Lesson 4 computer maintenance

1. Lesson 4 computer maintenance Christian Jones

2. Chapter objectives • Identify problems that can occur if hardware is not properly maintained. • Identify routine maintenance that can be preformed by the users. • Identify maintenance that should be preformed by experienced professionals.

3. Hardware maintenance One of the best ways to cut down on computer repair is through preventative maintenance preformed on a regular schedule. As a general rule you should clean a computer every 3-6 months. If it is in a dusty environment, however, you should clean it more often.

4. Hardware maintenance: keyboard you should check and clean the keyboard periodically. Dirt, dust, hair, and food particles can accumulate, causing the keys to jam or otherwise malfunction. Many people clean the keyboard by turning it upside down and shaking it. A more effective method, however, is to use compressed air. Every 6 months, you can use a can of compressed air to remove the dust from the keyboard. If you spill a liquid onto the keyboard, turn off the computer immediately. Disconnect the keyboard, spray is with water to clean it, turn it upside down and shake to remove the liquid and then use a cloth to dry it as much as possible. After it is cleaned, leave it upside down for 12 hours.

5. Hardware maintenance: mouse A mouse with a ball can be difficult to move if the rollers are clogged. Cleaning mechanical mice often eliminates jerky or erratic movement of the mouse pointer. To clean the rollers, you need to remove the bottom cover of the mouse. Generally, you will find dirt or hair in the middle of the roller. Remove as much of this this debris as much as possible, and then reassemble the mouse.

6. Hardware maintenance: printers Cleaning a printer helps prolong the printers life. The first step is to check the printer documentation. If this is unavailable, most likely you can find information online. Recall that the two more popular types of printers are inkjet and laser. The following general instructions apply to both types of printers. • Turn off the printer. • Use a cleaner recommended by the manufacturer, or a lint free cloth, and then moisten it with a solution of half water and half vinegar. Wring out all unneeded moisture and clean the outside of the printer, making sure that no liquid gets in the printer. • Never spray aerosol directly onto the computer. • Its not required to but, consider wearing latex gloves to protect from dirt and other debris.

7. Computer memory One way to measure your computers memory is by the RAM. The RAM is made up of small computer memory chips that form memory modules. The modules are installed in the RAM slots on the mother board of your computer. The hard drive is the long term memory of the computer and the RAM (random access memory) is the short term.

8. Preventative maintenance Computer slow down as you add files and when you delete files, install and uninstall software, and perform normal activities. To get rid of or slow down these problems, Microsoft windows comes with a set of utilities that have special functions. You use these to defragment the hard drive, empty the recycle bin, delete temporary files, and get rid of cookies. you should run these following a routine maintenance so that the computer runs faster and more efficient.

9. Preventative maintenance: disk defragmentation As you use your computer, you add and delete file on the computer, on the operating system, such as windows vista. Windows contains a defragging utility that reduces the amount of fragmentation by physically organizing the contents of the disk stored in pieces of each file contiguously.

10. Preventative maintenance: recycling bin The recycle bin is a holding area for files and folders before their final deletion from storage. To empty the bin, right click the icon and click empty recycle bin. A warning box is displayed. Click yes to continue or no to cancel the command. To restore a file from the recycle bin, open up the bin to display the list of deleted files, right click a file and click restore.

11. Preventative maintenance: temporary files Various applications, such as window suite, can create temporary files. This actions is used for the following 3 reasons: • To free memory • To act as a safety net • For printing

12. Preventative maintenance: cookies Cookies are small text files that web sites use to identify specific computers. the file is create or updated when you visit the site on your computers hard drive. cookies are not a threat to your computer. cookies are used to monitor your surfing habits.

13. Specialized maintenance The following list of hardware maintenance or repair that should be preformed by a computer professional: • Replace the power supply or open the power supply case • Replace other electrical components • Replace or add a hard disk • Replace of add additional RAM

14. Risk of network computing The security of a computer network is challenged every day by day by equipment problems, system failures, hackers, and viruses. Equipment malfunctions and system failures are caused by a number of factors such as natural disasters, fires and electrical disturbances. People who break into computer systems are called hackers people create computer viruses and infect other computers for some of the same reasons.

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