Technology is an integral part of our lives and many of us use electronic devices all day long. As a result, occasional mishaps and accidents are bound to occur. Here is a list of the most common hardware mishaps we see in our service depot and how to avoid them.
Jack Attack
The power ports in laptops tend to be a delicate component and can create problems—if the power jack becomes damaged, the batter may not charge and when it is completely flat the machine might not turn on at all. Be sure to unplug the cord from the laptop when you are moving it or placing it into a bag/sleeve. This will avoid exerting torque on the power connection which could damage the chord or the port on the computer.
Built To Spill
Liquids and electronics typically don’t mix. Care should be taken to keep full glasses and cups away from computers. But what should you do if you do spill on your computer? Turn the machine off immediately and unplug the power cord. If it is a laptop with an accessible battery, remove the battery. Remove the back panel with a small screwdriver to allow air to reach the components and invert the machine on top of paper towels or a microfiber towel, then let it sit for a few days. Placing a fan to blow on the machine might facilitate faster drying. With any luck, you can dry the liquid before any components with electrical current running through them get wet. In a few days, if everything appears dry, try turning on the computer. If it won’t turn on you may have dead components and it should be taken to a professional repair business.
Keep Your Screen Pristine
Laptops can break in all sorts of ways, but screen damage is one of the most common. Make sure you keep objects off of the palm rest to avoid damage when closing the lid. Avoiding placing laptops on the floor or anywhere other than a case or a flat surface is a good way to avoid mishaps like stepping on a device or dropping it from a high place. On some models, the hinges and the anchor points that the hinges attach to might wear out over time. If you don’t need to close the screen (let’s say you are primarily using the computer in one place) you might save unnecessary wear and tear by simply leaving the screen up.
Shock Talk
A common issue with desktop computers during severe weather season is dead power supplies or other components that get zapped during lightning storms. Be sure you have a good surge protector (pay attention to the indicator lights on it) or that your computer is unplugged from the wall outlet during inclement weather.
Put A Case On It
Mobile devices that are made to be used on the go should have cases and tempered glass or plastic screen covers to prevent shattering and scratching. If you are someone who frequently moves your laptop around, or are just prone to accidents, you might look into obtaining something similar for your computer.
Physically taking care of your computer goes a long way toward preventing expensive problems. But if you do accidentally damage your computer, we can help you out at Mankato Computer Technology.