Are you sick and tired of fixing your computer? Do you feel like you waste too much time and money on repairs? Well, you're in luck because we're here to help! With these simple yet valuable tips, your computer won't be an inconvenience anymore. Believe it or not, there are many little things you can do to prevent major computer catastrophes. Whether you're part of a small business, a multinational corporation, or just a home user, these minor suggestions will help keep your computer in tiptop shape.
Old hardware
Studies have shown that most computer difficulties are a result of old hardware. After about 24 to 36 months, the likelihood of problems increases significantly. With computer prices rapidly declining, one major repair bill might even cost you more than a new system. Therefore, consider replacing your system every 3 years—it may save you more in the long run.
In addition to data loss, surge and power drops can cause significant damage to sensitive components and even reduce their lifespan. For the most part, surge damage occurs over a long period of time without obvious signs of impairment. Ultimately, this means they will wear out over time. One way you can prevent this is by replacing your surge protector every two or three years.
Another way you can protect against power surges is to look for a surge protector that offers phone/fax and coaxial protection, automatic shutdown, EMI/RFI filtration, and a connected equipment-warranty. The higher the joule rating, the longer the surge protector will last.
Illegal software
Nowadays, many software programs automatically report their usage via the Internet. Although this may seem unimportant, many businesses don't realize that they don't own software—just the licenses to use it on a specific number of PCs. As a result, breach-of-license letters and audits from software manufacturers to businesses are certainly on the rise.
Training
According to recent research, most employees understand less than 20 percent of the software products they use. Although training your staff may seem like a waste of money at first, the gain in productivity far outweighs the cost.
Firewall and security
The Internet is full of hackers who are trying to steal files or customer records and delete important data. For this very reason, it's important that your computer is updated with the latest security patches, including proper installation and maintenance of firewalls.
Backing up data
It sounds so obvious, but the consequences of lost data can be truly devastating. In spite of this, many companies fail to back up their data 100% of the time. In some cases, lost data can put a company out of business—if not, it's still frighteningly expensive to retrieve it.
Spam, viruses, and spyware
You should consider good virus protection, spam filters, and anti-spyware programs as mandatory if you want a trouble-free computer. Most service calls are from people with problems directly related to these issues. With a small amount of common sense and weekly maintenance, you'll spend far less on the repair person and have much more time to focus on your valuable work.
