Computers are an investment. Many of us may not have the means to buy a new one each time something goes wrong. So how do you take care of yours? One key piece all PC owners should know is the importance of removing dust from the inside of their computer.
We have spent a lot of time focusing on PC security, which is imperative. However, we also need to reiterate the importance of basic computer maintenance. When we forget about basic computer maintenance, even the best security software won’t do us any good in the long run.
I often give this analogy when educating people on the importance of this issue. A computer is like a car and every 3000 miles you have to change the oil. Now, you can go longer than that and not experience any problems. But if the neglect goes on for 2 years you probably won’t have a car to drive. The older the car gets the more things that are going to go wrong with it physically.
The same thing goes for our computers. Dust is hazardous to computer components and can cause overheating which results in events like unexpected shutdowns, blue screens, slowness etc.
The great thing about this is you don’t need to be a computer genius to do the necessary maintenance. All you need is a screwdriver and a can of compressed air (that’s it). With the computer turned off, unplug it from the outlet or power strip. Once unplugged, press the power button to discharge any residual power. Open the sides of the computer, and touch some bare metal, to discharge any static electricity in your body, then spray the can in an upright position for 2 to 3 seconds at a time. Repeat this until all the dust has been eliminated. Best practice is to perform this procedure at least once a year.
For Laptops, this process is slightly different and you will need to consult your product manual for instructions on how to remove the battery and remove the keyboard to spray inside. Hope this helps. Cheers!
