Some Habits that Can Make Your Computer Run Better and Protect It Online and Physically As Well

It’s been proven that bad habits can be made worse by technology. So, instead of getting used to these bad habits, and invite bad things that may happen to your computer, you can use technology to break these bad habits and create good habits. When you get used to these good habits, you'll soon see the results of a computer that runs better and protecting it both from online attacks and physical deterioration.

Never leave equipment in plain sight

This is one habit you should practice, because very often, people have the bad habit of leaving their computers in plain sight while taking their coffee orders or going to the bathroom. It doesn't take long for someone at a nearby table or near the window to react to the temptation and snatch up your laptop. This is a non-techy and no brainer habit that will keep your hard-earned computer safe.

Not cleaning your equipment

Here’s another non-techy no brainer for you; always get in the habit of cleaning your computer, especially your laptop, at least once every 6 months. Dust and grime is the worst enemy of computers because it will prevent the fans inside to function properly, heating up the inside, clog optical-drive mechanisms and other moving parts, and will cause internal damage.

Always back up data

Notice that the first and second tips are non-techy and practical, since most tips given are technical in nature. Now, this one is the most ignored until something happens to the computer, and after the crash, you wish you had backed up your important files. Get into the habit of backing up your data; you can use cloud-storage systems, or do it physically by using external disks, adding another hard disk to your PC, or burning your data onto CD’s or DVD’s.

Using different passwords and frequently changing passwords

Here’s a habit that can't be emphasized enough; in this age of hacking and identity thieves, you need to get into the habit of having different passwords for every online account you have, including social media sites. Not only that, the passwords need to be really hard to hack; your birthday or wedding anniversary just won't cut it because these can be easily figured out. Also, change your passwords at least every 6 months.

Never fail to update

Software updates are released and very important because it’s a way for developers to add features, fixes bugs, and plug security holes. More importantly, operating system and security software updates keep equipment stable and secure. Even if updates are automatic, you still need to reboot. Rebooting is also important because it refreshes the system while properly reflecting everything that was installed or updated.

Don’t open up or respond to spam

Make it a habit to go over your spam folder and delete everything without opening or responding to anything. This is where the most viruses and malware hide, and when you open the links or respond to the spam, you leave your computer open to cyber-attacks.

If you follow these good habits, you'll not only prevent your equipment from being attacked or hacked, but you’ll extend their lifespan as well.

Common Types of Errors That Can Cause Your Computer to Crash

A crashing computer usually occurs when the hard disk drive fails to function properly and information stored on your computer can no longer be accessed. This can be fatal, especially if the information that needs to be accessed is from the operating system. Hard disk failures that lead to crashes for a number of reasons can range from hardware life expectancy to human error.

Not using a proper UPS

Electricity is not a steady and uninterruptible supply because it can be disrupted by power surges, power fluctuations, electrical storms, and power outages. A sudden shut down due to a power cut can damage the hard disks and later cause the computer to crash. Consider investing in an UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) as this will give you a few minutes to properly shut down should electrical power be suddenly cut.

Allowing for Overheating

Central processing units (CPUs) are usually equipped with fans to keep them cool. If the fan fails or if the CPU gets old, it may start to overheat and generate a particular kind of error called a kernel error. Another cause of overheating through human error is by not allowing enough air flow around the CPU, particularly at the back portion where air is sucked in to cool the CPU and the hot air is blown out. One remedy is to get a bigger better fan and install it on top of the CPU.

Software

A common cause of a computer crash is faulty or badly-installed software. Often the problem can be cured by uninstalling the software and then reinstalling it. To avoid this problem, properly install any software by strictly following its installation instructions.

Printers

Not many people are aware that human error caused by printers can cause a computer to crash. The action of sending a document to print creates a bigger file. This is called a postscript file. Printers have only a small amount of memory, called a buffer, which can be easily overloaded. Printing a document also uses a considerable amount of CPU power. This will also slow down the computer’s performance. If the printer is trying to print unusual characters, these might not be recognized, and can crash the computer. Sometimes printers will not recover from a crash because of confusion in the buffer. A good way to clear the buffer is to unplug the printer for ten seconds. Booting up using a cold boot will restore the printer's default settings.

Viruses

Often the first sign of a virus infection is instability. Some viruses erase the boot sector of a hard drive, making it impossible to start. The human error here is when the user doesn’t install an anti-virus or anti-malware software, or if the software isn't updated regularly.

Computer crashes can destroy your hard disk drive in an instant, and recovery of important information may be difficult. Backing up your data, and using simple preventive techniques can save you from the headache of a hard drive crash.