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Duties and Responsibilities

The document outlines 10 duties and responsibilities for maintaining and supporting computer hardware and software systems: 1. Back up your data regularly to external storage devices or cloud services. 2. Clean dust from your computer at least once a year by opening the case and using compressed air to blow dust out. 3. Organize cables and clean the work area, including wiping down the monitor and keyboard. Ensure adequate ventilation and surge protection for the computer. 4. Keep software installation disks organized for easy access when needed for maintenance or repairs. 5. Run antivirus and spyware scans regularly to protect the system from threats and slowdowns.

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Romelyn Angadol
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120 views5 pages

Duties and Responsibilities

The document outlines 10 duties and responsibilities for maintaining and supporting computer hardware and software systems: 1. Back up your data regularly to external storage devices or cloud services. 2. Clean dust from your computer at least once a year by opening the case and using compressed air to blow dust out. 3. Organize cables and clean the work area, including wiping down the monitor and keyboard. Ensure adequate ventilation and surge protection for the computer. 4. Keep software installation disks organized for easy access when needed for maintenance or repairs. 5. Run antivirus and spyware scans regularly to protect the system from threats and slowdowns.

Uploaded by

Romelyn Angadol
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

“Romelyn”

Maintain and support all computer hardware and software systems

1. Back up your data.


When was the last time that you backed up your data? Not 'when was the
last time you thought about it', or 'when was the last time you told someone
how important it is', but when was the last time you actually backed up your
data? And how much will you lose if your current hard drive fails right now
and you have to rely on that backup?

Think about that for a second. Now, go create a backup.

If you don't know how, don't have a regular plan, or just want to see what's
new in the field, Consumer Reports has a good overview of the most
common options. Personally, I have very little media on my computer, so I
burn my files to CD once a year or so, and copy files to a flash drive in
between. It's quick, inexpensive, and secure enough for my needs.

Another decent solution is to use a program like Foldershare to synchronise


your files between two computers (even better, two locations).

If you have the opportunity, make a full disk image (a 'snapshot' of your
entire hard drive) immediately after reloading the OS and all your
programs. This gives you a clean starting point to go back to if you need to
reload everything again, and will be much faster than redoing everything
manually. Acronis True Image 11 is good for the job.

2. Clean dust from your computer.


Computers are some of the most efficient dust collectors known to man.
Aside from looking gross and possibly being an allergy hazard, a dusty
computer will trap heat, which can reduce its performance and lifespan.
The easiest way to clean it is with compressed air - open up the case, take
it outside, and blow the dust out. The exterior of the case can be wiped
down with a damp cloth. Be careful about using household cleaners, as
they can easily destroy circuit boards. For most computers, cleaning once
every year or eighteen months should be adequate.

Beyond just getting the dust out, here are some other steps to consider: Dust
often collects inside the CPU and video card heatsinks, consider
disassembling and cleaning them if you're comfortable doing so, or at least
using compressed air to specifically blow them out. While the case is open,
plug in the computer and turn it on long enough to make sure all the fans
are still spinning. Replace any that are dead or noisy (a common sign of a
worn-out fan). If there is sticky residue or dirt on the circuit boards, it can be
removed with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, which will
evaporate cleanly. (Make sure the computer is unplugged first!) If you're
not comfortable with working inside your computer or suspect your
computer has chronic overheating issues, Puget Systems or another
professional repair service can help you out.

3. Clean up your cabling, and everything else too.


There are probably two things behind your computer: a mess of cables,
and dust bunnies. If you're moving your computer, take the opportunity to
clean your desk and floor as well. While I can't claim that a clean work area
will improve your computer's performance or lifespan, it will certainly
improve your peace of mind, and clean cabling will help prevent snags
and stresses on your computer ports. If you have a lot of peripherals,
consider using cable management of some type. Twist ties work fine, or
make a trip to any large office supply store. You can use a full out cable
solution, but even a five dollar cable wrap can neaten up your desk
considerably.

- While you're wiping down your desk, wipe down the monitor too. CRT
screens can be cleaned with any mild glass cleaner, but LCD screens can't
tolerate it. Use a dampened cloth or a product specifically made for LCD
screens.

- Keyboards can be turned upside down to dump out crumbs and dirt, or
keys can be pried off and the whole assembly cleaned with compressed
air. There are some good step-by-step guides available on Lifehacker. Take
a picture first so you can put the keys back in the right place! If you're
feeling adventurous (or just have a really disgusting keyboard), some
people advocate running it through the dishwasher.

- This is a good time to take a look at where your computer is located. Is there
adequate ventilation? Is the computer out of direct sunlight, and away
from heat sources? What is it plugged in to? There's no excuse for not
having a good surge protector (not just a plastic power strip!), and battery
backup units have become affordable for most users. This will affect the
lifespan of your computer.

- Smoking will make a mess of a computer faster than anything else I know
of. While we at Puget Systems have never seen one quite this bad, we can
always identify a smoker's computer as soon as we unbox it. Electronics
absorb the smell very easily, and even an all-metal case will retain the odor
after all the components have been removed. Plus, there's usually a layer
of dust and tar on the circuitry that tends to be a giveaway as well. Please,
if I can't convince you to quit smoking all together, at least take it
somewhere away from the computer!

4. Organize your installation disks


Keep software, peripheral, and driver disks in a single location, preferably
close to the computer. A shoebox works fine. Make sure you have them
handy before attempting computer maintenance or repairs - it's amazing
what can become necessary in the middle of a lengthy troubleshooting
session, and it is common to not know what you're missing until you need it!

5. Run antivirus and spyware scans regularly.


This item should go without saying, but I'll say it anyway. Any computer that
is connected to the internet needs to have some sort of antivirus software.
There is a tremendous variety available, everything from AVG Free to
enterprise-level solutions. Use whichever you like best. Most antivirus
software will monitor the system for threats in real time, so a full daily scan
probably isn't necessary, but do make time to run a full scan every month
at the least.

Some antivirus programs also protect against adware and spyware, but not
all. If yours doesn't, or if you just want an extra layer of
security, AdAware and SpyBot are two of the best known (and free!)
products available. While they may not be as destructive as viruses, adware
and spyware will compromise privacy and slow your computer drastically.
Run scans for them at the same time as your antivirus.
6. Clean up your software.
Every few months, look through the 'Add or Remove Programs' interface
that is found in the control panel. If there's software on there that you don't
use any more, remove it. This goes triple for browser toolbars, free games,
and other resource-eating bits of fluff. Be a little cautious, though - some
system drivers appear in this list, and can cause hardware to stop working
if you remove them.

There's an excellent scanning utility on Steffen Gerlach's website that gives


a graphical representation of the data stored on your hard drive. This will
give you a good idea of just how much room your music collection really
takes, or how much space is going to old games.

7. Clean up your OS
Windows is not the most efficient operating system, and sometimes needs
attention itself. It saves a large amount of unnecessary information, mostly
in the form of 'temporary' files (which never get deleted) lists of recently
performed searches, and the like. There's an excellent program
called CCleaner, which will clear out most of the unneeded data
automatically. If you're interested in further optimizing your OS, there's a
wealth of information available online, including an article on improving XP
performance available here on Puget's website.

8. Update everything
Check for updates for your hardware and software. This includes
running Windows Updates, checking for updated drivers, and checking for
software patches. The easiest way to find these is to go to the
manufacturer's website, to their support section, and then look for a
'downloads' section or search for your product's name. If you've been
having problems with a piece of hardware or software, be sure to check
for patches or updates - if other people have been having similar problems,
it's likely the manufacturer has released a fix for it.

The exception to this is motherboard BIOS updates. Flashing a BIOS can be


difficult, and if it's done incorrectly you may need to send the computer for
professional repair to get it working again. If the update was specifically
released to address problems that you've been dealing with, it's probably
worth it. Follow the manufacturer's directions carefully! Otherwise, leave it
alone.
9. Defragment
Once your hard drive has been cleaned up, it's a good time to defragment.
This organizes your files, leading to faster disk access times and improved
system performance.
The Windows defragmenting tool (Start > All Programs > Accessories >
System Tools > Disk Defragmenter) works well, or there's a list of open source
and commercial defragmenting software available on Wikipedia if you'd
rather use something else.

10. Read more articles like this one


Last but not least, continue to read articles like this one, and anything else
computer related that catches your eye. The computer industry is
constantly changing - even if you have the same computer, there will be
innovations that affect you. At the very least, you'll go into your next
computer purchase far better informed than you would be otherwise.

Oversee maintenance to equipment and keep systems up-to-date with operating


systems upgrades

Maintain and keep up to date the operating system and upgrade

 Ensure controls are set


 Perform troubleshooting for various system errors
 Evaluate connectivity issues, network equipment, and servers
 Perform data backups and other maintenance requirements to ensure
optimal performance
 Run system-wide antivirus protections
 Ensure data and employee information is not at risk
 Set up equipment and operation for new users and employees
 Install, test, and monitor servers, firewalls, and new software as needed
 Support team members with resolving computer issues
 Monitor web performance, network availability, and security
 Keep track in log of performance and malfunctions
 Maintain peripheral devices to ensure all systems are functioning properly
 Assist IT team and computer programmers as needed to install and test new
upgrades and products

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