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A Clean Computer is a Happy Computer " |
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A
computer's natural predators are dirt, dust, static electricity and
humidity. The inside of your computer is their perfect breeding ground.
During the winter when it's cold and damp outside, it becomes warm
and dry inside. The warm dry air is perfect for creating static electricity
which acts like a magnet inside your computer. |
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In
the summer we're faced with the opposite climate. Moisture can be
attracted to component parts by the cool air from air conditioning
reacting with the hot air produced by the Processor and Power Supply.
As dust and dirt are sucked into the computer by the fans venting
out the hot air, the static electricity traps the dirty particles
and allows them to cling to the components. These particles start
to build up which keeps the components from cooling properly. They
get into the fans moving parts which causes the bearings to dry out,
slow down and eventually stop rotating. You will know this is happening
when you hear groaning noises coming from inside your computer. If
you've had your computer for awhile but have never had it cleaned
or even looked inside, you will be amazed as to what has appeared
inside of that box! |
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At
least twice a year, you should have your computer thoroughly cleaned.
If you're not sure how, call a professional. We're trained in working
with delicate computer circuits and peripheral equipment. Contact
Us.
A good preventative maintenance program can save you from experiencing
unnecessary downtime and costly repair bills. |
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The
majority of electrical related computer problems are NOT DUE
to surges as you might expect but from Sags, Brownouts and
Reduced Power. Learn about the various problems with information provided
by:
American Power Conversion. |
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| Sags:
Also known as brownouts, sags are short term
decreases in voltage levels. This is the most common power problem,
accounting for 87% of all power disturbances according to a
study by Bell Labs. |
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Cause
- Sags are usually caused by the start-up power
demands of many electrical devices (including motors, compressors,
elevators, shop tools, etc.) Electric companies use sags to
cope with extraordinary power demands. In a procedure known
as rolling brownouts, the utility will systematically lower
voltage levels in certain areas for hours or days at a time.
Hot Summer days, when air conditioning requirements are at their
peak, will often prompt rolling brownouts. |
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Effect
- A sag can starve a computer of the power it
needs to function, and cause frozen keyboards and unexpected
system crashes which both result in lost or corrupted data.
Sags also reduce the efficiency and life span of electrical
equipment, particularly motors. |
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| Blackout:
Total loss of utility power. |
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Cause
- Blackouts
are caused by excessive demand on the power grid, lightning
storms, ice on power lines, car accidents, backhoes, earthquakes
and other catastrophies. |
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Effect
- Current work in RAM or cache is lost. The hard
drive File Allocation Table (FAT) may also be lost, which results
in total loss of data stored on drive.. |
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| Spike:
Also referred to as an impulse, a spike is an
instantaneous, dramatic increase in voltage. Akin to the force
of a tidal wave, a spike can enter electronic equipment through
AC, network, serial or phone lines and damage or completely
destroy components. |
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Cause
- Spikes
are typically caused by a nearby lightning strike. Spikes can
also occur when utility power comes back on line after having
been knocked out in a storm or as the result of a car accident. |
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Effect
- Catastrophic damage to hardware occurs. Data
will be lost. |
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| Surge:
A short term increase in voltage, typically lasting
at least 1/120 of a seconds. |
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Cause
- Surges
result from presence of high-powered electrical motors, such
as air conditioners, and household appliances in the vicinity.
When this equipment is switched off, the extra voltage is dissipated
through the power line. |
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Effect
- Computers and similar sensitive electronic
devices are designed to receive power within a certain voltage
range. Anything outside of expected peak and RMS (considered
the average voltage) levels will stress delicate components
and cause premature failure. |
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| Noise:
More technically referred to as Electro-Magnetic
Interference (EMI) and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI), electrical
noise disrupts the smooth sine wave one expects from utility
power. |
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Cause
- Electrical
noise is caused by many factors and phenomena, including lightning,
load switching, generators, radio transmitters and industrial
equipment. It may be intermittent or chronic. |
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Effect
- Noise introduces glitches and errors into executable
programs and data files. |
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If
you need assistance in selecing an Uninterruptible Power Supply, click
on the icon to the left to
use American Power Conversions' UPSSelector.
Then return and select your UPS from the selection below. Click an
Icon. |
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| Back-UPS |
Back-UPS
ES |
Back-UPS
VS |
Back-UPS
CS |
Back-UPS
LS |
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| Back-UPS
Pro |
Smart-UPS |
Smart-UPS
XL |
Matrix-UPS |
Symmetra |
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Well,
you've cleaned your computer and protected it from electrical problems,
so, you're as safe as you can be. Right?
WRONG!
What are you doing about Virus Protection? Viruses and worms have
cause major chaos in the data processing world. And, if you've never
contracted a virus, you either have a good AntiVirus program or you
have been very fortunate...so far!
You say you have no Virus
Protection. You're really living on the edge !! |
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