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Maintenance
Routine or preventative maintenance ensures that the computer equipment, both hardware and software, will remain in good working order. To ensure that maintenance is carried out at the correct times a schedule of tasks needs to be developed.
Hardware maintenance
| Component | Maintenance | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Inside the case | Make sure air vents are clear. Use compressed air to blow the dust out of the case. Make sure that chips & expansion cards are securely seated. Clean the contacts on the expansion cards. |
Yearly |
| CMOS setup | Keep a record of the setup details of the CMOS; there are various software utilities that can be used for this purpose. | At each change in the setup |
| Floppy drive | To save unnecessary wear on the heads, clean only when the drive appears to be causing problems. | When the drive fails |
| Hard drive | Do regular backups of data files. Use a virus program, preferably having it execute at start up. Defragment the drive. Do not eat, drink or smoke near the computer. Place the computer where it cannot get bumped. |
At least weekly Daily Monthly |
| Keyboard | Clean the keyboard. | Monthly |
| Mouse | Clean the mouse. | Monthly |
| Monitor | Clean the screen with a soft cloth and clean dust from the rest of the casing of the monitor. | Monthly |
| Printer | Clean out the dust and bits of paper. Clean the paper paths with a soft cloth. |
Monthly |
| Maintain a log book | Record all software, including version numbers & OS installed on the computer. Record all hardware components installed, include hardware setting. Record when and what maintenance is performed. Log all faults and what is done to correct them. Record any repairs done. |
Whenever a change occurs |
Software maintenance
| Activity | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Data backup | Daily |
| Scan for viruses | Daily |
| Scan file system for errors | Daily or Weekly |
| Check hard drive free space | Weekly |
| Full backup | Weekly or Monthly |
| Defragment hard drive | Monthly |
| Check for software and data updates | Weekly |
| Clean out old files | Monthly or Quarterly |
| Check system properties | Quarterly |
Useful equipment for maintenance
Listed below are a few items that are useful to a computer owner in the maintenance of a computer system:
- a soft bristled paint brush
- lint free cloth
- a can of compressed air
- small (hand held battery operated) vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment
- cotton swabs
- CD drive cleaning kit
- cleaning materials, for example, alcohol-based screen wipes for monitor screens and scanner glass
- cleaning appliances for plastics
- precision toolkit containing small screwdrivers, custom pliers and
- tweezers
- a torch
- an earth strap
- any consumables needed by the device like printer cartridges or paper.
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