Computer hardware maintenance refers to the repair and maintenance of the physical components of the computer and the peripherals of the computer, including fans, hard drives, keyboards, and printers. It differs from software-related maintenance, which handles programs running on a computer, including removing malware, installing new software, and updating programs for users, although some people are skilled at both.
What is a computer hardware service?
Ideally, a computer will work for years without physical maintenance, but not always. Moving components such as hard drives, printers, and cooling fans can break down over time, just like any mechanical part, and when they break down, they will need to be repaired or replaced. Batteries on laptops and tablets don’t last forever and need to be replaced over time when they stop charging.
Other parts of the computer may also fail, including microchips such as central processors, graphics cards, or memory chips. Monitors and monitors can deteriorate over time, and any part of a computer can be physically damaged by accident or vandalism, requiring repair or replacement.
Like anything else in the home or office, computers can also get dirty or dusty. Keyboards, mice, and printers can be dusty or irritable, which can often be removed with a cotton swab or a canned compressed air tank. Damage caused by spilled fluids can be harder to repair, although experts often know how to salvage machines damaged by liquids as much as possible. In general, hardware maintenance is often assigned to the best professionals, although aspiring users can upgrade components in many computers including hard drives, memory, and more.
Smartphones may also require maintenance, especially to repair broken screens and other physical damage. Some businesses that provide services for computers and phones need physical hardware services, including repairs and maintenance.
How hardware and software intersect
Often, it’s hard to perform hardware maintenance on a computer without knowing something about its software and vice versa. Program errors can be caused by faulty hardware and malware or a bug that can cause the computer to overheat, run out of battery, or operate in other ways that are difficult to distinguish from a hardware failure.
Often, computer maintenance involves both hardware and software. Technicians will test the computer for viruses and malware, upgrade old components, update software that doesn’t automatically update, and answer any user questions about machine operation.