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Computer problems are often inconveniences to ordinary people, but to a business or organization, such a problem can add up to tens of thousands lost to decreased productivity, let alone computer repair itself.

Malware, viruses, identity theft, and spyware account for 80 percent of all computer issues resulting in downtime, surveys have found.

Lost productivity cost due to these alone is around $50 billion, and the associated IT costs result in another $20-200 billion down the drain.

With that said, here are seven steps towards computer health - and avoiding that unnecessary Fort Lauderdale computer repair call...

1. Power Protection. Surges and power drops can cause data loss and are always damaging to sensitive components, reducing their lifespan. Fort Lauderdale computer repair experts recommend replacing all surge protection for your computer equipment every 2-3 years.

2. Security. Because of ever-present hackers and the risks they pose, it's important that all computers in your organization / home are updated with the latest security patches from Microsoft or Apple, and that firewalls are installed and maintained properly.

3. Backed Up Data. It sounds so obvious but it is very often overlooked and the consequences of lost data can put a company out of business on the spot - data retrieval is frighteningly expensive. Back up your most important documents, even if you don't think you have to.

4. Illegal Software. You don't actually own software, just the license to use it on a specific number of PC's. Many software programs automatically report their usage via the Internet, and exceeding licensing requirements can result in costly litigation.

5. Spam, Viruses, and Spyware. These issues are the cause of 80 percent or more of all issues reported to computer services. Consider good virus protection, spam filters and anti-spyware programs mandatory if you want a computer that has no (or at least far fewer) problems. Period.

6. Training. Most employees understand less than 20 percent of the software packages they use. The gain in productivity far outweighs the costs of training people - and, most likely, reduces the likelihood of security breaches or major malfunctions. Think about it.

7. Old Hardware. The likelihood of problems with any or all computer equipment goes up significantly after 24-36 months, and one major repair bill could cost more than purchasing an entire new system. The point: Consider an upgrade! You've earned it, and it could be cheaper.