| | | | | system you use or it may be faulty leading to a fatal |
| Computers are performing more and more tasks in | | | | short circuit. |
| the office and workplace than they ever have before. | | | | 5. Power problems - Power surges or unexpected |
| Computers can conduct many tasks more efficiently | | | | power cuts can not only cause instant loss of data but |
| than human workers but the more we rely on them | | | | can fry a processor. It is not just power from the grid |
| the more vulnerable we find ourselves when the | | | | that causes problems either - lightning can surge |
| machines fail. | | | | through cables (even phone wires) frazzling your |
| Each year, companies have an average of 501 hours | | | | system and so can static. |
| of computer downtime, costing them millions in annual | | | | 6. Dirt/Dust. A dusty environment will clog a computer |
| productivity and revenue and according to a recent | | | | and block cooling vents causing a computer to |
| study; computer downtime is responsible for the loss | | | | overheat. Dust can also contain conductive material |
| of 3.6% of annual revenue. Which is almost has high | | | | and particles can stick to circuit boards and cause a |
| as the revenue loss by employee absence (6 %)! | | | | short circuit. A cloud of dust can also explode if it |
| The average life of an office PC is 3-4 years yet a | | | | comes into contact with a source of ignition (like a |
| computer’s life can be cut down to a fraction of | | | | computer). Even home computers if not properly |
| that amount if the machine is expected to work in less | | | | cleaned can succumb to problems caused by too |
| than perfect conditions. | | | | much dust. |
| Yet the majority of causes for a computer failure can | | | | 7. Water/fluids. Of course computers are electrical and |
| be prevented by adhering to some simple steps: | | | | with all electrical equipment, computers and water do |
| 1. User errors – Any tool is only as good as the | | | | not mix, just one spilt cup of coffee could see the end |
| workman who uses it and computers are no different. | | | | of your PC. |
| Actions such as not powering down properly, skipping | | | | 8. Heat. Processors can run exceptionally hot and if a |
| scan disks or continual button pushing while a | | | | computers cooling system is inadequate (because the |
| computer is processing can damage a computer’s | | | | machine has been upgraded, overclocked or just |
| hardware, particularly drives and processors. Always | | | | clogged up with dust and grime) it will only be a matter |
| follow the correct guidance in using a computer | | | | of time before it packs up for good. |
| machine. | | | | 9. Cold. Just as with heat, computers don’t enjoy |
| 2. Faulty manufacture –It seems there are an | | | | the cold too much either. Processors will not operate |
| almost infinite number of manufacturers and | | | | at all if the operating temperature is too cold as |
| assemblers making computers and while some have | | | | condensation inside the machine can freeze and |
| vast experience and resources, others are no more | | | | expand damaging the processor and electronics. |
| than two guys in a garage so it is not surprising that an | | | | 10. Knocks/bangs. Computers are sensitive machines, |
| increasing number of computer systems are faulty | | | | simply moving a PC to another room can cause |
| when bought. | | | | havoc, disrupting the delicate circuitry and hard drives. |
| 3. Bad upgrades - It is not just computers themselves | | | | Dropping a computer or severe knocks and bangs will |
| that are victims of bad workmanship, upgrades by | | | | permanently damage the circuits and processors or |
| inexperienced computer fitters can cause horrendous | | | | dislodge wiring. |
| problems. Faulty add-ons such as RAM can kill a | | | | The easiest way to protect a PC in business |
| processor instantly, also attempting to | | | | applications from uncontrollable hazards such as heat, |
| ‘overclock’ or interfere with a processor can | | | | dust or vibrations is to use an industrial computer |
| often lead to a fatal melt-down. | | | | enclosure. These industrial PC enclosures allow a |
| 4. USB Device Mishaps. It seems everything can be | | | | conventional PC to be used whilst housed in a |
| plugged into a USB these days. However, it maybe | | | | protective cocoon which can be dust, water and even |
| that your USB device is not suited to the operating | | | | explosive proof. |