Knowing the difference between a broken computer and wounded computer will save you a lot of time and money. I consider a computer to be broken when parts must inevitably be replaced because they are too damaged to be repaired. This could be because of misuse or just because they are getting to be really old pieces. On the other hand, just because a computer does not work does not mean that it is doomed for the trash can.
There are several precautions to take when handling the physical parts of a computer. The hardware of a computer is very delicate, and it is very susceptible to static electricity. The transfer of electric charge from one component to another is called electrostatic discharge (ESD). Anyone can build up a small static charge just by walking on carpet. ESD can happen when you touch any circuitry or anything metal on your computer. This can severely damage your computer components, and what is worse is that it is not always immediately evident. More about ESD and its effects are here.
Other ways to avoid mishandling computer parts is think of holding an egg. Now imagine it being more fragile. When you buy new computer parts do not open the package right until you are ready to install them. Circuit boards and CPUs have metal prongs or pins on the back the component that are easily bent. Holding the computer part on the edges can avoid this. If you must lay the part down, lay it down on a flat and even surface. If you notice that there are any damages such as bent pins when you open a new computer part, return it to receive a new one. It is not worth the money for something that possibly already does not work.
Just because your computer is acting like its 100 years old and you bought it 1 year ago does not mean that hardware misuse is to blame. The field of technology is fast-growing, and your computer just might be a victim of that. What this means is either you do need to upgrade your parts to more recent version, or you simply need to upgrade your drivers. Assuming you have a decent knowledge about Windows OS and an Internet connection, updating your drivers is as simple as a few mouse clicks. This does not need to be done as soon as new drivers are released. If you are not experiencing any problems, then do not test fate. If it is not broke, do not fix it. Upgrading hardware is also not necessary if everything is working correctly and should only be done if what you have now is compatible with what you are going to buy. Buying a new piece of hardware that is faster will not do a damn thing if it is not suppose to go in your type of computer. It is like pouring creamer into a soda just because you do with your coffee – bad things happen and you waste your money.
On a similar subject as drivers, software is an important subject to have a decent grasp on when troubleshooting your computer. Your computer might be really slow but have nothing to do with the outside of your computer. Downloading the wrong thing can result in the slowing of your computer. There are people out there that write programs that intentionally slow or damage your computer software. You knew that. They are designed to be hard to get rid of and in some cases impossible to get rid of without a full hard drive wipe. So the best method is prevention. Be cautious of what you download, and only download from sites you can trust. Still, there are a few viruses that do not even need your permission to sneak onto your computer. That is why there is Anti-virus software and anti-spyware software. These take a look at the files on your computer and remove the malicious ones. There are plenty of places where you can grab yourself a free antivirus trial. Regardless, its almost a necessity to have an antivirus program of some sort. But do not have more than one! They end up fighting each other, so then neither work right.
These are just a few tips to keep your computer healthy and alive longer. Ending up with a broken computer is inevitable. Everything breaks, but these tips will keep it around longer.