Avoid Computer Problems

[xix]

Many people seem to have problems with their computer when it really is easy to avoid them in the first place. Even the most simple and stupid actions can SAVE you MONEY and TIME. Here are my Recomamdations.

LCD screen turn off the screen. Don't let that on/off button blink. IF it blinks it means the bulb behind the LCD Monitor is on. Which wears out and cost you in a few years when it actually lasts 5 - 7 years. There are some Toshiba Laptops with problems here.

Windows/Computer. actually turn it off. After being on for so long the OS really start to screw up. Some people say turn it off once a week. WRONG. Actually SHUT it OFF often and just simply wait when you turn it on.

CD/DVD devices. Dont' leave any media in them when turning off unless you are rebooting an OS.

Clean. Clean inside of your case at least twice a year if you don't have pets. Every three months if you have pets and carpet.

Clean Harddrive. Remove virus and spyware every month if you surf more than 8 hours on the net. Also do what Ever Diskkeeper does. Which I forgot it's function.

 

[Radio_Shack]

You forgot don't play with your floppy drive in public.

 

[The Bandit]

I can never understand the people who leave theirs on all night and day. If it's not in use while you're at work etc. why have it on? Makes no sense. The complaint about more wear and tear of turning it on and off is a crock of shit.

 

[dcbogey]

I can never understand the people who leave theirs on all night and day. If it's not in use while you're at work etc. why have it on? Makes no sense. The complaint about more wear and tear of turning it on and off is a crock of shit.

Kind of the same backward logic that dictates that people use as an excuse for leaving the lights on in office towers, etc.

 

[Radio_Shack]

I can never understand the people who leave theirs on all night and day. If it's not in use while you're at work etc. why have it on? Makes no sense. The complaint about more wear and tear of turning it on and off is a crock of shit.

if you set the power saving mode. ie hard drives spin down, monitor turns off etc.. there is no reason to turn it off. Most computers today have those features.

 

[The Bandit]

if you set the power saving mode. ie hard drives spin down, monitor turns off etc.. there is no reason to turn it off. Most computers today have those features.

I'm not talking about "stand by" mode(I do that if I know
I'm turning it back on in an hour or so), it's peolple actually leaving them running.

 

[xix]

Like a Car

if you set the power saving mode. ie hard drives spin down, monitor turns off etc.. there is no reason to turn it off. Most computers today have those features.

My car has that feature, It's called Idling.
You apply the safety break and and walk away with key in ignition.
Is that SMART?

Of course not it's the same thing on a computer.
HD have to spinning no matter what it's just the "needle" ( head Reader) that needs to move. It's still working. THe motor that spins the platters.

 

[Keebler Elf]

A lot of people simply don't have the patience for Windows to boot up whenever they turn their computer on. They'd rather not shut down to avoid that. Especially if it's a work computer.

I used to leave mine on continuously but only when I was downloading/uploading stuff. I've read the arguments both for and against turning off your computer and it doesn't seem clear at all which one is correct. The added wear and tear of startup/shutdown can be just as bad as constant use. One of the main reasons I shut down is in case of a lightning strike.

Re: some of the other suggestions...

I clean my case every 2-3 months, but that's b/c I leave it open to help keep it cool. Lots of dust gets in there and needs to be vacuumed out (when the computer's off!).

What's the downside of keeping a CD in the drive when you're not using it? I can understand when booting up (your computer might try to boot from it), but otherwise?

I also turn my monitor off, mostly to save power but also to save lifespan.

 

[vavog]

Here's a pretty standard list of things you can easily do: http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/library/article.jsp?aid=maintenance_101

There are lots of other little tweaks one could perform but these are the basics. If your computer is taking too long to boot up then you have too much software being automatically loaded on startup. Run MSCONFIG and have a look at whats being run at Startup. You may be surprised and want to turn some stuff off.