how often should I take my computer in for a checkup?

Question

I have a 6 month old Gateway laptop with no major problems, but is it like a car where you should take it in to be sure. Also any other advise on maintenance would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Ah, who told you, you had to do that? You don't have to take your computer in for a checkup. If you are not having any problems, no error messages or strange noises, then chances are your computer is A-Okay. I never take my computer in for a checkup, not unless it's having problems.


Any of the stuff they would do to it, you can do very easily on your own. Click start, all programs, accessories, system tools, disk clean up and disk defrag.

And you can set your virus protection to run weekly or daily scans.

Answer 2

Unlike a car there are no parts in there that require routine service (like oil change and brake pad check...). Unless you live in a very fluffy environment or keep your PC on the floor it won't need dust removing during its normal lifetime... of 3 years or so. Vacuum the dust out of the case ventilatoin openings every time you can be bothered WITHOUT opening the case. If you know what the insides are supposed to look like and how they work, cleaning the inside occasionally with an air blower and a vacuum to collect the crud won't hurt. DO NOT vacuum the circuitry directly.

Get an AV, update it regularly. Once every day or two (if it can be set to auto-update) or as frequently as you can if it's a manual process.

Get a software firewall that's better than the XP/Vista one and CONFIGURE IT. Only allow what you have to allow through the firewall... block everything else. Check its logs... occasionally.

Depending on the hard disk size and what you do, defragmenting the disk drive (from windows explorer, right click the drive, select 'properties' then the 'tools' tab and then 'defragment') sometimes. Once a week to once every few months...

Once every 3-4 years your PC may need a new BIOS battery... if you're not confident with the insides of PC get a shop to do this when it needs it (when the clock forgets its time when the computer is powered off is time for this job).

Judging by the local PC chain stores in the UK they employ 'cheap' labour who know not much mode than you about the inside of a computer and don't care as much as you about your PC or it's data. And they *do* like to sell unnecessary stuff. If you let them loose on it every six months you'll likely regret it... from your wallet if no-where else.

Answer 3

in general I would not take it in untill something breaks. Most of the time you will get little waring that its about to go anyway. IF you suspect something then take it in. I would clean it out once every 6 months too. More often if you have pets. to do that I would just clean it off and open it up and with a dry cloth wipe the dust out.

Answer 4

I think you can run your self scan disk, antivirus, health check, hardware diagnostic, you will know your own laptop performance. If you feel anything weird, bring it to service, else you can save your money for others use

Answer 5

I would take it in at least every 6 months or so just to keep everything working smoothly. They will scan for viruses and spyare and also defragment and cleanup your computer....and blow the dust bunnies out.