How to Protect your Laptop: 30 Tips

I have been using computers for around 30 years. I started using my first laptop, a Toshiba 1100 in the latter part of the 1980’s. The laptop weighed around 5 kilos, plus a pile of floppy discs etc. Carried around the world, the machine seemed amazingly light at the time.Mindfulness and heedfulness contributes to reliable use of the laptops. I have only had one major crash that sent the laptop to laptop heaven. More than 20 years ago, I bought and used a cheap second hand laptop for some months before the motherboard blew up.

My laptops have experienced a variety of climates – from the freezing winters of Sweden, to the blazing mid-summer heat of the Sinai Desert, to the intensity of the monsoon in a hut in Thailand and to the heat and wet of the rainforest in Australia. Thanks to Belkin surge protector, the laptops endured years ago sudden electrical surges in India. The laptops have passed through countless x-ray machines of varying quality at airports.

A couple of years ago, I forgot to zip up my daypack carrying my Toshiba laptop (without a protective case) while walking to the local coffee shop in Totnes, Devon, England. The laptop fell out of the bag on my back and crashed down on the concrete pavement. An expletive seemed the appropriate response. To my relief, it booted up in the coffee shop.

I told an Indian friend in Delhi about it. He told me he had a better story with his Toshiba. He had the bare laptop under his arm while crossing the street and dropped it while running across the busy road. A car drove straight over the laptop. A cracked screen was the only damage. The laptop still booted up. Years ago, I knocked over a cup of coffee with sugar onto the keyboard. I tapped the keyboard but no letters came up on the screen. I wiped the keyboard with a cloth and still no letters appeared on the screen. I got out my daughter’s hair dryer. After a few minutes, the keyboard starting working again.

I buy a new laptop every four or five years. I bought a new one last August. Yes, a Toshiba. Last month, I bought Nshorna, my daughter, a white laptop. She launched last week her online wedding auction website (www.weddingbideasy.co.uk). Yes, yes, a Toshiba, a 15.4” Satellite model for under £400. No, no. I am not receiving commission or dana (donations) from Toshiba.

I am also blessed with regular contact with a handful of people with immense knowledge about software, websites, Microsoft Office, Libre Office, operating systems and computers – Benoit, Jude, Martin, Mark, Nicole and Sahar. I regard them as Lords of the Laptop.

Here are 30 tips towards Protection of your Laptop/Desktop (in alphabetical order)

Adjust power settings to turn off display and put computer to sleep when not in use.
Avoid installing large programmes or too many that leave little space leaving a slow laptop.
Avoid sunlight on laptop or leaving in car or exposed to hot, wet or cold days.
Back up at least once a month on an external hard drive and keep in safe place. Don’t rely on Cloud.
Be mindful of wires on the floor, due to pets, kids, unmindful adults, legs and chairs.
Be mindful of zipping up daypack containing laptop.
Children and pets can damage a laptop.
Clean screen regularly with screen cleaner and keyboard with soft cloth. Too much dust inhibits cooling system
Clear your browsing history including use of public computers
Close lid of laptop from the middle. Never lift laptop from the screen.
Do not completely drain battery to protect computer from start-up problems.
Do not leave plugged in overnight – wears on battery and connection
Use laptop on hard surface with air around. Don’t use laptop on your lap. Nor use on bed, floor or soft furnishings.Fluff might enter fan. Computer will overheat due to blocked air vents. Use computer stand or teatray, if necessary.
Install anti-virus and keep it up to date.
Keep details, serial number etc. of laptop to give to police in case of theft.
Keep liquids and crumbs away from computer. Liquids and food can damage electrical components and trigger short circuit.
Keep name/address on computer and lead. Never try another laptop lead for your laptop.
Keep Windows on automatic updating.
Minimum number of ikons on home page as it slows down computer
Never open messages or links to websites, dropbox from people you don’t know.
Plug lead in to side of laptop slowly and with care and take lead out with care.
Put block emails in Bcc not in To: Your list could get scooped up or others on list could use list.
Shut the laptop down when not in use to save it overheating.
Switch off laptop before carrying around to protect hard drive. Be mindful not to knock laptop on door or wall if moving from one place to another.
Use a Firewall to alert you to a virus, worm etc.
Use a laptop protector with zip.
Use laptop stand to keep base cool.
Use a pop-up blocker to prevent advertisers from using.
Use clean disk and defragmenter to make computer more efficient
Use toothbrush to clean air vent for exhaust fan on underside of laptop to stop overheating and use forced air dusters.