Cars and computers have a lot in common. They both rely on complex interconnected systems, and a minor problem in any of these systems can severely impact overall performance. In both the automotive and technology worlds, preventing problems through consistent maintenance is much better than reacting to issues after they occur. For example, we all know it's better to keep a car engine healthy by getting regular oil changes than to hope major machinery problems don't crop up later and demand expensive fixes. Taking the same approach to PC maintenance can keep your computer running smoothly and help prevent big problems down the line.
Here are six ways that your computer and car maintenance are similar:
- Keep it clean: You shouldn't allow that winter grime to build up and eat away at your car's finish. The same goes with your PC. Over time, your computer or laptop fan will get clogged by dust and debris, which can prevent it from cooling properly. Whether your engine or your computer is overheating, the results are the same: damage. In the same way, you can take your computer to a technician every year or so for a cleaning.
- Replace worn-out parts: If something isn't working properly in your car it's usually best to proactively replace it before your vehicle breaks down. Similarly, your computer's internal parts such as the fan, hard drive, processor, RAM, or motherboard may become faulty over time. In some cases it's worth replacing these parts individually before they fail completely and before you consider buying a new PC.
- Too much stuff will slow you down: If you're carting around a trunk load of bricks, it's going to be harder for you to accelerate quickly and maintain high speeds—you'll also burn more gas. By eliminating redundant software that you don't need, removing temporary files that have collected on your system and turning off unwanted startup programs, you can eliminate the excess so your system runs faster. If you aren't adept enough to perform this sort of maintenance on your own there are several third-party tune-up programs on the market, such as iolo technologies' System Mechanic, that are designed to do it for you.
- Protection from theft: After you park your car, you lock it up and perhaps even set an alarm. It's too valuable to be left unprotected. The information stored on your PC can be equally, if not more important. Cybercriminals can hack into your system and take confidential financial information or other data that would allow them to steal your identity. Malware can also attack and degrade your computer files and system. Just as your car has locks and an alarm to protect it from thieves, it's important for your PC to have strong firewall, antivirus, and password protection to protect it against malicious attacks.
- Have your registration, license handy: If a cop pulls you over, he'll want to see your license and registration. If you don't have these, you could be in big trouble. Likewise, most software now requires a license or activation key to install. If something happens to your computer and you're forced to reinstall you'll avoid a lot of frustration if you have your software documentation handy.
- Practice preventative maintenance: Cars need regular preventative maintenance such as fluid changes, belt replacements, and fuel system cleanings to stay in top shape. PCs should also get regular tune-ups to ensure that they stay clean and healthy. Thankfully, you can do that yourself by installing a PC tune-up product like System Mechanic, which can help you keep track of your system on a continuous basis and let you know if problems are detected.
Stay tuned for more tips on how to keep your PC running better than new!
