PC Maintenance Checklist

Things to do whenever you work on a PC

Several environmental conditions are bad for PC’s:  static electricity, heat, bad or loose connections, electrical shorts, physical damage. The following checklist items address these. – make it a habit to think of these every time you have a PC open.

Always be aware of the danger of static discharge. Frequently touch the metal chassis as you work.

Check the fans, both power supply and CPU. Place your hand across the fan vents on the rear of the power supply case, and check that air is moving there. Make sure the CPU fan turns freely, and that no cables are in a position to fall against the fan and stop it.

Think about airflow. Keep cables bundled and dressed away from the CPU and memory modules as much as possible.

Be aware that a PC needs some open space around it, to shed heat.  Avoid stuffing a PC into a closed space or compartment.

Keep the slot covers along the back apron in place. Openings in the case disturb proper cooling air flow, and also may allow mice (4-legged variety) into the machine, with unfortunate results.

Notice the level of dust in the PC – dust acts like a blanket to hold heat in.  When possible, use compressed air to blow dust off the components (power OFF). NOTE: only do this when you can take the machine outside, or at least away from the customer’s work area. It makes a mess.

Before closing up a PC you’ve worked on, look at all cables, connectors and I/O cards, to make sure you have not dislodged any of them.

Never, ever leave a loose screw or piece of hardware inside a PC. It will almost certainly find its way into the circuitry and cause trouble, from intermittent errors to a system-killing electrical short.  If you hear a loose object in a PC, open the case back up and shake the machine as necessary to remove the item.  A magnetic screwdriver is useful for this, too.

Give socketed chips a push, to reseat them. (with power off, and after you have touched the case.)

 If you have a circuit board out of a PC for any reason, take the opportunity to clean the edge contacts. Either wipe them off with a Q-tip and alcohol, or ‘erase’ them gently with a pencil eraser.  This is a good time to reseat socketed chips, too. See above.

Brute force should never be required when removing or installing any piece of computer hardware. If you are having trouble getting a part or a connector in or out, STOP and investigate. You can easily damage a part beyond repair by being stubborn!  VGA monitor connectors, for example, are especially easy to bend pins on – and if you break off a pin, you may end up replacing the monitor…

Technician Etiquette

Make yourself unwelcome, and you could lose your job…

Your relationship with the PC user is critical to your success as a technician. It is at least as important as your technical skills.  Professionalism demands courtesy and respect toward your clients.  

Think of yourself as a guest when you are in a client’s office, and behave accordingly. Ask permission before using the phone, sitting in someone’s chair, moving paperwork, etc.  Put things back as they were when you leave.  Practice simple courtesy.

Be conscious of where you put your tools and computer parts as you work. For example, don’t set the PC cover where someone could trip over it.  Don’t set dusty parts atop someone’s marketing proposal.  Don’t set an alcohol-soaked Q-tip on a varnished chair.

Keep in mind that computer parts can have sharp edges. Don’t dismantle a PC on the walnut conference table or glass-topped desk.  Lay the machine or parts on a shop rag or similar protective layer.

Keep the safety of the customer’s data uppermost in your mind – it’s the most valuable thing in the computer.  Carefully consider possible damage, before taking any action involving the hard drive.

Never delete files or reformat a drive without consulting the user.  If you feel the need to remove files that you suspect may be causing problems, RENAME them, instead of deleting them. This way, if some program you are unaware of needs the files later, the files can be put back in place by simply naming them back to their original names.

Remember that this is NOT YOUR PC.  Avoid the urge to rearrange desktop icons, change screen resolution, swap wallpaper, etc.  If you find something that should be changed for performance reasons, discuss it with the user.

As a technician, you may have opportunity to see or hear confidential business or personal information as you work. It is important to maintain the confidentiality of this information – you never saw or heard it.  Violating this rule can have serious business - even legal - consequences for you and you employer.

Focus on the job at hand. Stay out of office conversations, unless you are addressed. Keep your comments polite and professional.  No crude language or edgy jokes.  Office gossip?  You never hear it.

Never make derogatory comments about your company, your products, or your co-workers to a client.  It’s unprofessional, reflects poorly on you, and could have serious repercussions.  Who knows, you could be talking to the guy who’s having lunch with your boss later.  Or the guy who will be reviewing your resume some time down the road.  You don’t want to be remembered as the jerk who complains about his employer to anyone who will listen….  

Be cautious of situations where you might be overheard discussing a customer or their PC, and speak accordingly.  Customers might not understand that you were ‘only kidding.’  When taking a customer’s phone call, be aware that the caller may still hear everything you say, even if you cover the receiver with your hand! Put the phone on hold!    Better yet, avoid saying anything you wouldn’t want a customer to hear.

Be careful to avoid any trace of arrogance – the thing customers despise most from a technician.  Sure, you know more than they do about the PC – that’s why you’re there.  Demonstrate your skill by fixing the problem efficiently – not by telling the customer how smart you are, and how little they know.