Taking Care of your Laptop

• Environment - how external conditions affect your laptop.
  
  
• Handling - how to treat your laptop.
  
  
• Cleaning - the right way to do it.
  
  
• Not So Obvious - tips that will prevent major problems.
  
  
• Security - guard your investment.
  
  
• When Travelling

Do not operate in extreme cold or heat

Your laptop is sensitive to extreme heat or cold. Hot or cold weather can warp the case, ruin components and damage batteries.

Do not leave your laptop in a car for extended periods of time

Leaving the notebook in a car can expose it to temperature stresses and to theft. Intense heat can warp the case or ruin internal components.

Operate at room temperature

When moving from the cold, allow the notebook to reach room temperature before operating. The display needs to be at room temperature to function properly. Laptops will form condensation when changing temperature, which can damage the notebook if it is turned on and the condensation has not evaporated from the inside components.

CD's ( music or CD-ROM ) can also form condensation, so let them warm up before using them in the notebook.

Keep your laptop out of areas where it may get wet

Water damages the computer's components and also introduces a shock hazard. Do not turn on the computer if it is wet. If your laptop does happen to get wet, do not turn it on. If it is on, turn it off immediately ( if you feel you are not risking a shock hazard ).

Place power cables where they can't be stepped on or tripped over.

This could send you and your laptop flying.

Avoid areas with a lot of dust or smoke

Both dust and smoke can damage the notebook. The laptop's internal fan draws a lot of air through the computer and buildup of any sort can short out sensitive connections.

Carry the laptop in a proper laptop bag

The extra padding is crucual to its protection if dropped. It also keeps it dry.

Handle your laptop with both hands at all times

Dropping a laptop often results in major hardware damage. For example iBooks can actually bow and bend internal components when being held with one hand. iBooks lifted by the DVD/CD area can actually bend the gears of the motor mechanism. When picking up your open computer, hold it by the keyboard half.

Don't place the notebook where it may fall

Be careful not to put it on a stack of books or overhanging the edge of a table.

Never handle a laptop by the screen

Pressure can ruin screen pixels and bend the display frame. Oil and dirt from your skin also ruins the screen's film coating. Don't scratch, twist, hit or push the surface of your computer display.

Don't force a CD, cord, or card in or out of your laptop

Contact technical help if anything is ever stuck. Forcing cards or cords usually results in jammed cards and broken cords or sockets.

Don't place heavy objects on top or squeeze the laptop into a tight bag

The internal compression can cause damage.

Don't close the machine with anything sitting on the keyboard

Even paper can cause damage. Pens and pencils can actually crack the screen.

Try not to move your laptop when it is on

Moving a laptop while it is turned on can potentially damage the hard drive. Make sure to shut down or put the laptop to sleep or suspend when moving it.

Use clean hands

Your laptop accumulates oil and dirt very easily. This can ruin the exterior finishes.

Clean your laptop

Use only a soft, lint free cloth and if necessary, lightly moisten only with water. Cleansers can damage the screen and other finishes.

LCD screens have a thin protective film. Chemicals or abrasion will ruin this coating. Use only a soft, lint free cloth and if necessary moisten lightly with water. Outward pressure on the screen can damage components.

Don't eat or drink near your laptop

Not only will food particles make your keyboard tacky, but many laptop computer repairs are a result of drinks spilt onto keyboards. The liquid passes through to the logic board and can cause major damage.

Using the AC Adapter

When charging your laptop, plug the AC Adapter into the wall first and then plug the other end into your laptop. This prevents damage to the power circuitry.

Do not disassemble your computer

Only an authorised repair person should disassemble and repair the computer. The laptops come with a warranty. See your tech if the machine is not working properly.

Protect from power surges

Buy a surge protector if possible. Power surges and spikes in power lines and modem lines are a high cause of damage to computer power supply, logic boards and modems.

Modem Care

Unplug your modem from the wall jack when not in use. This prevents a power surge through your phone line from striking your laptop if you don't have a surge protector.

Thunderstorms

Unplug the modem from the wall when a thunderstorm is approaching. Lightning can zap your phone line and render your modem card ( and possibly the notebook ) useless. I is also important to umplug your laptop from the electrical socket, even if you are using a surge protector powerbar.

Do not change the power mode settings

Avoid areas with large magnetic fields

These include stereo speakers, TV's, refrigerators or anything with an electric motor in it. Hard drive data and data on diskettes can be damaged.

Security Guidelines

Comply with all copyright and licensing regulations for all software installed in the notebook.

Take care of your information

Always be aware of who can see the information on the notebook. If you can read the screen, often others can as well.

Periodically back up the files on your hard disk to preserve the information and avoid loss of important data through damage to your hard drive or by a destructive virus.

Leaving bags or the computer carrying case unattended makes the notebook easy to spot and a prime target for theft. Notebooks can be stolen from any public place.

Suspend or shut the notebook off when unattended. This will help prevent others from reading personal information from your notebook display.

Make sure to zip up your laptop bag after you put your laptop away

A large number of laptops are damaged by falling out of bags that were accidentally tilted.

Don't leave a laptop unattended

The theft rate for laptops is extremely high. Keep your laptop with you or stored away securely, if possible at all times. Inquire about security locks or alarms that can be purchased. Don't assume that it is safe in your car. Take it with you.

In cars

Leaving the notebook visible or unattended in cars makes it vulnerable. Use necessary precautions appropriate for the environment. Treat the notebook like you would your wallet, but don't sit on it.

Aircraft Travel

Ensure adequate battery power is maintained to allow you to turn on the computer at airport security gates. Security personnel will often ask you to turn on your computer before they will allow you to board.

Always carry the notebook in your carrying case and avoid checking it as luggage.

The notebook or data stored on diskettes will not be damaged by exposure to airport X-ray machines. Keep a close eye on the notebook as it travels through the X-ray machine. Never place it on the conveyor before you are ready to pass through the scanner.

If the notebook is stolen while travelling, promptly contact appropriate security personnel for assistance. It is very important that the theft be reported as soon as possible.

Hotel Rooms

Leaving the notebook visible or unattended in hotel rooms makes it vulnerable. Ask hotel staff if they can store your notebook in a safety deposit box or the hotel safe. At the very least, store the notebook out of sight when leaving it in your room.