Taking Care of Your Notebook

Notebook Care

Observe the following measures to prevent problems and promote the successful operation and long life-span of your notebook.

Protecting Your Notebook From Power Outages

Fortunately, there are tools that can help when power supply is interrupted. Basically there are two types of protection against power problems, a passive form such as those provided by surge suppressors and a multi-featured back-up power source like the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS).

•Surge Suppressors - although computers are equipped with some surge protection, it is wise to acquire a separate surge suppressor for added protection. A surge suppressor protects power supplies and communication lines from electrical surges but does not offer a back-up power source. While some suppressors have a manual on-off switch, other types combine switched and unswitched circuits. A mix of switched and unswitched circuits can be a useful feature since you can keep, for instance, a battery charging while shutting off the power for other equipment.

•Back-UPS units - equipped with a battery to maintain power during outages, the UPS allows users to save data and properly shut down the notebook. Most UPS also include surge protection as a feature. There are two basic UPS types, the standby power supply (the least expensive choice) and the multi-featured on-line UPS systems.

Below are tips on power protection and some hardware features to consider before buying these devices:

•Be sure to unplug your notebook, including the line to the modem, during lightning storms.

•Always use a proper power cord to plug your notebook to the line power. When using an extension cord make sure it is a reliable cord.

•Look into the energy absorption features. Surge suppressors are rated by the amount of energy they can absorb, which is measured in joules. The higher the surge ratings the better the unit. Experts say around 200 joules is basic protection, 400 joules provide good protection and 600 joules or more is far better.

•Check if a surge suppressor has a circuit breaker or fuse. Many suppressors are equipped with either a circuit breaker or fuse that will blow or trip in case of a short circuit and severe surges. Compared to fuses, circuit breakers are preferred because fuses have to be replaced when damaged by a short circuit.

Protecting Your Notebook From Damage

There are several ways in which you can protect your notebook from possible damage. We strongly recommend the following protective measures:

•Connect a Back-UPS unit (see “Protecting Your Notebook From Power Outages” above) between your notebook and the grounded AC power outlet. A Back-UPS unit protects your notebook from sudden transient increases and decreases in electrical power.

•Be sure to connect all peripherals, such as your monitor and printer, to the Back-UPS unit that should be the only device that you plug into the AC power outlet.

•Avoid repeated power-on cycles. These subject the notebook components to temperature variations and stress.