The PC Preventive Maintenance Information Technology Essay
Preventive maintenance is a routine maintenance actions aimed at the prevention of breakdowns and failures of computer (Weibull, 2007). The main aim of preventive maintenance is to prevent the failure of equipment before it actually occurs. These include tests, measurements, adjustments, and parts replacement, performed particularly to prevent faults from happening.
Two types of PC preventive maintenance are planned maintenance and condition based maintenance. Planned maintenance is maintenance that is performed on a regular basis in order to prevent a machine from deteriorating or breaking down. Condition based maintenance is maintenance when need arises. This is when one or more indicators show that equipment performance is deteriorating. Regular maintenance such as cleaning up, backing-up data, removing obsolete programs, Microsoft updates, security updates and defragmentation are precautions one must take while doing preventive maintenance.
We require preventive maintenance because it helps to prevent breakdowns, failures, secure data and information of computers. It increases the efficiency and speed of the equipment and it also saves you from spending too much money when the machine breaks down completely and requires a big time repair or a replacement. Preventive maintenance cost lesser than repairs and replacement.
Software maintenance and software deployment are software preventive maintenance. Software deployment is all of the activities that make a software system available for use (Wikipedia, 2010). The method consists of several interrelated activities with possible transitions between them and this is done at the producer site or consumer site. Software maintenance is modifying a software product after delivery to remove errors and improve performance.
Software upgrade is replacing a software program with a new improved version. Software upgrade can keep the computer more secure, up-to-date, and performing at its best. Computer viruses are small software programs that are designed to spread from one computer to another. Viruses can increase their chances of spreading to other computers by infecting files on a file system that is accessed by another computer.
Malware, adware, and spyware programs are computer viruses that can harm the computer. Keeping the computer updated, use of patches, firewall and protected internet access are the safe techniques to keep the PC virus free.
Backup is making copies of data on a medium other than your hard disk. Full backup, image backup, selective backup, differential backup and incremental backup are types of computer backup. Full Backup backs up all selected files. Image backup is a backup of an entire hard drive by means of creating its image. An incremental backup backs up only those files created or changed since the last backup. Differential backup contain all files that have changed from the time when the last full backup. Selective backup this when you select specific files and directories to back up. Back up is required in case a file is lost, hard failure or deleting wrong file. By the use of backup you can recover the lost files.
Floppy disks, tapes and hard disks drives are types of backup media. Tape is a sequential recording system. Tape drives use magnetic tape to store data and to access data the tape drive must rewind and fast forward to different segments of a tape to retrieve data. Hard disk is a storage device that store programs and data. Hard disks stores data even when the power is off; they do need power to perform read and write functions during usage. Floppy disk is a soft magnetic disk used by computers to store data magnetically. Floppy disks are inexpensive, portable and most computers have the hardware to use them. They have now been outdated by USB flash drives, external hard disk drives, CDs and memory cards.
Hardware maintenance is an understanding of how the PC hardware maintenance function should operate and be managed. Hardware plays an important role within a computer and this is why it is very essential for the users to be aware of the need to know some important aspects related to computer hardware maintenance. The users must take necessary actions to avoid the computer from being damaged or protecting the computer components running well as long as possible so that we might not spend too much money too often in order to acquire new computer components. In addition hardware maintenance is taking steps to keep the hardware working properly, for example; cleaning computer hardware, not drinking or eating when using a computer, implementing security hardware and keeping you computer well ventilated.
The purpose of preventive maintenance of a PC is to minimize or eliminate expensive repairs. This is done by inspection, testing and reconditioning a system at regular intervals to prevent failures in service or deterioration (Answers.com).
When working on a computer always be very careful with Electro- Static Discharge (ESD). ESD occurs when two objects of dissimilar charge come in contact with each other such as your body and a computer component. We require antistatic strap while doing preventive maintenance because it equalizes the electrical potentials between you and the server. The antistatic strap is designed to drain electric charges away and provide safety to the user.
Four PC components that require preventive maintenance are keyboard, monitor, mouse and CD-ROM/DVD. Dirty CD-ROM/DVD and floppy drives can cause errors while reading and writing. Floppy disk cleaner and CD lens cleaner should be used.
Security and removing dust are PC hardware maintenance tasks. Due to hackers, spyware sources and virus codes spreading on the internet, security on a PC is very important. Antivirus programs, firewall, patches and regular software updates can help to protect the computer from viruses and hackers. Computer hardware gathers dust and debris floating around the air and this dust can cause the computer’s fan to stop cooling off the computer, resulting in an overheated computer. Regular cleaning of a PC will improve the computer’s performance.
Keyboard may not operate due to various reasons such as wear and tear, heavy usage and accidents such as spilled drinks or exposure to extreme temperatures. Keep drinks away from your keyboard and always handle the computer with extra care. Check the mouse connection on the back of the computer for any signs of wear and tear or any other type of damage. Proper ventilation for the video can help with the moisture problem.