? 
++
Back up any
important data on disk. Your C drive is not indestructable.
++
Keep an extra
power supply around, you never know when yours will blow.
++
If you're on
a budget, use the 'draft' option when printing long documents, it uses
about 1/3 the toner you'd normally use and doesn't look too bad.
++
Don't skimp
on parts. You get what you pay for.
++
Restart once
a week, whether you think you need it or not.
++
Take some time to get to know your computer.
Seriously, it's amazing how many people are impressed by the most basic
computer knowledge. If you know enough and it is known that you are a
"computer geek," people will offer you money to build computers for them
or solve
their computer problems; a very easy way to make a quick buck.
++
Blow the dust
out of your computer. This has magically fixed many overheating problems,
and prolongs the life of almost all your computer
compnents. This goes double if you're a smoker, as the tar in cigarette
smoke will coat PCBs and the components on them and cause lots of overheating
and damage over time.
++
Back up all of your important files onto
something external (CDR/RW, DVDR/RW, or external hard drive; not a floppy)
fairly often. These things are dirt cheap, and hard drives fail a lot.
This leads to a more general statement: Never keep important data in only
one place. This applies logically: keep multiple copies on multiple media
-- and spatially: keep some copies in a place other than your room. Scale
this up depending on how important the data is -- for example, you may
want to keep invaluable, mission-critical data on magneto-optical media
and put one in a safe deposit box, one in your parents' house, and one
with your uncle in New York. But MP3s are probably safe on recordable
CDs or DVDs in a rack next to your computer.
++
Wet a cotton
swab with rubbing alcohol and clean your game cartridge with it. Works
much better than the "blow hard while moving game
up and down" method.
++
Go into a Wal-Mart.
Find the lightbulbs. See that Great Value bulb? See that GE bulb? Both
of those bulbs were made by GE. Probably in the same plant. Lots of store
brand stuff is like this. Over-the-counter pharmacy stuff especially.
++
Make sure your
speakers are magnetically shielded or keep them way far away from your
computer and monitor.
++
Don't open up
a tv and play with it. The capacitor has a deadly charge for a while,
even after it is unplugged.
++
When shopping
for new computer hardware, if the sales guy says "buy basically any brand
but the one in your hand," take his advice.
++
When shopping
for new computer hardware, if the sales guy says "buy this brand, it's
the best," keep looking around.
++
Flatten and reinstall Windows once or twice
a year. If you have a separate partition or drive, you won't have to worry
about losing that 40GB of completely legal MP3 files, and your system
will be squeaky-clean and error free.
++
Write your Windows
CD Key on an address label and stick it to the inside of your case. You
know, just in case (HAR HAR).
Computer buying advice
++
If you have to skimp on something to save
some money, skimp on the CPU. Stepping back a few speeds from the top
will save you a fortune
(often 50-80% of the CPU price), and you probably will never notice the
difference. The CPU is probably the least important component these days
for general usage. (Within reason - obviously you won't want to run Windows
XP on a Pentium 100.) Need high performance? Get as much RAM as you can
afford, up to 512MB or 1GB.
++
Never skimp on the monitor. The monitor is
the single most important component. You stare at it constantly when you're
using your computer, so get one that will fit the amount of space you
have, provide you with enough space to work with all of your programs
comfortably,
and run your intended resolution at or above 85 Hz refresh rate. Lower
than that and you're causing eyestrain.
++
Get a good-quality, comfortable keyboard
and mouse. Again, you'll be touching these things a lot, so you might
as well spend the extra money (from the CPU reduction ) to get nice ones
that fit your hands and your computing style.
++
Laser printers cost more up front, but they'll
save you a bundle over their lifespans. Toner is many, many, many times
cheaper than ink.
++
High-end computer speakers are a waste of
money. If space isn't extremely restricted, the best computer speakers
are regular stereo speakers hooked up to a regular stereo or receiver.
You can connect your computer to the unit's RCA inputs with a $3 cable
from Radio Shack. Even if you don't have a stereo to use for this, buying
one is a lot cheaper than buying high-end computer speakers, which can
run $200-300.
++
When you're thinking about buying a component
upgrade, like a new CPU, give it the following test:
If
someone came into my place when I wasn't here and swapped the new one
out with the one I have now, but everything looked the same,
how long would it take me to notice? If it's
longer than a couple of days, it's probably not worth it.
++
Similarly, ask yourself the following question,
especially when deciding between a high-end part and a regular part:
++
This will give me a X% increase in whatever,
Y% of the time. Is X% for Y% of the time worth the $P cost? Actually,
apply that to everything you buy, not just computers.
++
Never buy high-end cables, and never buy
cables at retail. Cables have higher profit margins than almost everything
except extended
warranties. Despite what the marketing and sales people will tell you,
there is no difference. It's been scientifically proven many
times. It's all placebo. Hooking up some speakers? Get lamp cord at a
hardware store by the foot from the big reels. Need a computer
cable? Order it from a wholesaler online such as Newegg. That USB cable
that your printer requires will cost you $25 at Staples and
$1.50 at Newegg.