Computer maintenance
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Computer maintenance is the practice of keeping computers in a good state of repair.
Computer cleaning
Computer cleaning involves physically cleaning the interior and exterior of a computer, including the removal of dust and debris from cooling fans, power supplies, and other hardware components.This should be after certain period of time (weekly/monthly).
A computer containing accumulated dust and debris may not run properly.
Dust
Dust and other cruft may accumulate as a result of air cooling. Any filters used to mitigate this need regular service and changes. If the cooling system is not filtered then regular computer cleaning may prevent short circuits and overheating.
Data
Backups
Important data stored on computers may be copied and archived securely so that, in the event of failure, the data and systems may be reconstructed. When major maintenance such as patching is performed, a backup is recommended as the first step in case the update fails and reversion is required.
Disk cleanup may be performed as regular maintenance to remove these. Files may become fragmented and so slow the performance of the computer. Disk defragmentation may be performed to combine these fragments and so improve performance.
Legal issues
In the United States of America, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act specifically exempts computer-maintenance activities, so copies of copyright files may be made in the course of maintenance provided that they are destroyed afterwards.[1]
Software
Operating system
Operating-system files such as the Windows registry may require maintenance. A utility such as a registry cleaner may be used for this. Also inbuilt Disk defragmenter will also help.
Software updates
Software packages and operating systems may require regular updates to correct software bugs and to address security weaknesses.
Security
Service intervals
Depending on the environment, computers should be serviced at least once per quarter, though monthly service is optimal.[citation needed] Regular servicing helps computers provide their peak performance.
See also
References
- ^ Kent D. Stuckey (1996), Internet and online law, pp. 6–47