Clean Your Computer

When I go to clean a computer, I usually think of cleaning the insides.  I run a virus scanner, scan for malware, etc.  But as I was surfing around, I saw a link for cleaning the outsides  I'm going to repeat the information here, adding my own thoughts but they site had a video on it that had great pictures.  it went into more detail than some of you might feel comfortable with, but if you get courageous, it's really not too hard.

The first section of this article mentioned why you should clean your computer.  Well it's really more important than you think.  Besides the obvious reason that it makes it look better and cleans off any germs, especially important if you use a computer that someone else uses, it can protect your computer from some serious injury.  It is VERY IMPORTANT that you TURN YOUR COMPUTER OFF before you do this

•   Cleaning the keyboard will keep it working smoothly.  Have you ever been on a computer and have one of the key's stick, or have to hit it extra hard to get it to work?  If there are crumbs under the keys, that will happen.  If at some time you end up having to take a key off, some have a tiny latex like cup underneath.  It is a bear to get back in just right and very easy to loose.  This can be avoided if you clean your keyboard often.  All you have to do, is turn that puppy up side down and give it a gentle shake.  The article suggests doing it over a trash can, I prefer to do it on my desk.  Then you can see all the crumbs that come out.  turn it right side up and then do it again.  After you do that a time or two, blow between the keys with a can of compressed air.  Use small puffs.  If you spray for a long time that can will get really cold!!.  Finally wipe it down with an antibacterial wipe.
   
• Cleaning the mouse is easier since most newer ones are optical.  Just give it a wipe with that same wipe.  If you still have a ball on your mouse, you have to unscrew the ring on the bottom, turn the mouse back over to drop the ball out and give the ball a wipe too.  If your mouse has been acting erratically chances are there will be dust and fuzz on the wheels and rods inside.  I use my finger nail to gently scrap it off.  Flip the mouse over and the dust falls out.  You can GENTLY blow some air in there too.  Then put it all back together.
   
• Cleaning the monitor depends on the type of monitor you have. Never ever ever spray anything on your monitor. you can short it out really badly if the fluid makes it's way inside.
  • if you have the older type CRT monitors you can spray some windex on a cloth to wipe off the dust and hand prints, give it a good swipe on the outside too.
  • If you have a flat screen, DON'T use any cleaners. It will never look the same again.  Use a slightly damp (with water) lint free cloth.  The micro fiber ones are great.  Just don't tell anyone, I use my daughters skirt. Jk
• This last step is the scary part. You have to open up your computer case.  The older ones were really hard. All the tiny screws and then prying off the outside case, usually bent things and ended up with missing screws.  Today's newer models are easier.  If you want to do this and don't know how to open your computer, your manual might tell you, or you can usually find the answer on line.  Carefully open your computer and ground yourself by touching the metal part of the case.  Better yet just don't touch anything inside.  You will probably see loads of dust everywhere,  Use that can of air to blow the dust out and to blow the dust off the fan.  try to blow the dust out wards.  Sometimes it helps to have someone else hold the computer tilted downwards to force the dust out, but it is not necessary, so don't try it yourself.  Again use short bursts of the spray.  DON'T USE A VACUUM.  I know they make these cute little kits with tiny vacuum tools in them.  They are made for people who don't know any better.  The vacuum isn't strong enough to do any good on the keyboard, (which is what it is made for) and the manufactures don't expect the inexperience user to know that the machine actually opens, much less know how and why to go there.
  You can prevent some of this dust by keeping your CPU off the floor, but some time that's just not possible.  If the dust is left to accumulate too much, it can short out the motherboard.  That's the board that holds all the circuits that make the computer work
   
• the last section talks about replacing the ribbon cables with smaller ones.  All I can say is, I'm not going to do that.  I keep my computer on day and night, and I do some really  weird things with it.  The only heat related problems I've had were from either a faulty mother board or a bad power supply.  Dell said it was the mother board and after they replaced it four times I got a bigger better computer from them.  My geek friends online said it was probably the power supply, but hey, who am I to say, it's way out of my league  and you thought I knew everything.  NOT

 

OK here's the link to the article on CNET.  It's a great site, I've taken classes there and gotten several certifications there  check it out

If you forget where you heard of this article [shudder]  I snipped it for you. http://snipurl.com/cleanpc.

What  You don't know what a snipped url is?  well I guess that means I'll have to write another page soon.

 

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