esacnitsuj
1st Responder
Joined: Mar 06, 2003
Posts: 393
Location: Canada
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 Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 12:57 pm Post subject: Part Two: Suggestions for New Users (The Basics) |
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Setting Up & Keeping Your Computer Clean
Surge Protected Power Bars:
Always make sure that you use a "surge protected" power bar to plug your computer, monitor and other hardware in. Plugging your computer directly into the wall outlet is not a good idea in case of a power outage.
When the power comes back on from a power outage, there could be a powerful surge of electricity that could damage your computer.
Most computer outlets, hardware stores, etc. sell reasonably priced "surge protected" power bars.
Also be sure to look for a power bar that has coaxial cable and phone line inputs/outputs.
Coaxial cable is the cable that runs to your television, cable modem, etc.
Setting up your Personal Computer:
Make sure, if you own a destop PC that the Power supply on the back of your system unit, e.g. Tower & other hardware such as your monitor & cable modem have plenty of room to breathe.
I keep my computer desk pulled out @ least one foot from the wall.
This keeps your machine a lot cooler and easier to access.
It is also good to have a small - medium size fan behind your desk, placed on the floor and pointed to the system unit to help keep your computer cooler.
I keep two small fans on the floor on each side on my desk (behind) on the medium or high setting pointed toward the system unit, monitor, etc.
Your computer is set within your BIOS to auto shut down the Monitor or CPU (Central Processing Unit) if it reaches a certain temperature. Then you have to wait for your monitor and/or CPU to cool down again, so make sure your monitor and system unit has a lot of breathing space!
Your Power Supply is the fan/metal box on the back of your System Unit.
Make sure you NEVER smoke around your PC. If you must have a smoke, take a break from what you're doing & smoke at least 5 - 10 feet or more from your PC. Also keep the inside of your tower clean & dust free.
Also If you have a flat system unit, not a tower, it is not wise to sit your monitor on top of it. CRT Monitors are very heavy and can cause problems down the road if they are sitting on top of a flat system unit.
An LCD (flat panel) Monitor isn't as heavy, so it's alright to keep it on top of a "flat box" system unit.
If you are using a CRT monitor, try to make room on your desk or wherever you have your PC for the monitor to sit so that it doesn't have to be on top of your flat system unit.
Keep your keyboard & mouse clean.
I use rubbing alcohol for my ball mouse and on my keyboard as well.
If you are using an Optical Mouse, you can purchase special lubricant for the surface so it glides easier, and keep the surface clean!
Make sure your keyboard is kept clean & dust free. You can purchase small vacuum cleaners that are wonderful for keeping the outside of your monitor, system unit, keyboard, etc. dust free.
Make sure your monitor is not too close to you. This can cause a lot of eye strain. Refer to your Monitor setup manual to see how far to set your monitor away from you.
> BEFORE YOU OPEN YOUR SYSTEM UNIT (TOWER, ETC.), MAKE SURE YOU ARE GROUNDED.
YOU CAN PURCHASE AN ANTI-STATIC BRACELET TO DISCHARGE THE STATIC FROM YOUR BODY AT MOST COMPUTER OUTLETS.
> IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN ANTI-STATIC BRACELET OR ELECTRICIAN GLOVES, BE SURE TO RUB THE CHASSIS TO DISCHARGE ANY STATIC ELECTRICITY BEFORE GOING INSIDE TO INSTALL HARDWARE SUCH AS RAM, SOUND CARDS, DIAL-UP MODEMS, ETHERNET CARDS, ETC.
>IF YOU DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING, GET SOMEONE WHO DOES OR BRING IT TO A PRO FOR ANY HARDWARE INSTALLATION.
>WEAR CLOTHING THAT IS COTTON & DOESN'T ATTRACT A LOT OF STATIC. MANY FABRICS SUCH AS POLYESTER, WOOL, ETC. RETAIN A LOT OF STATIC ELECTRICITY!
>OPEN YOUR SYSTEM UNIT AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH, ESPECIALLY IF YOU SMOKE AND/OR YOUR HOME IS DUSTY.
>BLOW OUT ALL THE DUST ETC USING COMPRESSED AIR. ANY COMPUTER SHOP/OUTLET SELLS CANS OF COMPRESSED AIR.
BE SURE TO HOLD THE NOSSLE AT LEAST 8 INCHES OR MORE FROM THE MOTHERBOARD, CPU, POWER SUPPLY, ETC & USE SHORT, QUICK SQUIRTS.
YOU MAY EVEN USE A HAIR DRYER SET AT COLD AND BE SURE NOT TO PUT IT TOO CLOSE TO THE MOTHERBOARD, CPU, POWER SUPPLY, ETC.
>MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CPU & POWER SUPPLY FANS ARE CLEAN & ARE NOT DAMAGED IN ANY WAY!
ARRANGING YOUR WORK AREA:
When you arrange your computer, position your monitor & keyboard directly in front of you. Place the mouse close to the keyboard so that you can use it w/o leaning or stretching over to one side.
The system unit is usually kept on the floor or in many cases computer desks have a place to keep your system unit, e.g. tower.
If your desk is large enough, place your tower beside your monitor, but not to close. I have mine @ 8 inches away from my monitor & still have room for my monitor to be facing me directly.
Having your tower up on your desk makes it much easier for you to work if you're using your CD-R/RW and/or DVD-R, discette drive(s), Zip drive(s), etc. It also makes it easier to pull your tower out to clean it.
If the back of your desk is blocked by a panel, and has holes to run the wires through, it is a good idea to:
1) Either not have your tower beside your monitor, place it on the floor or in the spot on your desk made for towers, flat boxes, etc.
2) If you really want your tower up beside you monitor, make sure you measure around your tower & cut out a peice of the back panel so the whole back of your tower is showing.
This also makes it much easier for the power supply to breathe, so you don't over-heat and also plug hardware into certain ports, e.g. plugging a web cam and/or scanner into your USB ports, etc.
3) Make sure that any hardware you have hooked up, i.e. mouse, keyboard, web cam, scanner(s), printer(s) is "seated" (plugged) firmly into your ports, e.g. USB ports. If you have problems, make sure that you unplug your mouse, keyboard, web cam, scanner, printer, etc, etc. and make sure
the ends are clean and that none of the pins are bent, then plug them firmly back in. This is refered to as "Reseating".
Always make sure your computer is powered down before doing this.
If you enjoy reading my articles, please let me know so I can do more to help. It is always good and very helpful to have some basic computer knowledge before & while you are using your computer!
Regards,
Esacnitsuj |
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