Give your computer a good home
Does your computer have a good home? On a day to day basis your everyday actions can affect the life of your workstation. Just like your car needs to be treated well to run well, your computer needs a few basic things to keep the hardware running longer. In this post I will give you a few tips that can do that will give your computer hardware a longer more productive life.
Set your computer down flat
Talk to any hard drive manufacturer and they will tell you the same thing. When your computer is tilted the hard drive is more prone to failures and thus quicker to die.
Don’t move it
When you move your computer you are more likely cause damage to the hard drive. Further, if you move it while it’s turned on it’s even more likely to fail. There will be times when moving is necessary so be sure to be extra careful when you do move your computer. Try the following:
- Always power off the system before moving it, even if only a few inches
- When moving your computer a long distance, try putting it in a box with foam
- Never kick your computer and try to not bump it either. Using it as foot rest as so many people seem to do is not a good idea.
Use protection
As in power protection. At minimum your computer should be plugged into a surge suppressor, preferably a battery backup. See my post on power protection for more information.
Keep it cool
If your computer is overheating, it won’t take long before the hardware starts to fail. An overheated hard drive, motherboard, and even processor can all fail earlier than the normal expected lifetime. Make sure your computer is in an open space, keep the air vents clear (including from excess dust) and ensure you have enough fans. If you are afraid your computer may be running too hot, don’t take the computer case side off.
Michael Curnutt, President
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Daniel Wilson
October 18th, 2010 at 12:09 PM #
I’d love to hear more on your thoughts on newer form factors and placement. When dealing with PCs smaller than a Macmini or built in touch screens like the Shuttle how do we place them for best air circulation? How do we clean them out and how often?
Michael Curnutt
October 18th, 2010 at 4:34 PM #
Great questions, Daniel. With smaller form factor computers (anything smaller than the traditional ‘tower’), heat and good circulation become far more important things to consider. As I’m sure you know – as a computer gets smaller, the components inside get closer together. This allows for less heat dissipation and lowers the overall lifespan of the computer.
As far as cleaning them out, the best way would be to first turn off the computer and remove the power cord (you should allow a minute or two to allow the capacitors to fully discharge). Once the computer is off, unplugged and it has been unplugged for a minute or two, take a can of air and clean out the various fans and vents*. If you are comfortable with it, open your case and ensure you clean the various heat sinks throughout the computer.
When it comes to placement of these devices, my suggestion is easier said than done. Most small form factor computers are built especially for being kept in hidden cubbies. With that said, my recommendation is making sure you keep these computers in a highly ventilated area. If you have a small form factor computer that is designed for media use, and you are keeping it in an entertainment center, consider drilling vent holes near where the fans are going to be. Also, considering turning off the computer whenever you aren’t using it.
*There are multiple schools of thought on rather or not you should use canned air to clean a computer, but I personally have never had an issue with it. It is important to note that you follow the instructions laid out on the can of air including not holding the can horizontally.
Daniel Wilson
October 19th, 2010 at 10:35 AM #
Good info all around. How do you schedule something like that? I would love to say “every 6 months, I hire a Heald student for the day and clean out all my PCs” but the reality is I don’t. Is there a method you use to ensure your PCs are maintained?
Also in the era of increased demand for the ultra small form factor PCs. Do you have any recommendations for the politics of fighting for cubical space? More and more clients want desktop performance, with an iPad form factor.
Michael Curnutt
October 23rd, 2010 at 9:46 PM #
Daniel,
I’d say the schedule would vary from person to person. I’d say you’re right on with every six months. Thankfully, my PC is opened on regular basis as part of my job so I clear out dust I see when I open it. For others, there are a few ways to ensure the computers are maintained:
1) Put on your calendar to just do it every six months. Set it in a period where you are more likely to have time (i.e. CPA’s shouldn’t schedule it for April 14th)
2) Businesses can hire an IT consulting company like Expedient Technology to routinely clean out their computers.
3) Ask a tech savvy kid to go through and clean up the computers during the summer months. Pay um $5/PC.
Someday I’m sure we will have the iPad form factor with desktop performance. For now, when asked for unrealistic performance in a certain form factor, I explain that it would be like putting a V8 in a Prius. It would be great if a Prius could perform like a BMW M5, but it’s just not possible with current technology.