Unit 4- Maintaining & Protecting Hardware
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Identify the importance of keeping a computer
clean.
Explain what is needed to clean a PC.
Identify the importance of protecting computer
hardware from theft and damage.
Make a secure password.
Protect a computer against viruses.
Explain how to backup data.
Identify how to protect computer hardware from
power loss.
Identify common problems associated with
computer hardware.
Identify routine maintenance tasks.
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How much do computers cost?
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You want to protect your investment
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Easy to maintain
◦ Keep it physically clean
◦ Protecting it from bad software
◦ Protect/Backup your files
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What makes the screen
dirty?
LCD/LED screens
(Non-glass)
◦ NEVER spray liquid or Windex!
 Ruins the anti-glare coating
 Can leak into monitor
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Pre-moistened Wipes
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Spray & Cloth
◦ Spray liquid onto
microfiber cloth
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Use on LCD/LED,
cell phone screen,
Tablets, photo
frames, etc.
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What makes the keyboard dirty?
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Could cause it not to work
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Unplug, turn upside down &
shake
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Use compressed air
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Use wipes
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Spill?
◦ Disconnect, turn upside down to
drain
◦ Sticky?
 Hold on side & rinse
 Drain for 2 days
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Can get sticky & dusty on bottom
◦ Causes erratic movement
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Sticky/dirty on top
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Use wipes
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Dust & dirt build-up
Clogged fans
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Use compressed air
◦ DON’T blow dust inside PC!
◦ Dust keeps PC hot
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Vacuum outside only
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Wipes to clean surface
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Keep the expensive laptop clean!
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Take in air on bottom,
expel heat out back
Cooling Stand
◦ Keeps cool air going in
◦ Prevents overheating
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Padded Bags
◦ Protect when carrying
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Kensington Lock
Secure physical devices
Businesses or Personal use
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Organizing cables under desk
Velcro wire-ties
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Shop for maintenance accessories
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Allows many plugs into one
Not recommended!
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Surge or Spike
◦ Too much electricity
◦ Lightning strike or power
fluctuation
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Power Outages
◦ No electricity
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An increase in voltage significantly above
the designated level
Surge Protector diverts extra voltage like a
valve
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AKA Surge Protector
◦ Better than Power Strip
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What to look for?
◦ # of outlets
◦ Joule rating
 More joules better
protection
◦ Cord length
◦ Noise filter
◦ $$ protection warranty
# of Outlets
Length of cord
# of Joules
Connected equipment
warranty $$
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Uninterruptable Power
Supply
Battery backup PLUS
surge protection
Will power equip until
you can save &
shutdown
◦ 10-20 min.
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Find a single outlet surge protector for your
laptop
Find a 6-8 outlet surge protector for
computers
Find a surge/UPS strip with at least 10
minutes of backup time
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Don’t use easy, common words
Mistakes:
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Most common password is…password
◦ Also 123456
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Tips & Advice:
Top 25 worst
passwords of
2011
Strong Password
Checker from
Microsoft
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Prevents virus install
& helps remove it
Enable auto-update
◦ New virus’ made
everyday
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Be careful what you
download
◦ AV might not catch
them all
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Name some AV
software
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Office Max
◦ McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 1 & 3-user
◦ Kaspersky Internet Security 3-user
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Staples
◦ Norton Internet Security 2013 3-user
◦ McAfee Total Protection 2013
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Best Buy
◦ Kaspersky Internet Security 3-user
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Walmart
◦ McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 3-user
◦ Norton Antivirus 2013 3-user
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What files are
important to you?
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Data is very valuable
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Backup data
◦ External drive
◦ Online
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The files can be saved on a flash drive, CD,
DVD, or a hard drive.
Win 7
Mac
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Crashed HD
◦ Overheat, dropped,
shaken, wear out
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Damaged media
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Printer Problems
◦ Scratched CD/DVD
◦ Dusty flash drive, banged
around
◦ Paper jams
◦ Low ink or toner
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Display problems
◦ Check power
◦ Check video cable
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Loss of network
◦ Loose cable
◦ Wireless down
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Incompatible device
◦ Check if it’s plugged in
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Visual Inspection
◦ Check cables
 Plugged in
 Good condition
 Inside computer too
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Avoid extreme temperatures
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Don’t touch media surface
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Hold optical disks at edges
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Keep disks in case when moving them
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Personal PC: 3-5 years
Special Recycle
◦ Check with town/county
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Donate
Unit 4- Maintaining & Protecting Hardware