How to Perform Computer Hardware Maintenance Task for xPortalNet iSMS PC

Summary:

• Physically clean computer hardware.

• Check disk usage.

• Analysis & defragment.

• Check computer utilization.

• Test UPS batteries.

Figure 1: Overview of the Computer Hardware Maintenance Checklist

Step-by-step Guide:

• Physically clean computer hardware:

Step 1: Cleaning computer, component and peripherals help to keep the PC in good working condition, prevent germs from spreading and allow proper air flow. Although dust seems trivial when compared with other maintenance issues, excessive dust and grime can lead to overheating, which can cause data corruption, equipment damage, or downtime related to random errors.

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Step 2: Before starting to clean the PC, check around your PC for anything nearby that could raise its temperatures (such as heating ducts or sunshine coming through a window). Clear away anything that might fall on to the PC or block its air flows such as a bookcase or untidy cabling.

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Step 3: Prepare your cleaning tools. Here are several tools you will need to clean your computer.
 
Figure 2: Cleaning Tools Required

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Step 4: Once ready to start cleaning computer, turn off the power and unplug it from power source.

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Step 5: Cleaning external components such as computer case, keyboard, mouse, and monitor to avoid a build-up of dust and dirt.

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Step 6: Cleaning internal components such as CPU, fans, graphics card, power supply, motherboard, RAM and other components.

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• Check disk usage:

Step 1: Keep the disk storage organized, delete old logs and documents that are not in use occasionally, and relocate or backup data to external disk. Keep an eye on your disk if your partition or disk space reached 100%, as the computer may stop working and database tables and data may be corrupt and lost.

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• Analysis and defragment:

Step 1: Hard disk problems are common and may create a big issue to the operation of the PC, so you will have to review the log for disk read error every now and then.

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Step 2: Perform surface analysis and defragmentation on the hard drive on a monthly basis, depending on your system operation schedule. Operating system provides disk utilities that include surface analysis and defragmentation, which reorganizes the files on the disk and improves performance.

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• Check Computer Utilization:

Step 1: Reboot the server on a regular basis, such as on a weekly or monthly basis, if possible. Rebooting runs the computer through the Power On Self-Test, or POST process, an important asset of diagnostics that ensures all hardware is functioning correctly.

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Step 2: Occasionally, check the CPU and physical memory usage.

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Step 3: Also, perform virus and malware scan to prevent unwanted viruses or malwares from infecting the PC.

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• Test UPS Batteries:

Step 1: Prevent the batteries from losing capacity over time. Check the condition of the batteries regularly and replace them according to manufacturer's recommended schedule.

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Step 2: Simulate incoming power failure to see if the UPS picks up the load and powers the PC for the specified period.

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Step 3: Check the line voltage as the UPS take over to make sure there are no serious spikes and surge to the PC system.