Tips on the Care and Feeding of Your PC or Laptop

Here are some great tips on how to protect yourself and your laptop:

KEEP YOU AND YOUR LAPTOP SAFE (ANTIVIRUS/ANTIMALWARE)

 Windows 8, 10 & 11 have an antivirus program (Windows Defender from Microsoft) but it doesn’t have antimalware.

If you are still running Windows XP  or 7 it is very risky because Microsoft no longer supports it and no longer issues security patches and updates, but as long as the Antivirus and Antimalware that you are using continues to be supported, you can continue to use it, but at your own risk.

No antivirus or antimalware program will protect you 100% of the time and it cannot protect you or other users of your PC from yourself doing dumb things. So:

• When you do a search in Yahoo, Bing or Google for software or drivers for your PC, be careful that the links are to the legitimate company sites and not fake sites. Many people end up with malware or adware because the get suckered into a fake site. For example if you want to download MalwareBytes free edition make sure you click on the Malwarebytes.org site link and nothing else…

• Watch out for ads on the internet for “FREE” programs to speed up your PC, messages that pop up in your browser window that say you have a virus or there are problems with your computer! 99.9% OF THOSE MESSAGES ARE FAKE and are just trying to talk you into downloading “fixes” that are malware, adware, or worse.

• Don’t search for FREE movie or music downloads because they always redirect you to download a special player or video downloader that is infected with adware, malware and viruses. Not only is legitimate movies or music not usually “free”, the free stuff, even if you do manage to download it will cost you $ to get all the malware and adware removed from your PC. SO—was it free after all?

• NEVER click on an OK or Close button when a fake message appears and you think it is strange! Press and hold the <ctrl> <alt> and <Del> keys in sequence, click task manager and when task manager appears, click on the applications tab, then click on the instance of the browser in the list, and click the “end process” button to kill the browser. This is the only safe way to stop potential malware or adware from installing.

• Don’t revisit websites that serve you this malicious pop up warning messages about your computer is infected. If you have a virus or malware, typically a message will pop up in the lower right corner of your desktop above the system date and time and you should verify that it is in fact your installed antivirus or antimalware program that is warning you!

If you get infected, or your computer or browser starts getting slow or when you search you get weird results or pop up ads, you may have a serious problem. Contact a reputable computer repair person and get help. In most cases these issues can be fixed at a reasonable cost.

CONNECTING AND DISCONNECTING DEVICES AND POWER:

Never force a connector into a port. When connecting a device, make sure the port is free of debris, that the connector matches the port, and that you have positioned the connector correctly in relation to the port.  USB connectors are fragile and can easily be damaged.  When plugging your AC Adapter into an electrical outlet, connect to the outlet first, then the DC pin type connector into the laptop. When unplugging, disconnect the laptop pin connector first, then unplug the AC adapter from the outlet. Always pull the plugs, NOT the cord.  NEVER “wiggle” a pin power connector in a laptop power jack.  These jacks are soldered on the laptop motherboard and those connections can be weakened and broken fairly easily.  Always slowly push the plug STRAIGHT in and pull it STRAIGHT out.  Never force it and never wiggle it.

Position your AC Adapter and cable so that it won’t be tripped over by you or your pets.  A yanked cord can damage the laptop power jack, the adapter or both.

STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION TIPS:

Carry Cases
Use a “purpose built” laptop case - It is advisable to spend $30 or more and  get a sturdy, well padded carry-case for your laptop. While the best cases are hard on the outside and have lots of padding on the inside, they do not have the best storage for papers laptop accessories, and other business stuff.  There are some well constructed soft sided cases available (Kensington and some luggage companies for example) that have an internal pocket specifically designed to cradle your laptop which have a strap or flap that secures it well inside the rest of the case.  The case should be able to absorb shocks from drops off tables, chairs and airport security belts.

Also always be in the habit of properly securing the laptop inside the case-don’t leave the flap open or the case unzipped—when cases fall they can lose their valuable contents or not protect all the sides well…

Holding and Carrying the Laptop:
Always hold your laptop with TWO HANDS, and try to avoid carrying it open.  The plastic cases of most laptops are not designed to be carried open, and they can flex if not carried with two hands – one on each side.  Closed laptops can still flex if picked up by one side.

Opening and Closing the Lid
When opening or closing the lid (LCD panel) try to always use two hands—one at each corner.  If you only have one hand available, always grasp the lid in the MIDDLE.  Depending on how strong the springs are in the hinges (and how sturdy the lid frame itself is), grabbing it by a corner to open and shut it can flex the LCD panel and crack the glass part of the LCD screen.  This damages the LCD panel beyond repair and requires it to be replaced.  In some laptops that could cost hundreds of dollars.

Turning it On or Off
When not using your laptop even for overnight on your desk, put it to sleep, hibernate it, or shut it down properly, and close the lid.  It keeps dust and dirt off the keyboard and also better protects it.

If you travel frequently and need to be prompt at shut-down (say at an airport gate for example), set Windows Update to advise you of updates but not download or install them automatically.  This eliminates the possibility that when you shut down at a gate when called for a flight you never get the famous “installing update 1 of 28-Do not power off your computer…” message.

Never do a “hard shutdown” by holding in the power button unless your laptop is truly frozen.  There is considerable risk of program and data corruption.  If you laptop is having a problem shutting down normally, bring it in for us to diagnose and fix.  It could be a sign of looming disaster, or a simple fix.

Location, Location Location…
Even though it is called a “laptop”, it is not good to have your laptop on your lap.  If you must, use a laptop cooler pad, so there continues to be proper ventilation.  Fortunately newer laptops (1 year old or less) have been re-designed so that vents are through the top and sides, not the bottom.  However older laptops have intake or exhaust fan ports in the bottom.  It is critically important for you to know where your vents are and never block them.  A hard flat surface that allows the laptop feet or bumpers to contact the surface and raise the laptop containing vents on the bottom properly is best.  You actually can burn the skin on your legs and not even realize it.

Never sit your laptop or its AC adapter charger on upholstered furniture even when it is off.  A charging laptop battery can get pretty hot.  Never set your laptop on the floor—it can get kicked, stepped on by someone or even molested by a pet.

Magnetic fields are not good for laptops either.  It would not be wise to set your laptop on a floor stereo speaker or subwoofer or on top of a counter top microwave oven for example.  Never leave your laptop in the trunk of a car in extreme cold, heat or dampness.  If you do, do not subject it to quick, extreme changes in temperature, as moisture could form in the hard drive or other components—change its temperature gradually.

Never eat or drink near your laptop—this is pretty self explanatory…

CLEANING, VENTS AND OVERHEATING:

Vents and Overheating
Consider not running graphics intensive video games on laptops not specifically designed for gaming.  Many laptop designs do not adequately ventilate the graphics processor and are subject to overheating with graphics intensive applications.

Laptops are much more susceptible to overheating than desktops with restricted ventilation and smaller fans and heat sinks.  If you work in a dusty environment or have pets check all your vents regularly for dust and hair collections.  Do not push anything into the air vents; the safest way to clean these vents typically is using a simple can of compressed air that can be purchased at most computer supply stores.  Do not hold the nozzle too close, however as you could transfer moisture from the cold air.  Read the label and practice on your hand to get the correct distance.  If you wish we can clean your laptop professionally at a very reasonable cost.

Be sure your fan is running properly as well.  If it is not, serious damage can occur to your laptop’s motherboard CPU or GPU chips.  If your computer shuts down without warning and there is not a power or battery problem, it is a sure sign of overheating.  Some laptop designs were less than adequate and sometimes a BIOS or graphics driver update can help with overheating.  If you suspect overheating (or you use a lot of graphics intensive software such as games or video) bring in your laptop and we can check it out.

Cleaning and Caring for the LCD Panel
Use a clean soft cotton cloth or soft paper towel slightly dampened with clean water.  Do not regularly use Windex or other ammonia based cleaners as they can eventually damage the plastic covering of the LCD.  Never spray any liquid directly on the LCD panel or any part of the laptop.

Unless it is a “touch screen” laptop, never poke or touch the screen with fingers, pens or other objects.  If it is a touch screen, use the finger or other included stylus only.

BATTERIES AND BATTERY LIFE:

The bane of most laptop users is the lack of a really long battery life. There are three main types of laptop batteries:  Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion).
Before the first use, charge the batteries for 12 hours or the minimum charge time, as mentioned in the manual. For daily use, charge the battery to capacity, then run the laptop on battery power until it is completely drained (for Ni-Cd or Ni-MH batteries, this prevents the memory effect) or almost drained. (For Li-ion batteries, this can help prevent overcharging).

Nickel-Cadmium
This type of battery must be fully discharged and then fully recharged every few weeks. If you don’t do this, it will quickly lose battery life due to what is known as the ‘memory effect’. The memory effect means if you don’t follow the above procedure, your battery will only charge up to the percentage of the last charge.

For instance, if you discharge it to 30 per cent, it will only charge up the remaining 70 per cent. Do this repeatedly, and the 30 per cent will become unusable, giving you an effective 70 per cent charge even though the indicator will still show a 100 per cent charge each time you charge it.

Nickel Metal Hydride
Ni-MH batteries are similar to Ni-Cd batteries, although they are less susceptible to the memory effect. They also have a higher capacity.

Lithium Ion
These are the latest type of batteries, and have no real problems as far as the memory effect is concerned. The problem with these is that they lose their effectiveness if overcharged or left for a long time with a full charge. Always discharge these batteries if you’re going to be storing them away.

Keep Your Battery Healthy
Don’t leave your battery unused for long periods of time. Even if you use AC power most of the time, use the battery regularly to keep it in good condition. Switch off your AC adapter when the laptop is not in use. This prevents overcharging.

To extend battery life, you can try decreasing the LCD brightness while using your notebook. You can activate the ‘Standby’ and ‘Hibernation’ power-saving modes, too, for better battery life.

Note that newer energy star compliant laptops will automatically slow down the processor when it is not plugged in to a power source.  If you need optimal speed, are running updates or installing new software always plug it in to an outlet!

FOR SAFETY REASONS—NEVER use an AC adapter that has visible damage to plugs, wires or plastic cases.  NEVER charge a battery with a known problem like overheating or not holding a charge for a normal period.  REPLACE THEM with the proper unit for your specific model only.