Surge Protectors
If you're running a computer that's plugged into the wall of your home or office, you're begging for trouble. A surge or a dip in the electrical supply can damage your hardware or crash your software (or both). Get a surge protector and plug all your components into that surge protector. I admit they don't provide perfect protection. But the meager amount you invest in surge protection could save hundreds of dollars in lost data or productivity.
Power Supplies
Do you have a machine, such as your network server, that absolutely cannot go down, ever, unless you're taking it down for a specific purpose? You need a UPS. Not the package carrier, but an uninterruptible power supply. The theory goes like this. You connect your computer to the UPS. If the normal power supply fails, the battery-powered UPS takes over. The UPS is supposed to keep your machine running long enough for you to restore normal power. The cost for a UPS can vary, depending on how much power you need to keep available and the length of time you want the backup power source to last.
Hardware Hygiene
Get a can of compressed air and use it to periodically blow the dust out of your keyboard, off the top and sides of your monitor, and off the back of your CPU. If you need to remove the cover for some reason, blow the dust off the motherboard.
Don't set your computer up next to a window. Windows get opened, and dust and rain can come in and ruin your computer! In addition, don't forget to clean your mouse. Dust and oil can accumulate on your mouse pad and on the mouse's rolling mechanism. If you notice a sluggish mouse or have difficulty selecting a range or a block of text, you may need to perform some routine maintenance on the mouse.
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