Monthly Archives: November 2012

How Clean Is Your Computer?

I often get calls from people having  various problems with their computers which could have been avoided by keeping their computer clean.There are two main elements in every computing device: Hardware and Software. This month, I will talk about the hardware side of things.

Keeping hardware clean is pretty straight forward.  The electronic components in a computer generate a lot of heat.  Fans are used to pull cool air through the computer to carry the heat away.  Unfortunately, fans also pull dust, dirt, pet hair and other debris into the computer.  Eventually, the inside of the computer becomes clogged with dust and debris.  This causes the fans to run faster, making more noise and also pulling more dirt and debris into the computer.

Over time, the build-up of dust and debris will cause components to overheat.  Overheating will eventually lead to hardware failures. If your CPU, Memory, or Motherboard fail, your computer will either stop working altogether, or worse, it will exhibit strange behavior and crash frequently, leaving you with a costly, difficult to diagnose problem.

If your hard disk fails, not only will your computer stop working, but you will also face losing all your documents, photos, music, software and whatever else you’ve saved on your computer. Simply cleaning the dust and debris out of your computer on a regular basis can help avoid these problems and save you from the aggravation and expense of fixing or replacing failed hardware.

If you are comfortable with taking your computer apart, it is not terribly difficult to clean the dust out yourself.  However, if you’re not sure, call a pro to take care of it for you!  There are many sensitive parts inside a computer.  If you’re not sure what you are doing, it is best to call someone who is sure. Cleaning the dust and dirt from inside your computer is much like getting the oil changed in your car, or having your furnace cleaned.  It is a good maintenance procedure that will keep your computer in top condition longer.

In next month’s column, I will talk about keeping your computer software “clean” and healthy. If you have any questions for me, feel free to email me at Rick@Hogans-Systems.com.

How did we survive before computers?

If you’re like me, you grew up in world where most people had no idea what a computer really was.  We heard about computers.  We saw them on TV.  But, we didn’t have computers in our classrooms.  We didn’t have them in our homes.  Very few of us used them at our jobs. Today’s world is completely different when it comes to computers and technology.  Computers are everywhere now:  In our offices, our homes, our cars, and even in our pockets!

OComputer Keyboardur kids have been using computers most of their lives and they are quite comfortable with them. But for us older folks, computers,  and  other high-tech devices  might seem difficult to use, or intimidating. Many of us will turn to our kids for help in understanding how to use our high-tech gadgets. Although  they  may  be  quite   comfortable  with  using computers   themselves,  younger people  often   don’t  have  the  perspective, or the patience, to explain things in terms that make sense to an older person who did not grow up in a world filled with computers and electronic gadgets.

Even though I was born in the late 1950’s, I was fortunate enough to have stumbled into the world of computers during my senior year in high school.  I had no idea what I was getting into when I signed up for the only computer class offered in my high school in 1976, but once I got started, I knew I had found my passion. I frequently get calls from clients who need someone to guide them and help them  understand  the basics.  When I come to help them, they find that I am able to explain things in ways that make sense to a person who did not grow up with a home computer, or a smart phone, or GPS.  Clients will tell me that they’ve tried to have their kids explain things to them,  but the kids  could never explain things in terms that are understandable. I know how to work around the jargon and explain things in terms you can understand.

In future editions of this column, I hope to be able to provide some useful information that will help you better understand how to use your computer effectively and efficiently. If you have any questions for me, feel free to email me at Rick@Hogans-Systems.com.