Easy ways to keep your computer healthy

Get the Tip of the Day by Email

I just got back from the Genius Bar at the Apple store after I spent 2 days last week trying to figure out why my Macbook pro hated me and was threatening suicide after only 9 months. Since all my work files live on my computer and I have never backed them up, I was totally freaking out (obvi).

Turns out that the hard drive was faulty and I had done nothing wrong, but I took the opportunity while waiting for the diagnosis to drill my genius with 20 questions. In the beginning I was trying to prove my innocence. By the end, I learned a few useful tips for keeping my computer healthy. They might seem basic to some, but they were news to me!

I asked him, "Based on all the crazy stuff you see everyday, what are the 4 things you would recommend doing or not doing for a person like me?" 

1. For the love of god, back up your data.
2. Always, Always update your software when prompted even if it seems like bad timing (I thought this was just a friendly suggestion).
3. Stop walking around with your laptop! The hard drive is constantly spinning and it stops unnecessarily when you roam around the office with it. Instead, close your laptop, wait for the light in the lower right hand side to start 'pulsing,' then you are free to move about the cabin.
4. Let your battery die 2-3 times a month. If you don't, it gets lazy. Shut down completely every 2-3 days so it can clean the memory.

Hope it helps you avoid a nasty meltdown!

What's your top tip for keeping the computer running and your files safe? Share in the comments!

Kristen Dore is Director of Curriculum Development at NOI

Photo from sdminor81, via Creative Commons