.
Viruses are sent with the most diverse purposes: to delete your files, track your passwords and bank details.
A not very common type, but very dangerous, are the ramsonwares, which block access to your files in exchange for a sum of money.
As for the components, the computer’s HD (Hard-Disk) and the fan (for both CPU and Notebook) are the ones that work the most with mechanical wear, so they are the most susceptible to problems.
The fan, in particular, because it captures a lot of dust, can have its performance compromised by not being able to rotate and move the mass of sufficient air.
The consequence is damage to the CPU, which can even be burned by overheating.
Lifetime of a machine
Component manufacturers currently work with an indicator called MTBF – Mean Time Betweeen Failure – in free translation, How Many Hours for a Failure.
This indicator has varied between 40,000 and 100,000 hours of use, depending on the manufacturer and the origin of its parts.
According to the Electrical Engineer, Eric Lieb: “Used properly, a computer can present hardware problems (physical problems) from five years onwards”.
Other problems may arise much earlier, usually related to the software (programs and applications) installed, which impact the performance and reliability of the equipment in the same way.
Tips For A Problem-Free Computer
Keep your Operating System always up to date;
Use a reliable antivirus and keep it up to date;
Do not allow your device to be severely impacted, especially while it is on;
Protect it from extreme temperatures. If you notice that its temperature is outside the range recommended by the manufacturer (usually between 10 and 30 degrees), seek technical help;
Dust, temperature, humidity, and vibration are the most harmful variables for your computer. Never leave it under these conditions;
Perform an annual preventive maintenance with a trusted technician.
What is the difference between Hardware and Software?
The difference between hardware and software is a recurring question among users who do not have as much knowledge about technological devices as desktops, notebooks, tablets, among others
At first, the names may seem a little complicated to laymen on the subject, but in practice, these nomenclatures are much easier to understand.
To contextualize, in the first place, it is important to emphasize that all computers are a combination of hardware and software. That is, these items work together on a machine, and not in isolation, as they are traditionally imagined.
If you prefer to watch the video instead of reading, feel free:
So, what is the difference between hardware and software?
The hardware is the physical and tangible items of the device from his office to the parts that compose it. The software, in turn, is the equivalent of the device’s mind.
Among some of the hardware we can list are:
- monitor
- memory
- sound cards
- video card
- chips
- processors
- cooler (fan).
This term applies to all types of technological equipment, including cell phones, Smart TVs, reading devices (such as the Kindle) or Wearables (smartwatches, for example).
The software category includes all programs, operating systems, and applications that make the machine work.
The software is responsible for making the calls and sending the necessary commands to make each hardware work, in the same way, that synapses occur in the brain.
The software is made from numerous codes and customized according to the technologies of different computer manufacturers.
Operating systems are an example of this. Systems like the famous Windows , Linux , Android and iOS are configured in different ways.
Other examples are:
- Browsers
- antivirus
- text and image editing programs
- video playback programs.
and any other application on the computer, are called software.
Hardware and software work together
Having explained these concepts, it is clear that hardware and software depend on each other for the functioning of a computer.
Basically, when the device is turned on, it is the role of the software to transmit the impulses necessary for the hardware to work.
In addition, there is a specific software (program) for each hardware (component) of the equipment.
There is one that will send the commands for the video card to generate the images, another for the audio card to interpret the sounds and so on.
Therefore, each time the user runs his text editor – For example, Microsoft Word – he interacts with the monitor (hardware) and the hard disk storage, known as HD.
The operating system, in this case, Microsoft Windows, takes on the role of a translator in this exchange of information between hardware and software.
It is the operating system that makes the execution of tasks possible, with real work in “team”.
Stay connected on our blog, we have several articles on the subject. Also, be sure to read the 6 hardware problems that can take your sleep away and prevent them.
