Start Maintenance As Soon As You Buy Your Computer

The best place to start minimizing your headaches with computing is to start at the beginning. You can take steps to maintain your computer at the time of purchase. Many people do not know what to do first.

Think of your computer as an investment if you do not already. Start your plan for future repairs as soon as you bring your computer to your home or work. Read the documents that come with the computer and check your model on the manufacturer’s website. Determine from these two sources what you need to restore the computer to its original factory settings. Check these resources before using your new computer. They are your best guide to early preparation required in order to recover the default configuration that comes with your computer.

There is always a possibility you will have to reinstall your operating system sometime during ownership. Do not talk yourself into thinking this will not happen to you or believe that waiting to see if it happens is an easier approach. You will find all solutions online begin with your knowledge of the specific needs of your computer and the requirement that you have the tools to get your computer back to working condition. You can ask the sales person that sold you your computer to inform you or look to other online resources outside of the manufacturer to get your information, but you will not know if what you find is accurate or complete until it is too late. Take the time to confirm what you find using the information created specifically for your computer.

Computers should come with a recovery CD, a restore partition, or a way to create a onetime set of recovery discs. Beware of assuming that a second partition includes the ability to restore your computer without the assistance of a disc. Sometimes these partitions only allow you to get to a place on your computer where a disc is then required.

Create a space to store all documentation, licensing, and software together. Keep your old driver software (software that helps your operating system communicate with your hardware). Original drivers become hard to find when the manufacturer retires a part.

You may find an updated driver and at times will be intentional in your search to keep your computer up-to-date or to correct an issue not related to a fresh install. However, when you are trying to recover an operating system, you want the option of using your old drivers.

Using a new driver on an old system when you are trying to restore it from scratch may require other upgrades to work properly. It is usually not worth the extra effort when you are trying to get back in service unless the driver is the source of your problem.

Remember, the likelihood of having to recover your operating system from scratch exists as a possibility throughout the life of your computer. People often file documentation and software away or toss it after a year or two passes. It is not easy to predict what will be important down the line, but accurate information and the ability to recreate what was there at purchase will save hours and money. Please keep your resources accessible as long as you own the computer. Consider This!