I'm always paranoid about using computers for anything critical in a live show. Computers are the least reliable things we own and sooner or later everybody has computer problems and it's usually not a quick-fix. If the show can go on without the computer, no big deal.
Otherwise you should have a back-up all configured and ready to drop-in. ...Most guitar players carry spare strings and a spare cord (and sometimes spare guitars). Aside from the cords & strings a guitar and amp will usually last for many years with no show-stopping problems.
It's also helpful if the computer (and back-up) is dedicated and not messed-with during the day. (Most computer reliability issues are related to something being changed or other "user error".)
P.S.
It's the same with live recording. If it's a critical one-time event with no chance of "take two", you should have two systems recording in parallel. And with computer recording, you usually don't know there's been a problem 'till the next day.
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