Spare Parts

Here are a few items you should have access to.

Ethernet Cables – Not all public places offer wireless access.  Having an Ethernet cable insures you can get a network connection.  Also, having a wired connection makes your surfing, and doing downloads run much faster than wireless.  If you are in an office, then your connection is probably more secure depending on how your network is configured.  You should get a couple of Ethernet cables – one short cable (about 6 feet) to use near your router and a larger one (10 feet or longer) to run across the office floor into the server room.

External DVD Player – Purchase a player that runs the power off the USB port.   They are inexpensive and are very convenient and don’t take up much storage room.  These are especially good for people who have laptops that don’t have an internal drive.  Plus, if your PC does have an internal drive and it breaks down then you have a spare to use until you get a replacement.

Keyboard & Mouse – Always have a spare keyboard and mouse handy.  Wired keyboards and mice can be a real lifesaver if one or both items break down.  A wireless keyboard and mouse come standard when purchasing a new computer and they can be inconsistent from time to time plus they run on batteries and they can fail at any time.  Having a wired keyboard and mouse on hand will help you keep productive until you can get a replacement.  You may have to contact the computer manufacturer to get the proper ones that are configured for your computer.

Monitor – An extra monitor is good for obvious reasons if you own a desktop computer.  If you have a laptop with a broken LCD screen you can use the spare and avoid costly repairs.

Cables – Having extra cables is also a good practice.  The primary cables to have on hand are a monitor cable (VGA or HDMI) and USB cables.  Monitor cables provide extra insurance if one of the pins break or gets bent.   USB cables are just as important.  Almost every printer, digital camera, smartphone, etc., runs on a USB cable.  There are different connectors on USB cables so I try to keep at least one of each of them on hand.  I would also look into getting a retractable cable for your smartphone since they are portable and ideal for traveling.

– A USB hub can come in handy if one of your USB ports go bad or you require more ports.  You can use the extra ports for external devices or anything else that has a USB connection.  Some hubs come with power cords and can be a real mess to work with but it’s always good to have a backup plan.

If you would like to learn more on this topic or would like to request an area of technology you are interested in, send me an email.