What would happen to your car if you never changed its oil? Most people know that simple, regular maintenance like oil changes and mechanical checks improve performance, prevent expensive engine repairs, and extend the useful lives of their cars. The same is true for your computer. Getting regular maintenance keeps your computer running faster and prevents real disaster.
Maintenance is Key to Computer Performance, Security and Problem Prevention
It takes less than half an hour to have your cars belts tightened, tire pressure checked, and fluid levels refilled on your car. Basic computer maintenance is just as fast and easy. A qualified Microsoft or Apple certified engineer can quickly perform the key tasks to keep your system running trouble free, securely, and fast:
Operating system patches and updates
Freeing disk space and defragmenting the hard drive
Checking for proper installation of applications, removing unnecessary start-up items, and deleting unused programs
Security checking including updating the firewall and removing adware, viruses, and spybots
Checking registry for invalid items
Check error logs for trends, patterns, and warning signs
Much more
Beware of GeeksUse only Microsoft and Apple Certified Engineers
Basic maintenance should not take a lot of time, but it does take expertise. Many people claim to be technologists, but lack the training to do a good and thorough job. The technology that runs your machines is constantly changing. Make sure that you work only with Microsoft Certified or Apple Certified engineers who stay fully-up-to-date on the technology, software and security issues. At
PC Mac Express, we often work on machines that were set up by my brother who is good with computers, or the tech guy my friend uses. Before we do anything, we have to undo their mistakes. A Geek is not a certified engineer!
You Know You Have a Problem When
Many times, you cant tell you have a problem until it is too late. Get maintenance regularly no matter what. If you are experiencing any of these warning signs, however, get your machine to the shop immediately:
You get error messages that cause applications to shut down. While Windows can recover from an error, it doesnt fix the underlying problem
Your machine takes a long time to start or to shut down
Your machine runs slowly all the time
Your start hearing unusual sounds or the unit produces an unusual amount of heat
Back Up, Back Up, Back Up
We cannot say it enough. Regular maintenance and good computer usage habits will go a long way to keeping you out of trouble. Still things happen like fire, theft, electrical shorts, which are out of your control. For this reason, make regular backups. Test your backups to make sure they will work for restoring your system. Keep at least one copy of your back up off site.
PC Mac Express can advise you on ways to make backing up easy, convenient, dependable and consistent.
