Maintenance of the computers and their components

Nursing Lecture Notes - Topic 4: Computer Maintenance

Table of Contents

Topic 4: Maintenance of Computers and their Components

Why is Computer Maintenance Important?

Just like you perform regular checks on medical equipment to ensure it functions correctly and safely, your computer also needs regular maintenance. Proper care helps your computer to:

Run faster and more efficiently.
Last longer, saving you money.
Protect your important data (like patient notes and assignments) from being lost.
Prevent problems before they become serious.

We can divide maintenance into two main categories: Software Maintenance (caring for the programs and data) and Physical Maintenance (keeping the hardware clean).

Part 1: Software Maintenance (The Computer's "Digital Health")

These tasks keep your operating system and programs running smoothly and securely.

1. Back Up Your Data: The MOST Important Task

Data is more valuable than hardware. You can always buy a new computer, but you can never get back lost patient data or a research assignment that you spent weeks writing. A backup is a second copy of your important files stored in a separate, safe location.

Why back up? To protect against hardware failure, theft, accidental deletion, or a ransomware virus locking your files.

Where should you back up your files?

External Hard Drive or USB Flash Drive: A physical device you can keep separate from your computer.
Cloud Storage: Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive store your files securely on the internet.

How often? If you are working on something important, back it up every day. For less critical files, once a week is a good habit.

2. Use and Update Antivirus Software

Antivirus software is your computer's immune system. It detects and removes malware like viruses, worms, and spyware.

An antivirus program is useless if it is not updated. New viruses are created every day, and updates provide your software with the information it needs to fight them.
Ensure your antivirus is set to update automatically.
Run a full system scan at least once a week to check for any hidden infections.

3. Keep Your Software Updated

This includes your operating system (like Windows) and your applications (like Chrome or Word).

Why update? Updates often contain critical security patches that fix weaknesses malware could use to attack your computer. They also fix bugs and can improve performance.
How to update: Most systems, like Windows Update, can be set to download and install important updates automatically. You should enable this.

4. Clean Up Your Hard Drive

Over time, your computer collects many unnecessary files that waste space and can slow it down.

Uninstall Unused Programs: If you installed a program and no longer use it, remove it. Go to the Control Panel > Programs and Features, select the program, and click "Uninstall".
Run Disk Cleanup: This is a built-in Windows tool that finds and removes temporary files, system junk, and items in your Recycle Bin. Think of it as clearing out clutter.

Part 2: Physical Maintenance (The Computer's "Hygiene")

SAFETY FIRST! Before you clean any computer component, you must turn it off completely and unplug it from the power socket. For a laptop, you should also remove the battery if possible.

1. Cleaning the Computer Case and Vents

Dust is the main enemy of computer hardware. It blocks airflow, causing components to overheat, which can lead to damage and a shorter lifespan.

What to use: A can of compressed air is the best tool for cleaning dust from inside a computer. Do not use a vacuum cleaner, as it can create static electricity that can damage sensitive electronics.

How to clean:

Take the computer to a well-ventilated area (preferably outside).
Open the side panel of the desktop computer case.
Hold the compressed air can upright and use short bursts of air to blow dust out of the case, focusing on fans (CPU fan, power supply fan) and vents.
Keep the nozzle several inches away from the components. When cleaning a fan, gently hold the blades with a finger or cotton swab to stop them from spinning too fast, which could cause damage.

2. Cleaning the Keyboard and Mouse

Keyboard: Turn the keyboard upside down and gently shake it to dislodge crumbs. Use compressed air to blow out debris from between the keys. Wipe the surface of the keys with a cloth lightly dampened with rubbing alcohol.
Mouse: Wipe the outside of the mouse with a slightly damp cloth. If it is an optical mouse, use a dry cotton swab to gently clean the small lens on the bottom.

3. What to do in case of a Liquid Spill

This requires immediate action to prevent permanent damage!

Immediately turn off the device. Hold down the power button if you have to.
Unplug it from the power source and unplug any connected devices (like a mouse or USB drive).
Turn the keyboard or laptop upside down to allow the liquid to drain out.
Use an absorbent cloth or paper towel to blot up as much liquid as possible. Do not wipe, as this can push liquid further inside.
Leave the device upside down in a warm, dry place to air dry for at least 24 to 48 hours. Do not be tempted to turn it on early.
For a laptop, it is highly recommended to take it to a professional technician, as liquid can get trapped and corrode internal parts.

4. Cleaning the Monitor (Screen)

You must use the correct method for your screen type to avoid scratching or damaging it.

For modern LCD/LED flat screens (on laptops and desktops):

Use a soft, dry, microfiber cloth (the kind used for cleaning eyeglasses).
If you must use liquid, lightly dampen the cloth with a little bit of plain water. NEVER spray liquid directly onto the screen.
Wipe the screen gently in one direction. Do not press hard.
DO NOT use paper towels, tissue paper, or rough cloths, as they can scratch the screen.
DO NOT use window cleaner, ammonia, or alcohol-based cleaners, as they can damage the screen's anti-glare coating.

A Simple Maintenance Schedule

Daily: Back up any critical files you worked on.
Weekly: Run a full antivirus scan. Wipe down your keyboard, mouse, and screen.
Monthly: Check for and install software updates. Use the Disk Cleanup tool.
Every 3-6 Months: Blow the dust out of your computer case. Uninstall any programs you no longer need.

Revision Questions for Topic 4

What is the single most important software maintenance task, and why is it so critical?
Why is an out-of-date antivirus program not effective?
What is the first and most important safety step you must take before physically cleaning any computer hardware?
Describe the correct tool and method for cleaning dust from inside a desktop computer case. What tool should you NOT use, and why?
You spill a small amount of water on your laptop's keyboard. List the steps you should take immediately, in the correct order.
What type of cloth should you use to clean a modern flat-panel monitor? What two things should you absolutely avoid doing when cleaning the screen?
What is the purpose of the "Disk Cleanup" tool in Windows?
Create a simple weekly maintenance checklist for your own computer, listing at least one software task and one physical cleaning task.

Prepared by Nurses Revision

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