MICROCOMPUTER MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
Caring for the health of your fire department’s microcomputer is similar to providing for the health of fire department employees. A good insurance plan, safe operating practices and the availability of treatment are all essential elements.
An employee’s health insurance usually begins the day he or she is appointed. Money is set aside to cover the potential for sickness or injury. A microcomputer’s insurance policy is called a “maintenance contract.” Like a good insurance policy the maintenance contract provides the necessary help should something go wrong.
The decision to choose a maintenance contract is genera’ly made at the time of purchase. In effect, the contract extends a microcomputer’s guarantee for the payment of a fee. In general the fee is based on a percentage of the purchase price. Annual maintenance contracts range from 8 to 15 percent of the total purchase price. If anything goes wrong during that period, you can bring your microcomputer to the service center for prompt, cost-free repair. Higher-priced maintenance contracts will provide in-house servicing and assure service help within hours. You should choose a contract that fits your needs and budget.
Safe operating practices are as important for a microcomputer as they are for your employees. Microcomputers should not be subjected to smoke, exhaust fumes, moisture, or temperature extremes. For these reasons, it is often a poor idea to locate a microcomputer near the apparatus floor. Wherever located, cigarettes and coffee should be kept away; the latter can cause an expensive spill. When not in use, the microcomputer should be kept covered by a transparent or translucent, pliable plastic cover. The cover should form-fit the computer to repel dirt and moisture that can insulate contacts on the computer’s keyboard. The transparent cover will allow personnel to observe power lights if the micro has accidentally been left on.
Just as pulse rates and blood pressure checks can spot medical problems, a good diagnostic disk can warn an operator of potential problems. A diagnostic disk is a specialized item of software. It will report the health of the microcomputer’s RAMs and ROMs as well as the accuracy of disk drive speed. Early detection can prevent the loss of a day’s data.
Not all computer “breakdowns” indicate a need to take the unit in for repairs. The powerful and versatile computer will sit and wait for the proper instructions, and sometimes the problem is with the operator’s instructions. The poem below, seen on a computer room wall, communicates the frustration occasionally felt when computers can’t quite read the human mind.
I hate this damn machine;
I wish that they would sell it.
It never does quite what I want,
But only what I tell it.
It’s a good idea to clean a disk drive’s read/write head periodically. Special cleaning disks are available and easy to use. Since cleaning requirements vary widely from drive to drive, it’s a good idea to check your owner’s manual for recommended cleaning intervals.
The final aspect of microcomputer maintenance is local support. If a staff car develops engine trouble you wouldn’t want to return it to Detroit. Similarly, a microcomputer should be able to be serviced locally. Look for a good, serviceoriented dealer before a problem occurs. While most repair problems generally occur within the 90-day warranty period, don’t assume your computer is indestructible. Disk drives and printers are especially vulnerable. As mechanical items, they are subject to mechanical problems.
But a little attention to maintenance now or when you buy a microcomputer will help prevent or minimize downtimes and that is important for all fire service equipment.
