The Care & Feeding Of Your Computer

	Your computer was not a whimsical purchase.  You probably invested a lot of time researching different systems to find one that would meet your needs, a lot of energy learning to use it, and most importantly, a lot of money to buy it.  Now that you have it, how can you keep it in tiptop shape?
	Luckily, most computers are made so that minimal maintenance is required.  There are some things you can do, however, to keep your investment running smoothly.  We talked to industry experts to find out common problems and ways to prolong the life of your computer.

Dust
	Dust is annoying when your in-laws are coming for a visit, but is it harmful to your computer?  On the keyboard, dust may not be aesthetically pleasing, but it is nothing to worry about.  Dust inside the case is another story.
	Although it is rare, excessive dust in the computer could cause problems.  Heat is your computer's worst enemy.  Every computer has a fan that blows air through the back to move heat out of the case containing the central processing unit (CPU), the "brains"  of your computer.  By blowing air through to cool down the system, the fan could also be introducing dust to the system.  Dust sticks to the inside of the case and acts like insulation.  Heat builds up as a result, which could cause the CPU to fail early.  The problem can be easily solved with either a vacuum cleaner or a can of compressed air.  Sometimes simply spraying compressed air into the open holes of the computer case can be effective in loosening the dust.  On occasion, the case needs to be opened to clean out major dust deposits.  If you are squeamish about opening your computer, you can take it to a service technician.  If not, the computer manual explains how to take the case off of your computer.  It's usually just a matter of taking off a few screws.  (First, make sure your computer is turned off.  Second, it's very important that you discharge any static electricity that may have built up in your body.  Touching something metal will do the trick.  Last, don't worry too much about inflicting damage.  The vitals of your computer are well-protected.)  Spray compressed air ( a can is about $6)  or carefully vacuum to remove the dust.
	
Dust Covers
	Whether to use a dust cover really depends on where you live.  If you live in a very humid area, a plastic dust cover could trap moisture, causing dew to form, which can be very damaging to the computer.  On the other hand, if you live or work in an area where there is a lot of dust, such as Arizona, then covers can help minimize dust build-up on your components.  A two-piece dust cover set that protects the monitor and keyboard is sold for about $10.

A Clean Screen
	Dust builds up on a computer screen the same way it does on a television screen.  Of course, special products have been developed for the sole purpose of cleaning your screen.  CRT or monitor cleaners, as they are called, include an anti-static agent that repels dust.  They come under many different brand names and in various forms such as pads, wipes, or sprays.  A box of 10 twin towelette packages runs about $6.
	Computer specialists that we talked to say that ordinary glass cleaner accomplishes the same thing.  Because it lacks the anti-static agent, however, the task may need to be performed more frequently.  Spraying the cleaner on a towel or tissue first keeps the spray from getting on other components or anything else on your desk.  One more important note:  NEVER open up your monitor.  It houses electrical charges that can kill you, even when it is unplugged.  Leave this to the experts.

Accidental Spills
	Liquids are hazardous when paired with a keyboard or other components, so it is best for them to keep their distance.  Accidents are inevitable, however, especially if you have kids around.  So what do you do if a beverage is spilled onto your keyboard? 
	 Liquids of any kind can cause shorts in electrical equipment, but if the drink that douses your keys is water, you and your keyboard stand a better chance of surviving the shower.  When water has entered your keyboard, the first you should do is disconnect it from the rest of your computer and any other power sources.  Then turn it over to drain as much as possible.  Use a towel to dry what you can and then let it air dry for a day or longer depending on the amount spilled.  The keyboard may not have suffered any damage.
	Soft drinks, fruit juices, and coffee, however, contain sugars and acids that are corrosive to the inside of your keyboard.  Attempting to go inside the keyboard yourself is very dangerous.  Take these accidents to your authorized dealer or service technician so he or she can try to clean the keyboard out.
	Permanent plastic keyboard covers called "onion skins"  can protect your keyboard even while it is being used.  The plastic covers are custom made ( about $15)  to fit around the keys in such a way that you can still type.  Although the permanent covers are noticeably different to the touch, the plastic is your security blanket.
	
Power Play
	When should you turn your computer off?  Even the experts disagree about whether it is better to turn the whole system off whenever you leave it for a few hours or to leave the computer on and turn off just the peripherals, like your monitor.  If electrical damage to your computer is going to occur, it is most likely to happen when you turn it on and power surges through the system.  On the other hand, every time you turn on your computer, it performs a "Power On Self Test,"  which evaluates the system.  If you never turn your computer off and on, you'll lose the benefit of this automatic self-diagnosis.  As a general rule, the experts we talked to suggested that you turn the whole system off if you don't plan to use it again within three hours.
	Computer technicians also suggest turning on the computer peripherals (components like your monitor or modem) first and the computer itself last.  This is because the computer runs a ""port call"  every time it is turned on.  In other words, the computer determines what components are out there and operating.  If the computer is turned on first, it may not understand that all of the peripherals are operational and may need to restart.  (This isn't a major hassle; it just takes extra time.)
	Last but not least, it is very important that the computer be completely unplugged during electrical storms.  Also, if you live in an area that experiences frequent power fluctuations, it would be wise to unplug your computer whenever it is not in use.  Surges of electricity can cause severe damage to the system, and can occur even when it is turned off.  A good surge protector helps, but even it can wear out unexpectedly.  Damage from electricity is not covered under the warranty of the computer, but may be covered under homeowners' insurance.  Check your policy.

Checking Space
	One serviceman said that many times the problems he services could be avoided if owners would pay more attention to what their computers are telling them.  For instance, problems are often caused by a hard drive that has run out of space.  On DOS-based computers, the CHKDSK (Checkdisk) command can check the amount of memory available on the hard drive.  That figure is also displayed every time the computer boots up.  On a Macintosh, the Hard Drive Window shows the megabytes (MB)  already in use on the disk and the available megabytes.
	The amount of available disk space necessary for a program to operate depends on the program, but you should always have at least 10MB available.  If adequate disk space is not available, the document you are currently working on cannot be saved, and other commands such as PRINT will not function.  Disk space can be made available by deleting files or programs.

Extended Warranties
	Most computer companies offer extended warranties.  These are like insurance policies that cover your computer after the regular warranties have expired.  The cost of extended warranties depends on the model, the year it was purchased. and the length of time you want coverage.  One estimate for an IBM PS/1 is between $89 and $109 for one year, or $179 for three years.  Some experts say extended warranties are unnecessary, since most computer problems become evident during the first few days of operation.  If you have young children around, however, and worry about the possibility of spills into the keyboard, extended warranties may have a lot to offer, if only in peace of mind.
	Taking care of your investment shouldn't be a demanding task.  If you spend a few seconds every once in a while on preventive maintenance for your computer, it should live a long and happy life.  And when you don't have to keep calling the computer service technician, it will mean a happier life for you as well.

By Sara Enersen