Q&A for How to Take Good Care of Your Laptop Computer

Most computers need their hard drives replaced after about 5 to 7 years, when the mechanical devices that keep the motor inside the hard drive running wear down. If your laptop is getting close to this age, pay close attention because it may be time to replace the hard drive!

Look for these common signs of battery trouble. If you see the body starting to warp on your laptop, it could mean that your battery is expanding, and it should be replaced as soon as possible. You might also hear whirring coming from the computer or feel it heating up, and both are signs of battery trouble.

Try programs like Malware Bytes and CC Cleaner to clear out malware and old files. Both have free versions with all the features you need.

No. Just make sure you don't leave your laptop in extremely hot or cold environments.

Of course! It is fine and safe to browse the Internet while it is charging. Try not to let the battery get lower than about 40%, so as to get full use of the battery.

No, it shouldn't be a problem.

You usually get cleaning supplies with your laptop. In case you don't, or you have misplaced them, you can easily find them online and they are not expensive (you might even get them at a local store.) Or, as mentioned, use an old toothbrush for the keyboard.

It depends upon how long do you use your laptop. If you use your laptop constantly for five to ten hours a day, then it would probably be helpful to unplug the switch of your laptop so as to enhance the duration of the battery's life. However, it's also good to not drain it entirely each day, so don't let it go under 40 percent before charging it again.

Yes. Just make sure you're using a bag that's has enough space for your device. For example, a bag with a 15.6 inch pocket for your laptop wont fit a 17.3 inch one. It's a really good idea to slip your laptop into a cover to protect if from rubbing against other items in the bag -- even a pillowcase will do.

Yes, they can crawl through the speakers, fan, and under the keyboard and potentially damage your system permanently.

If you generally use an external keyboard with your laptop, put it in a separate bag, as this might cause damage to the laptop or the keyboard. You are advised to use the keyboard on your laptop.

No, it will not cause any permanent damage.

It depends of what kind of game it is. Some may take up a lot of space and some may not. Look at your hard drive capacity by going to Start Menu - Computer and then you will see your space, for example, 34.6 GB used out of 83 GB. You should also look at how much space the game takes up on your computer.

The only problem you will experience is your laptop will heat up very quickly and whatever you're using can become slow to load. Consider getting a cooling pad, which sits in your lap but prevents the laptop overheating.

You could, but it wouldn't be wise, as the power is charging the battery.

It should fit fine, though it depends on the size of your carrying case.

No, not closing your laptop will not damage your laptop. It's just likely inconvenient to keep it open all the time, so it would be good to get the hinges fixed or replace your laptop when you can.

You can get your laptop keyboard repaired/replaced, or you can buy a separate keyboard (like for a desktop) and use it with your laptop.

Download an Antivirus software and then scan the laptop. When the software finds the virus, click the remove button. Some of the free Antivirus programs include: Avast, AVG, Avira, Kaspersky, etc.

Go to your local PC store and find a PC case. As far as the screen, you could buy a screen cover.

Just make sure that you use the laptop in a fairly cool environment and unplug the charger when it is fully charged. You don't need to do anything else, they are made to be used for extended periods of time.

Open your laptop as far as it goes, then hold it upside down. WIpe the keyboard with a lint free cloth. Do not use it and dry overnight.

If you are talking about the outside of a computer, wipe it off with a wet-wipe or something of that nature. Don't put too much on though, as it may cause liquid to go inside the PC.

Use CC Cleaner, it is a is a popular and free cleaning software that many people use. I'd recommend de-fragmenting your hard drive, too -- I use Smart Defrag 5 for that.

Yes. There is no problem in charging a laptop when it is half or not fully charged.

Yes. The laptop should charge when it is plugged in. Charging the laptop when it is off also helps with charging speed and heat.

You can, but water doesn't usually clean screens effectively and can leave streaks. It's best to use some sort of glass-cleaning spray.

Generally no, but if an electrical surge were to happen and you are getting your power from a raw socket (no surge protector) then your motherboard would get damaged. If you're plugged into a surge protector, though, you should be fine.

No, playing video games shouldn't damage your laptop, although it might run down the battery.

If you feel like you know what you're doing, it's fine to handle most of the upkeep yourself, but if you run into any issues you're not sure about it, consult an expert. You don't want to risk breaking your computer.