Derek Emerson

 Identify problems that can occur if hardware is not properly maintained.  Identify routine maintenance that can be performed by users.  Identify maintenance that can be performed by users.

 Examples of Hardware Problems:  Keyboard could become stuck.  Mouse will become sluggish.  The problem may be damaged cables.

 The best way to cut down on computer repair is preventative maintenance.  You should clean your computer every 3-6 months.

 Dirt, hair, and food particles can accumulate in your keyboard.  Every 6 months use compressed air to remove particles from the keyboard.  Mice that get the dirtiest are mechanical mice.  Solution:  Remove as much debris as possible from the roller ball.

 Cleaning a printer prolongs its life.  For an Inkjet Printer use a cleaning cartridge.  For a Laser Printer:  Use print quality deteriorates  Change the toner cartridge  Clean the rollers.

 RAM is your computers main source of memory.  When your RAM fills up it goes to the Hard Drive.  Adding more RAM will also increase your computers performance.

 Computers slow down as you add and install things.  Microsoft Windows has a set of tools you can use to make your computer run faster.

 Can occur when a piece of data is broken up into many pieces.  Windows contains a utility that reduces the amount of fragmentation.

 Holding area for files and folders before their final deletion.  You can recover the files in the recycle bin or permanently delete them.  Deleting them also helps your computers performance.

 To free memory for other programs.  To act as a safety net to prevent data loss.  For printing.

 What a web site uses to identify a specific computer.  Cookies are not a threat to your computers security.

 You should let a computer professional do the following:  Replacing power supply or opening the power supply case.  Replacing electrical components.  Replacing processor

 The security of a network is challenged everyday by equipment malfunctions, system failures, computer hackers, and virus attacks.  Computer hackers and viruses are a great risk to networked environments.