As stated in The Power Station’s song, "Some like it hot." Well let’s face it your computer doesn’t fit that description when it comes to the summer haze. Computers need constant cooling mixed with a little down time to continue running efficiently. So what can you do to maintain your computer during the summer months? Here are a few cool PC tips for those blistering summer days.
Keep it clean. As we’ve already established, computers don’t take the heat very well. Computer manufacturers have worked on ducting, case fans, and fancy heatsinks to keep your CPU at a bearable temperature. The same means used to cool the computer also collects a great deal of dust which can cause heat build-up and decrease air flow. Be sure to pick up a can of compressed air duster, and give the inside of your computer a thorough dusting with emphasis on the power supply, CPU heatsink, and fans. If you’re uncomfortable with opening your computer, give one of our technicians a call. We would be happy to help.
Computers don’t tan. If your computer is exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time, consider moving it to a location that offers shade. Sunlight may seem harmless enough, but computer cases are usually made of metal and can get quite hot in the sun. Those of you with laptops will want to follow the same advice. Do not leave your laptop exposed in a car. Aside from being a magnet for theft, a laptop’s battery may rupture or, at the very least, lose some of its overall charge capacity.
Let it breathe. Unless you’ve got a gaming rig with a liquid cooling system, your computer needs air flow. Computer desks will often come with a cupboard for your computer, complete with a latching door. If your computer is closed up and running in this environment, you’re putting your computer at risk. Imagine jogging on a treadmill in a sauna. How far would you get before your body failed? A simple solution to this issue is to leave the door open when the computer is powered on. Laptop users should keep the bottom of their computer free from obstructions. Always place your laptop on a solid flat surface while in operation, never on a soft surface like a bed or couch. Also if at all possible, let your laptop cool a bit before placing back into a case, and never leave your computer on while it’s stored in a case or backpack.
Following these three simple tips can keep your computer’s physical components running effectively well into the days when they’ve become obsolete. As always, Definitech offers upgrades such as case fans and aftermarket heatsinks to aid in the cooling process, and we’re available to answer any questions you have about computers or technology in general. Test us.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Spyware and Malware and Bloatware, Oh My!
So you've purchased a new computer, connected to the internet, and you're off to see the wizard. You've tried to follow the yellow brick road like the vertically challenged glee club advised, and you avoid the perils of the nastier side of the internet. You've even employed the help of some traveling companions like Norton, Spybot, Adaware, Avast, and others. All is well, right? Then why are you getting monkey-stomped by minions of the wicked witch of the web?
All imagery aside, this is a common and costly issue. Spyware and malware infections make up the majority of my computer repair house calls, and the shocker is that most of these computers already have anti-virus and anti-spyware programs installed. Adding insult to injury is the fact that more often than not, these security software have annual subscription fees. So, as I've been asked countless times before, why do computers still get infected? Is there a difference between anti-virus and anti-spyware programs? What is the best anti-virus software?
I'm going to disclaim my answer a bit. I can only speak from my 10 years of experience as a computer enthusiast and repair technician. Anti-virus and anti-spyware programs are only as effective as the user operating the computer. Often times the software will need updating, upgrading, or maintenance, and if you aren't comfortable tweaking settings and staying current on definition updates, the chance that malicious software will find a hole in your defense is dramatically increased. The catch-22 is that if you are comfortable with the upkeep of your software, there's a good chance you're tech-savvy enough to deal with a badly infected machine after the fact.
So what can you do to stay protected. First and foremost, back-up (make copies) of important files and information. If your computer becomes inoperable, you'll end up paying a dear price to try and rescue some of those old files, and there is no guarantee a technician will be able to salvage that data. Secondly, as you go about your daily computing, be mindful of and pop-ups or prompts your computer is giving you. If you don't understand something, a quick Google search can point you in the right direction. Another option is our Definitech hands-free computer maintenance service. Check out our Computer Maintenance program on our Services page for more information.
Assuming you've decided to install some type of security software on your computer, another blog post will be forth-coming about what to look for in an effective defense. As always, stay tuned!
All imagery aside, this is a common and costly issue. Spyware and malware infections make up the majority of my computer repair house calls, and the shocker is that most of these computers already have anti-virus and anti-spyware programs installed. Adding insult to injury is the fact that more often than not, these security software have annual subscription fees. So, as I've been asked countless times before, why do computers still get infected? Is there a difference between anti-virus and anti-spyware programs? What is the best anti-virus software?
I'm going to disclaim my answer a bit. I can only speak from my 10 years of experience as a computer enthusiast and repair technician. Anti-virus and anti-spyware programs are only as effective as the user operating the computer. Often times the software will need updating, upgrading, or maintenance, and if you aren't comfortable tweaking settings and staying current on definition updates, the chance that malicious software will find a hole in your defense is dramatically increased. The catch-22 is that if you are comfortable with the upkeep of your software, there's a good chance you're tech-savvy enough to deal with a badly infected machine after the fact.
So what can you do to stay protected. First and foremost, back-up (make copies) of important files and information. If your computer becomes inoperable, you'll end up paying a dear price to try and rescue some of those old files, and there is no guarantee a technician will be able to salvage that data. Secondly, as you go about your daily computing, be mindful of and pop-ups or prompts your computer is giving you. If you don't understand something, a quick Google search can point you in the right direction. Another option is our Definitech hands-free computer maintenance service. Check out our Computer Maintenance program on our Services page for more information.
Assuming you've decided to install some type of security software on your computer, another blog post will be forth-coming about what to look for in an effective defense. As always, stay tuned!
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