Gateway E-1600, System Manual

Page: 56 / 108

48
Managing Your Computer
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Check the energy absorption (dissipation) rating. The higher the energy
absorption rating, the better the protection for your computer.
■
Check for line-conditioner capabilities. A line conditioner smooths out
some of the normal line noise (small voltage fluctuations) of an electrical
supply.
Line conditioners
A line conditioner protects your computer from the small fluctuations in
voltage from an electrical supply. Most computers can handle this variation,
called line noise, without problems. However, some electrical sources include
more line noise than normal. Line noise can also be a problem if your
computer is located near, or shares a circuit with, a device that causes
electromagnetic interference, such as a television or a motor.
Some surge suppressors and uninterruptible power supplies include simple
line-conditioning capabilities.
Uninterruptible power supplies
Use a standby uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to protect your computer
from data loss during a total power failure. A UPS uses a battery to keep your
computer running temporarily during a power failure and lets you save your
work and shut down your computer. You cannot run your computer for an
extended period of time while using only the UPS.
Maintaining and managing your
hard drive
Regular maintenance keeps your hard drive operating efficiently. Good file
management keeps your computer free of unwanted files while making
important files secure and easier to find.
8506999.book Page 48 Friday, December 15, 2000 8:22 AM