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The average PC user doesn't think much about problems that can occur with a computer until the problem actually occurs. Once a failure happens, the repairs can be costly and time-consuming. There are, however, preventive measures that a user can take to decrease the likelihood of running into problems with the computer's smooth and efficient operation and also to lessen any damage that does occur despite best efforts to avoid failures.

Computer failures occur for a variety of reasons, sometimes because of human error and sometimes because of factors in the environment that cause a computer to malfunction (or a combination of human and environmental factors). These factors can include excessive buildups of dust, heat or magnetism; viruses picked up from the Internet or from storage media shared between different computers; static electricity shocks or power surges; carelessness, such as spilling liquids into a computer or bumping or dropping the hard drive casing; software that has not been configured correctly or a PC's setup that has been handled incorrectly; incorrect handling of upgrades.

• Save All Documentation: Save all information that comes with your PC and its components. You need to refer to the documentation when something goes wrong.



• Keep Records: Track any expansion cards installed or accessories you add to the computer.



• BACK-UP: Keep backup copies of all important data on a removable medium. Hard drives will fail and having important data on more than one medium can save a lot of stress and headaches.



• ANTI-VIRUS: Install an anti-virus program that automatically scans for viruses when the system boots. Do not download any files from the Internet unless you are certain the source is not transmitting a virus to you. Do not use any storage media that has been used in another computer unless you are certain the other computer is free of viruses and will not pass the virus on to your system.



• ANTI-SPYWARE: Install an anti-spyware program(s) that automatically scans for spyware when the system boots. Do not download any files from the Internet unless you are certain the source is not transmitting spyware to you.



• Relocating a Computer: Be extremely careful when moving a PC from one location to another. Even small jolts can damage Hards Drives, dislodge chips and expansion boards.



• Separation: Do not store your data files in the same directory that you store the software. This will eliminate the possibility of accidentally erasing or overwriting a software file. The very best solution is to store your data on a separate hard drive.



• Power: Do not connect power sources directly into wall outlets but rather, connect them first to some form of surge protector. Surge protectors prevent electrical surges from destroying hard drives and erasing data. If possible use a UPC (battery back-up) for even more protection and to allow an orderly shut-down when the power fails.



• Do Not Compress your Hard Drive: Compressed hard drives are more likely to become corrupted than those that have not been compressed.



• Rescue Disks: Keep a set of backup rescue disks for the operating system.



• Duplication: Keep a backup copy of original software, either on CD or floppy disk. This type of software copying is perfectly legal.



• Environmental Concerns:
• Do not place a PC directly near a heating or cooling source, such as heating vents or air conditioners. Excessive heat and cold can damage a PC.
• PCs should not be positioned so that an air conditioner is blowing directly onto the unit (as temperature drops, the likelihood of static electricity increases).
• Never place the PC in the path of direct sunlight.
• Do not place a PC near water sources that can splash onto the components or drip down into them. This includes open windows through which rain can enter.
• Never place PCs under plants, watering them or dripping water can be a hazard.
• Manufacturers often recommend that PCs be in a humidity-controlled environment.
• Keep the PC's air vents unobstructed.
• Don't smoke around PCs.


• Cleaning: Buildups of dust can seriously hamper a PC's ability to cool down, and even if you never open your computer's case dust can still get in through the drive openings. An efficient way to clean dust from the inside of a computer is with compressed air, blowing dust away from the motherboard and other components. You should never blow air directly into a floppy drive as this can cause dust to lodge in the drive and cause it to malfunction.
  
  Users who are not familiar with working inside a computer case should take the unit to a professional for cleaning because it is possible to do more harm than good to a computer if you do not know how to safely work inside of a case.