We usually take it for granted that computers will always work. So, we just leave them alone, usually without any extra care. The most simple efforts at keeping the computer clean can boost performance and extend the life of point-of-sale computers.
If a few minutes of every month or so can be devoted to cleaning your computer system, your huge investment can be more easily protected, as it helps extend the life of the components, produce improved performance, and assure system stability. The steps we encourage you to take are not high-tech stuff. In fact, it may not even involve you opening up the computer case at all!
The life of your computers can be appreciably extended by making sure that those constantly running parts such as the case fan, the CPU fan, the power supply, floppy and CD drivers, the mouse and keyboard are free of dusts and other encumbrances. Maintenance steps fall into two broad categories: hardware and software.
HARDWARE
Protect with UPS (uninterruptible power supply). Use UPS or power filter for each POS computer. A UPS helps to keep your system from crashing during power outages, and prevents damage from low and high voltage occurrences. A power filter is a less preferred option, but a cheaper way of protecting computers from power surges and spikes. Regularly reseat the cables plugged into your surge protector. Check the unit's warning indicator to make sure the battery is running.
Mouse. You know that your mouse needs to be cleaned when it begins to stick as if drawn by the desk while you are using it. Unplug the mouse from the PC, flip it, and you will see a removable cover at the bottom. Turn the mouse cover in an anti-clockwise direction, then remove the cover and take the ball out for cleaning with a soft wet tissue. Replaced when done. Do this about once every three months.
Keyboard. Many keyboards are clogged with dust, food crumbs, pins, et cetera.
Cleaning them is simple. Turn the keyboard upside down and shake it to free it from any particles.
A good practice is to clean keyboards once a month with lint-free or dry cloth, isopropyl alcohol, cotton buds, and vacuum dust cleaner.
Monitor: Wipe the monitor case with isopropyl alcohol and a clean with a lint-free cloth, and clear its vents of obstructions and dirt. Clean the screen with a standard glass cleaner and cloth. If your monitor has a degauss button , push it to clear magnetic pile up.
CD, DVD and floppy drives: With a moistened, soft cloth, carefully clean the dust around the drives. Make sure the dirt from outside is not pushed inside. Do this every month.
A computer ventilation this dirty needs to be cleaned
Computer Case and fans. With the exception of the CPU (processor) fan, you can have access to the power supply and case fans from outside. Use a dust spray and cloth to clean the dust particles around the fans, but you can also use a small vacuum cleaner. If you can, unscrew each computer, and use a compressed dust cleaner to clean the inside. Be careful not to touch any of the delicate inner parts of the computer. Wipe the case, and make sure ventilation is good into the computer. If you have to open the case, before you do, turn off the power and unplug your PC. Ground yourself by touching any of various household metal objects before you touch anything inside to avoid destroying circuitry with a static charge.
Above and Below: Computer case fans, with dust hanging all around.
SOFTWARE
Do not turn your computer off with the power switch, always use the start\shutdown option, except when unavoidable. Except your computer locks up, using the power switch to turn off the computer will gradually damage the hard drive, data or Windows files. Permanent hard drive defects are usually as a result of sudden shutdowns. For POS computers, we recommend having a spare keyboard on standby. Use ALT + F4 to shut down the Positouch (Positerm) screen, and press the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys at the same time. Press them again (Windows 95/98), or select shutdown/Restart (Windows NT, 2000, XP) to reboot your computer.
Backup any data you cannot afford to lose to at least two separate physical drives. So backup data to floppies, Zip disks, CD-RWs, USB flash disks, etc. The time to backup is when you create something you can't afford to lose. Don't wait until tomorrow. For more information on Positouch backup, please read the May Edition of Profitouch.
Run Scandisk and Defragmenter on the Posdriver once a month. This will keep your hard drive healthy and compact.
Rarely unplug peripherals from the computer when it is powered up. Unplugging peripherals such as cameras, printers and external drives with the power on can short out the connector socket or the motherboard. The only exception to this rule is if you know a peripheral is "hot pluggable" like a USB Flash Disk.
Do not let a lot of programs load up when you start your computer . Programs use a lot memory and Windows resources. All programs in your Windows System Tray (in the lower right of your screen) are running on your computer. Close them if you don't need them or run them and configure them not to load when you boot up.
Guide against virus and spyware. Programs such as Symantec and McAfee antivirus are good to protect your computer for viruses and spyware. There are free protection software too, such as the Microsoft Antispyware.
Use a firewall program to guide your POS system if you have broadband Internet. This could be hardware or software firewall. Read more from our April Edition.
Keep track of the software disks you receive with your computer and new peripherals. These disks contain valuable software drivers and programs for Windows and are needed when Windows must be reloaded. Keep these disks and your Windows software disks in a safe, dry place.
Contact us for guidance and more information by calling 1-800-507-5554, Ext. 1
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