George Fox University | Offices and Services | Institutional Technology | Best Things You Can Do For Your Computer

Best Things You Can Do For Your Computer

Laptop:

1) Get a padded carrying case. Shoulder bag or backpack; it doesn't matter. Just get something that will protect your computer from bumps and bruises.

2) Don't install junk. There are hundreds of "cute" programs out there--screensavers, little cats/monkeys/robots that wander the screen, and much more. Don't install them, unless you really really want a particular one. These "cute" programs take up resources (read: slower computer) and can conflict with other programs (read: crashes/freezes). Most of the time it's not worth it.

3) Get a mouse and/or keyboard. Yes, the laptop has a mouse, but for extended use nothing beats a real mouse plugged into the back of your computer. Same thing for a keyboard. Some people really don't mind using the laptop's keyboard. Many others love having a real keyboard for those long writing sessions.

4) Keep it dry. Computers hate coffee, colas, and anything else wet. Be deliberate about keeping the drinks far enough from the computer so that spills don't flood the keyboard. Watch out for flower vases too. Oh and by the way, computers don't think much of food either.

5) Keep your computer off the floor and chairsâ?¦ The most common physical repair laptops need is for a cracked screen, and this usually happens when someone steps/sits on the computer. If you're not in the habit of leaving the computer in harm's way, you won't fall into this expensive club. ...But not too high up. The other cracked screen source is from the computer falling. Oh, and this often happens when power or network cords are strung across a space and someone trips over them. Ouch (see 1 above).

6) Keep virus definitions up to date. Please, please, please, update your virus definitions as often as possible. There are over 69,000 different viruses out there, and most students get infected with at least one of them every year because their virus definitions are out of date. It only takes a couple of minutes for you to hit the "LiveUpdate" button and keep your computer safe from viruses.

7) Defrag. Remember to defragment your hard drive every once in a while. At least once a month is recommended. It helps to keep your computer from slowing down as a result of having to search all over for fragmented data.

8) Maximizing your battery life: Recommendations on prelonging the life of your laptop battery.

Desktop:

1) Keep wires and cables hidden. A desktop computer comes with a myriad of cables and wires to plug into the back of your tower or desktop. Remember to try and keep those cables and wires out of the way behind a desk or somewhere else safe. Also try to keep them neat and untangled, because they can be a pain to sort out when you want to unplug something or move the computer.

2) Place the tower in a place with good ventilation. You want to keep your tower in an area so that it has good airflow running through it. The last thing you want is for your CPU to overheat. Not pretty. Don't place your computer in a corner where the hot air will be trapped inside the case.

3) Don't install junk. There are hundreds of "cute" programs out there--screensavers, little cats/monkeys/robots that wander the screen, and much more. Don't install them, unless you really really want a particular one. These "cute" programs take up resources (read: slower computer) and can conflict with other programs (read: crashes/freezes). Most of the time it's not worth it.

4) Keep it dry. Computers hate coffee, colas, and anything else wet. Be deliberate about keeping the drinks far enough from the computer so that spills don't flood the keyboard. Watch out for flower vases too. Oh and by the way, computers don't think much of food either.

5) Keep virus definitions up to date. Please, please, please, update your virus definitions as often as possible. There are over 69,000 different viruses out there, and most students get infected with at least one of them every year because their virus definitions are out of date. It only takes a couple of minutes for you to hit the "LiveUpdate" button and keep your computer safe from viruses.

6) Defrag. Remember to defragment your hard drive every once in a while. At least once a month is recommended. It helps to keep your computer from slowing down as a result of having to search all over for fragmented data.