The average life of a workplace PC is about 4 years – but many computers can easily keep running for 10 years or longer with the right amount of maintenance and protection.
From keeping software updated to routinely cleaning the fans and vents, there are many different measures you can take to extend the life of your workplace computers. Below are 10 different measures you can take.
Use antivirus software
Viruses and malware can seriously affect your computer’s performance and lifespan. Installing antivirus software is one of the basic and essential measures that you can take to preserve the life of your machines. Businesses are more at risk of cyberattacks and so typically need more robust antivirus software – look for software plans that come with features like email scanning, website scanning and ransomware protection.
Keep software updated
It’s important to make sure that you’re not running any expired software on your computers. Once software stops receiving new patches it can become vulnerable to new security threats and prone to bugs. It’s particularly important that you’re not using an outdated operating system as this will affect the quality of all the software on your computer. Regularly shut down your computers to allow new updates to install and look out for applications that are due to expire so that you can upgrade to new software before this happens.
Regularly run Disk Cleanup
If your hard drive becomes too full, you can expect your system to slow down. Eventually your computer may start to periodically crash. Storing files on the cloud or external hard drives can help free up space, however it’s recommended that you also regularly declutter PCs. Running the Disk Cleanup tool can help to get rid of temporary files and logs that may be clogging up your hard drive. Defragging your computer can also help to organize files (most modern computers automatically do this).
Use surge protectors
Electrical surges can be caused by faulty wiring, power outages or lightning strikes. They can cause irreparable damage to computers – however, a surge protector can help to prevent this. These are devices that help regulate voltage, protecting your computers from sudden electrical spikes. They are recommended in all offices.
Maximize airflow
It is important to make sure your computers are adequately ventilated. If fans and vents are obstructed by walls or desks, it can increase the risk of your machines overheating. Make sure that there is enough space around each computer unit to maximize airflow into each of your machines. Raising computers off the ground can often help with airflow. You can also use external fans to help circulate cool air around your workplace and keep machines ventilated. Just make sure to position fans correctly so that you’re not blowing hot air at machines.
Shelter computers in dusty environments
Computers in dusty environments like factories and workshops tend to have a very short lifespan. This is because the excess dust can quickly clog fans and vents and cause machines to overheat. There are a few different ways in which you can shelter your computers in these environments. One option is to use dust curtains or screens to separate office areas from dusty work areas. Another option is to use electrical enclosures, which can act as a barrier around your computer. It is also possible to buy covers to place over computers to stop dust getting into them, but these should only ever be used when computers are not in use in order to prevent overheating.
Clean the fans and vents
Dust build-up in fans and vents kills many computers prematurely – even in relatively non-dusty workplaces like offices. Taking your computers apart to clean them is one of the most effective ways to extend the life of your machines. Using compressed air, it is possible to efficiently get rid of all dust and help maintain healthy air flow to components. You can hire a technician to do this if you do not feel comfortable doing this yourself. Consider carrying out this cleaning annually (computers in very dusty environments may need to be cleaned more regularly).
Use an air purifier
An air purifier can help to get rid of dust in the air, helping to reduce dust build-up within your machines. When choosing an air purifier, look for one with a HEPA filter – these filters are designed to help catch dust and debris to guarantee cleaner air quality. Some workplaces such as factories and mills will require much more elaborate air purification systems to help control the high levels of dust in the air. These may need to be in-built into the HVAC system. Offices typically do not need such a heavy-duty system and can get away with a standard portable air purifier machine.
Keep computers away from heat sources
Computers can also overheat if they are placed too near to radiators or heat vents. When deciding where to place your computers, try to keep them away from these heat sources. You should also be careful of direct sunlight – a computer situated in front of a south-facing window could end up getting cooked by the sun’s heat. While opening the window could help to ventilate your computer and counteract this, you could end up also letting in dust. Therefore, it’s best to keep computers away from windows – or at least not directly in front of them.
Take care when moving computers
Another way to shorten the lifespan of your computers is to damage them while moving them. When moving to a new office, it’s essential that you take measures to protect your machines from accidents. Hiring professional movers could help reduce the risk of computers being knocked or dropped. It’s also worth cushioning computers using materials like bubble wrap or to prevent them getting damaged during transit.
Conclusion
There are many ways to extend the life of your workplaces computers – namely protecting them from viruses, freeing up disk space, using surge protectors, protecting computers from dust and taking measures to prevent them overheating. Put in place all these measures and you may not have to replace your computers for years to come.
