Common Concerns, Laptop Care & Security Tips

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1. Always turn off your laptop before placing in the carrying case.
2. Do not drop or set anything on top of the laptop. A fall from even a few inches or dropping something on top of the laptop can cause damage to the computer.
3. Extreme temperatures will damage your laptop computer. Never leave your computer in a car since the interior of a car can be extremely hot or cold. Your computer may need to come to room temperature before it will function normally.
4. Clean your computer/display with a soft cloth with that has been dampened with water. Do not use any chemical cleaners (i.e. Windex or ammonia) or aerosol cleaners which may contain flammable substances as they might damage computer components
5. Do not scratch, twist, hit, push or user sharp objects near the display. The display is the most expensive laptop component. This type of damage is considered non-warranty damage.
6. Do not use your computer in a wet environment. Keep the laptop dry by avoiding spills. Do not place beverages near your laptop.
7. Don't eat around the laptop. Even if you don't get crumbs on your keyboard, you'll have sticky fingers and they'll spread to your keyboard, disks, monitor, printouts, etc.
8. Never turn on a wet computer. If your computer gets wet, take it to the Help Desk for service.
9. Always use the provided carrying case to carry the laptop. Place the laptop in the bag and fasten the Velcro straps. Keep the laptop cords in the bag when not in use. If cords are bent or tied in knots it will break the tiny wires inside the cord and it will not connect to the network.
10. Do not attempt to disassemble the laptop or access its internal components.
11. Be sure that nothing rests on your adapter's power cable and that the cable is not located where it can be tripped over or stepped on causing the laptop to be pulled to the floor.
12. Place the AC adapter in a ventilated area, when you use it to run the laptop or to charge the battery. Do not cover the AC adapter with papers or other items that will reduce cooling; also, do not use the AC adapter inside the carrying case.
13. Do not push objects into air vents or openings of the computer.
14. Always unplug the modem cord from the wall jack when not in use. A power surge over a phone line can destroy the modem card and could possibly damage the computer. This type of damage is considered non-warranty damage.
15. Unplug the modem and the power when a storm is approaching. Lightning can strike phone or power lines and cause damage to the computer.
16. Run your laptop plugged into electrical outlet whenever possible.
17. Avoid static electricity. Static is the enemy. It can ruin your system and your disks.
18. Avoid magnetic fields. Be careful with the TVs, speakers and phones. Both can cause problems for laptop and diskettes.
19. Make sure the laptop is insured. Some homeowner's/renter's policies cover computers. Does yours? What's covered? How much will you pay if something happens? If not, you should consider adding a rider to your policy. You are responsible for the $500 deductible for non-warranty damage.
20. Do not take the laptop out of the country (Mexico, Canada, etc.)