No piece of technology lasts forever, and sometimes you can make a simple mistake that will damage your computer. In a perfect world, your PC or laptop should last quite a few years. But, if your computer breaks down faster than it should, you may have a habit or two that has hastened your PC’s demise. Here are a few of the behaviors you should avoid if you want to extend the lifespan of your system and avoid a trip to the local computer repair shop.
1. Blocking Your Computer’s Vents Can Cause Overheating
Heat and desktop computers don’t mix. Most PCs and laptops have integrated fans, and all of them have vents to prevent overheating. If those vents get blocked by dust, your bed’s comforter, or your lap, your computer system is going to overheat and eventually fail.
You can prevent damage to any computer by occasionally cleaning vents with some compressed air. You can further avoid damage to a laptop by keeping it on a flat surface to ensure good airflow underneath.
2. Browsing the Web Without Protection Can Damage Your Computer
There are simply too many cybersecurity threats today to rely on intuition as your primary malware and virus protection. Even legitimate sites can be hacked and pass on trouble to unsuspecting users. If you want to prevent the complete loss of your data and potential computer damage, you need antivirus protection.
At a minimum, turn on the built-in Windows Defender feature, which continues to improve. Or, check out a free version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to give you some additional protection. Finally, learn how to set strong passwords, spot phishing scams, and keep your software up to date.
3. Eating and Drinking Near Your Machine May Damage Your Computer
Everybody does it. You spend hours each day in front of your laptop or PC, so you probably drink coffee, tea, soda, etc., as well as munch on a few snacks. But food and beverages can wreak havoc with your system if you aren’t careful.
If you spill something on your computer, quickly turn it off and unplug the machine. If it’s a laptop, remove the battery. Wipe the area thoroughly and let it dry. If your computer won’t start or appears damaged, contact our computer repair service for assistance.
4. Carelessly Pushing Buttons on Your Computer Can be Costly
Just because a button is there doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to push it indiscriminately. For example, hitting the “power” button while a software program is installing or your system is updating could lead to a fatal error. Likewise, simply answering “agree” to every question when installing a new program might mean you end up with some useless and even harmful new software on your system.
Try to be as deliberate as possible when operating your PC. Patience is a virtue when your system works on an update, or you’re waiting for a new program to install or uninstall. But, if you do make a mistake, our computer repair shop in Colorado Springs can lend a hand.
5. Not Using Surge Protection Can Destroy Your Computer
Your desktop computer draws a fair amount of electric power and an unexpected power surge could damage your computer or even destroy it. While your system comes equipped with basic surge protection, you can do better by adding some external protection with a dedicated surge protector. Another option is to get an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), which has a built-in battery backup in the event of a power outage.
Summary
Any number of issues could damage your computer, but if this happens to you, don’t panic. If you discover that you’ve done any of these five things, or perhaps something else, and your PC or laptop isn’t cooperating, we can help. Contact DML Computer Repair in Colorado Springs for a free diagnostic. One of our experienced technicians will identify the cause of your troubles and give you an affordable flat rate to fix your issue.
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