1. PC Care Tips

2. Computers need air circulation to keep them cool. As they continue to get faster, they use more voltage and therefore run hotter. Don't place your PC in a cramped place. Also, there should be no big holes in the case as this leads to poor circulation.

3. Computers do not like dust and smoke very much. Dust can cause components to malfunction and short out from the static electricity build-up. Smoke kills a computer faster than it kills people as it can lead to tar build-up on fans and components.

4. A surge protector is a must have, especially if your computer is in an older building. Power surges and lightening will short a computer out with one hit. Also, computers with a modem need a surge protector with modem protection. Surges can come in through phone lines. A UPS, or Uninterruptible Power Supply, is a good idea and can easily pay for itself from computer repair labor charges.

5. Do not plug devices into the computer while it is on, unless you are inserting a USB device. USB devices are the only devices which are hot-swappable, meaning you can plug and unplug them while the computer is on.

6. As long as your computer is under warranty, never throw away the original packaging. Also, you should keep everything that came with the computer (manuals, diskettes, CD- ROMs) in a safe place.

7. Printers should be turned off only by the power button on the printer case, never by a surge protector it is plugged into.

8. If at all possible, do not eat or drink around your PC. If you do, be extremely careful. Spilling liquid on your keyboard can short the computer out.

9. Always use some form of Anti-Virus software. Viruses are the cause of most service calls we get.

10. Backing up your data periodically will protect your data and make it easier to recover from a disastrous event. Please back up!

11. Scandisk and Defrag are very useful programs in the protection of your data.

12. write down all error messages. Doing this can help technicians repair your PC faster, which can save you money.

13. Preventive maintenance (PM) has the following meanings: 1.The care and servicing by personnel for the purpose of maintaining equipment and facilities in satisfactory operating condition by providing for systematic inspection, detection, and correction of incipient failures either before they occur or before they develop into major defects. 2.Maintenance, including tests, measurements, adjustments, and parts replacement, performed specifically to prevent faults from occurring.