Your computers, servers, firewall appliances, and other IT hardware work hard for you day in and day out. Most of us don’t notice when our technology is working for us, but are easily frustrated when the tech we rely on starts to fail.
The best way to avoid feeling frustrated by failing hardware is to properly maintain it. Prevent IT failures and disruptions by taking some time to run diagnostic tools, defragment your hard drive, and physically clean your hardware. A little elbow grease now can help you avoid a lot of headaches down the line.
Run the Windows 10 Memory Diagnostic Tool
Did you know if you use Windows 10, you already have an IT hardware health check-up tool you can use? The Windows 10 Memory Diagnostic Tool tests your computer’s memory for errors that may be slowing it down or prevent it from working optimally.
To use the diagnostic tool, hit the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box. From there, type “mdsched.exe” and hit Enter to run the diagnostic tool. You will need to restart your computer to allow the tool to check for problems. If the tool detects any issues, you’ll be notified once your computer restarts.
Defragment Your Hard Drive
Over time, data on your hard drive can become fragmented, making the hard drive work harder to perform. Routine defragmentation cleans up and reorganizes the data so your hard drive can continue to work properly.
Machines running Windows 10 automatically and routinely perform disc defragmentation. However, you can manually optimize your hard drive if you feel your computer is acting sluggish. To do so, click the start button and type “defrag.” Select Defragment and Optimize Drives, select the drive you want to optimize, and click Optimize.
Update IT Hardware Drivers
While you’re at it, take a look at all of your hardware drivers to see if they are properly updated and installed. Drivers help devices, such as your monitor, printer, video card, and network adapter, operate correctly and efficiently. Windows 10 automatically updates and installs drivers through Windows Update, but sometimes, you may wish to manually do so. You can access drivers through the Device Manager.
Blast Away Dust and Wipe Down Exterior Surfaces
Once you’ve given your system a health check-up, it’s time to give your physical equipment a once-over, too. Dust, grime, and spilled coffee can all cause your systems to slow down over time. Canned air can be your best friend in combating the dust and grime that collects in your computer tower and keyboard over time. Use canned air to blast away the debris hiding under the keys on your keyboard. Carefully use it to blow dust away from components at the back of your computer tower. Take special care when using canned air on your computer tower.
Once you’ve blasted away the dust, use a soft cloth to wipe down your computer tower, monitor, mouse, and keyboard. Avoid using solvents or other harsh chemicals, as these can harm your devices.
Giving your IT hardware a health check-up ensures your technologies are running optimally and efficiently. Don’t have the time to maintain your hardware on your own? Jurrens & Associates is here to help. Contact us today for expert help maintaining your systems.