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Checklist for managing your IT hardwareAny business owner will be much better off if they're not worrying about recurring hardware issues. While your company may still have IT hardware problems, you can implement policies to keep your office free from previous issues. Here's a checklist that can guide you and get you started. ✓ Clean up your computer components Wipe […]

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Checklist for managing your IT hardware

Any business owner will be much better off if they're not worrying about recurring hardware issues. While your company may still have IT hardware problems, you can implement policies to keep your office free from previous issues. Here's a checklist that can guide you and get you started.

Clean up your computer components

Wipe your monitor with clean, static-free fabric; remove excess dirt from your mouse’s exterior; and tidy up your keyboard with compressed air. Don’t forget your computer tower! Dust buildup can block your computer’s air vent and affect its performance. Ensure that your workstation is getting adequate ventilation and isn’t directly exposed to sunlight and other heat sources.

Manage your cables

If you’re not giving your computers’ cables the attention they deserve, now’s a good time to do so. Other than wiping the thick coat of dust off of computer cables, consider using cable management solutions that unclutter and untangle messy wires. These don’t just organize and secure your cables, they also help ensure your PCs run quieter and are less prone to overheating as a result of blocked air vents.

Planning to relocate or upgrade in the near future? Organizing your computers’ cables now makes future relocation and upgrading processes much easier.

Review and update your inventory

Keeping an inventory of all your hardware helps you manage hardware life cycles and purchases, identify items that are near their end of life, and ensure you avoid duplicate purchases of items already in stock.

Your inventory list should include all owned and leased devices: PCs and laptops, printers and scanners, tablets and smartphones, and modems and other network hardware. Update all your assets’ serial numbers and keep track of their respective users and location.

Printer maintenance

Clean the interiors and exteriors of your printers, including paper trays, which are sure to have accumulated dirt from years of use. You should also repair and/or replace parts and accessories such as print heads and cartridges that are no longer in good condition. Should you decide to do a complete printer maintenance, check for the latest software updates for your printers and install them immediately.

Implement a hardware policy

This is also a good time to create a technology guideline that your employees can follow to ensure they work efficiently. These guidelines reduce the need to spend on unnecessary repairs, keeping the succeeding year’s checklist shorter. With clear instructions on the proper use, replacement, and storage of your hardware and devices, you’ll be better able to manage your hardware for years to come.

With a more organized IT hardware inventory, you have one less thing to worry about. Want to get more in-depth hardware management advice? Call our experts today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Prolong laptop battery life with these tricksIt’s difficult to get any work done with your laptop notifying you that it’s running out of juice. And if you are not close to a power outlet, your laptop will soon be nothing more than a cold slab of metal and plastic. Here are some helpful tips to prolong your laptop battery’s life. Some […]

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Prolong laptop battery life with these tricks

It’s difficult to get any work done with your laptop notifying you that it’s running out of juice. And if you are not close to a power outlet, your laptop will soon be nothing more than a cold slab of metal and plastic. Here are some helpful tips to prolong your laptop battery’s life.

Some truths about your laptop battery

Batteries in many modern devices are lithium-based — either lithium-ion or lithium-polymer — and users must take note of the following guidelines for proper battery maintenance:

  • Leaving your battery completely drained will damage it.
  • Batteries have limited lifespans. So no matter what you do, yours will age from the very first time you charge it. This is because as time passes, the ions will no longer be able to flow efficiently from the anode to the cathode, thereby reducing the battery’s capacity.

What else can degrade your battery

Besides being naturally prone to deterioration, your battery can degrade due to higher-than-normal voltages, which happens when you keep your battery fully charged at all times. Even though a modern laptop battery cannot be overcharged, doing so will stress and harm your battery.

Both extremely high temperatures (above 70°F) and low temperatures (32–41°F) can also reduce battery capacity and damage its components. The same goes for storing a battery for long periods of time, which can lead to the state of extreme discharge. Another factor is physical damage. Remember that batteries are made up of sensitive materials, and sustaining a shock from a fall or similar  can damage them.

How to prolong your battery life

Now that you know some facts about your laptop battery, it’s time to learn how to delay its demise:

  • Never leave your battery completely drained.
  • Don’t expose your battery to extremely high or low temperatures.
  • If possible, charge your battery at a lower voltage.
  • If you need to use your laptop for a long period of time while plugged into a power source, it’s better to remove the battery. This is because a plugged-in laptop generates more heat that will damage your battery.
  • When you need to store your battery for a few weeks, you should recharge your battery to 40% and remove it from your laptop for storage.

These are just a few tips on extending the life of your hardware. There are many more ways you can maximize your hardware efficiency and extend its longevity. Call our experts today to find out more!

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Easy fixes to your Wi-Fi issuesFrom answering emails and using online productivity suites to browsing Facebook and streaming YouTube videos, a fast and reliable internet connection is a must. But what do you do when there are connectivity and speed issues? Here are some solutions to five of the most common Wi-Fi worries. Range constraints Wi-Fi works via radio waves […]

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Easy fixes to your Wi-Fi issues

From answering emails and using online productivity suites to browsing Facebook and streaming YouTube videos, a fast and reliable internet connection is a must. But what do you do when there are connectivity and speed issues? Here are some solutions to five of the most common Wi-Fi worries.

Range constraints

Wi-Fi works via radio waves that are broadcast from a central hub, usually a piece of hardware known as a router. To avoid a weak signal in your office, make sure:

  • Your router is placed in a centralized location and not tucked away in the corner.
  • Your Wi-Fi antennae are either in a fully horizontal or vertical position for optimal signal distribution.

Note that Wi-Fi range constraints can also occur from interference, so if your office is situated in a highly populated area, try changing your router’s channel.

Slow speeds

Despite a high-speed or fiber optic internet connection, slow load times can still occur for a number of reasons. To optimize speeds, try the following:

  • Make sure your router is located in the same room as the devices connecting to it.
  • Install more routers to better accommodate a high number of connected devices.
  • Close bandwidth-intensive applications such as Skype, Dropbox, YouTube, and Facebook.
  • Disable your router’s power-saving mode.
  • Create a new router channel to avoid network bottlenecks.

Connection issues

We understand how frustrating it can be when the Wi-Fi network shows up on your device but still won’t connect. Before you give up, these solutions might help:

  • Determine whether your Wi-Fi connection is the problem or if your internet is down by plugging your laptop directly into the router via an Ethernet cable. If you can’t get a connection, then Wi-Fi isn’t the culprit.
  • Factory reset your router with a paperclip or a pen and hold down that tiny button for about 30 seconds.
  • Try rebooting your device.

Unstable connections

Random hiccups in your Wi-Fi connection are normal from time to time. However, if they become a constant nuisance in your office, try the following quick fixes:

  • Move your router to a different spot or even a different room.
  • Avoid having too many routers in the same location, as that can confuse your device.

Network not found

Router glitches can result in your Wi-Fi network not appearing at all. Two solutions that can resolve this problem are:

  • Disconnecting the router from the power source and waiting at least 30 seconds before reconnecting it.
  • Replacing an old router; if it’s over three years old, you’re probably due for a replacement.

When you experience Wi-Fi issues, these tips will help you avoid serious downtime. But if you’d rather have a dedicated technology provider take care of your hardware needs, give us a call and we’ll be happy to help.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Manufacturers concerned about PC shortageThe world’s largest computer manufacturers are growing concerned about the shortage of computer chips. Even though the issue was reported back in September 2018, Intel is still having trouble meeting the demand. So, what’s the cause of the major PC shortage and what does it mean for businesses? Reasons for the shortage There are many […]

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Manufacturers concerned about PC shortage

The world’s largest computer manufacturers are growing concerned about the shortage of computer chips. Even though the issue was reported back in September 2018, Intel is still having trouble meeting the demand. So, what’s the cause of the major PC shortage and what does it mean for businesses?

Reasons for the shortage
There are many contributors to Intel’s long-running chip production problems. For starters, demand for Intel computer chips has been higher than expected as more businesses depend on resource-intensive applications, cloud computing, and state-of-the-art machines to gain a competitive edge.

Additionally, there are major delays in the production of Intel’s next-gen 10-nanometer processors, largely because the company is short on capacity. This means businesses will not have access to PCs featuring these processors until much later in 2019.

Intel also appears to be prioritizing development of server CPUs, as they make up a huge portion of the company’s revenue. Focusing on server chips, however, has resulted in slower production rates of consumer-grade CPUs. Desktop CPU revenues, in particular, lagged significantly behind notebook and server CPUs, which resulted in the shortage of chips for desktop PCs.

What’s being done
Experts predict that customers will have had enough server CPUs so production for these productions will slow down by the second half of 2019, freeing up enough capacity to meet the demands for desktop and notebook CPUs. In fact, according to Intel’s interim chief executive Bob Swan, “We are working closely with our customers to align demand with available supply while we add capacity and we expect supply-demand balance to improve by mid-year.”

Intel also promises that PC shortage issues will be completely resolved by the third quarter of 2019. In the meantime, computer hardware manufacturers like Lenovo and Asus have their work cut out for them. To make up for the Intel chip shortage, PC manufacturers are strongly considering switching to AMD processors for desktops and laptops.

What does the shortage mean for businesses?
Businesses who are unable to acquire the newest Core, Celeron, and Pentium series processors for desktops and laptops may have to look for alternatives compatible with non-Intel chips. But if your company is running on a tight budget, it may make more sense to wait until late 2019 to upgrade to computers equipped with next-gen Intel processors.

Sticking with older hardware does leave your business exposed to security and downtime risks, so it’s important to stay on top of the latest updates and regular maintenance. Fortunately, a top-notch managed services provider can proactively manage your hardware for a reasonable monthly fee.

If you want to hear more about the latest hardware news and developments, stay tuned to our blog. We also provide services for all things IT, so contact us today!

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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