1. HOW NOT TO INCORRECTLY CARE FOR COMPUTER HARDWARE HANDLING AND STORAGE BY BLAINE AND ZACH

2. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS o One of the most important factors in prolonging the life of your computer hardware is the temperature of the components. Components that run hot have a much shorter life span than those that run cool so it is very important that you keep your components well ventilated and cooled as well as possible, but along with this it is important that before turning on a component make sure it is at leased at room temperature. o While computer hardware is not sensitive to humidity as temperature it can be affected by it. Obviously, computers need to be kept in a dry place away from anything that could get the hardware wet. You should also be weary of drinks or other liquids placed near computer hardware or a system. Computers should also be kept in a clean place to avoid damage. o Computer systems or hardware should also be kept away from electromagnetic interference (EMI) which can cause data loss and other problems.

3. KEEPING YOUR COOL o Internal airflow is a very important issue with computer systems and the life of the hardware inside. Some rules and tips to use to ensure good airflow in your system are: Keep the cover on, Cover exposed expansion slots and holes, Add additional fans, Use a large system case, Arrangement of your internal component, Keep the inside of your case clean o Along with internal airflow, external ventilation is a key factor in the life span and performance of your system and components. It is quite simple to ensure you have maximum external ventilation and that is: Don’t put papers on top of the ventilation grating on your monitor and don’t enclose the entire system in a unit box, or desk shelving, that will not let air circulate properly.

4. POWER CONDITIONING o There are a number of terms related to power problems, some of the most common problems are: Blackouts, brownouts, surges, spikes, & line noise o When power problems occur, they can cause very serious and permanent damage to both your equipment or data. It is very important that we avoid these issues by avoiding them in the first place. Some steps you can take to greatly reduce the chances of power problems with your computer are: Use power protection devices, check protection devices regular, use dedicated circuits, turn off power during a blackout, turn off and disconnect the power cord during an electrical storm

5. ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE (ESD) o An electrostatic discharge is that shock you get when you rub your feet along carpeted floor and touching someone. o Electrostatic discharge of ESD is caused by the build-up of an electrical charge on one surface that is suddenly transferred to another surface when it is touched. o While ESD doesn’t kill you, it can certainly kill your computer components, especially sensitive components to ESD are integrated circuits (processors, memory, cache chips and expansion cards). o A way to reduce the build up of ESD is to increase the relative humidity of the room of the computer. Static builds up more readily in dry environments than in moist ones. Also not wearing socks on carpet reduces the build up of ESD. o You can also drain the build of up ESD by touching the metal of your case when it is plugged in

6. STORAGE AND HANDLING Manufacturer’s Requirements When handling computer equipment, it is recommended that you follow the manufacturers guidelines on handling and storage. This is 99% of the time located in the User Guides/Manuals that accompany the product. Also, the manual may also be located on a CD that came with the product. If you somehow lose or misplace the product, the best place to find the missing manual is the manufacture's website on the internet. Locating Equipment When determining the most appropriate location, there are many point of views. A security viewpoint, it is not recommended to locate important network servers within easy access from the general public or even unauthorised employees. But for accessibility, it can be convenient for personnel to have easily accessible access to all equipment. Still, there are the physical services such as power, phone, network

7. STORAGE AND HANDLING CONTINUED Communication etc. where equipment can be placed in the most convenient and cost saving location close to outlets and connectors. Storing Equipment You will find that manufacturers will strongly recommend that you store equipment in the same box in which it was delivered. Though this can be a smart idea, it can often take up much more storage than needed. But it is still recommended that say you purchased five printers from the same manufacturer that you keep one packaging incase equipment needs to be returned. When storing equipment you should also consider the factors of temperature, humidity, dust etc. as if not stored correctly, the equipment may catch issues and problems.