*~* Information on Cleaning Computer Components - The Right Way *~* Hey,Hey,Paula

After I got to thinking about cleaning out my keyboard I ran across the following information. Might be better than banging on desk to remove items with no name from the depths of your keyboard... ;)

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Cleaning your computer and your computer components helps keep them in working and good condition. Depending on the environment that your computer operates in determines how often you should clean your computer case.

If you are an end-user or business whom does not smoke in the location of the computer it is recommended you clean your computer components every five months as well as doing the standard dusting as you choose keeping it looking clean.

If you are a end-user whom smokes in the location of the computer it is recommend that you clean your computer components every three months as well as doing the standard dusting as you choose keeping it looking clean.

If you are a business which does not allow smoking in the location of the computers or is a company which manufacturers any possible airborne chemicals or produces excessive amounts of dust it is recommend that you clean your computers ever 2-3 months.

CASE CLEANING: The plastic case that houses the PC components can be cleaned with a lint free cloth that has been slightly dampened with water. For stubborn stains, add a little household detergent to the cloth. It is recommended that you never use a solvent cleaner on plastic.

CD-ROM CLEANING: To clean the CD-ROM drive we recommend purchasing a CD-ROM cleaner from your local retailer such as a local Radio Shack. Using a CD-ROM cleaner should sufficiently clean the CD-ROM laser from dust, dirt, and hair.

CD CLEANING: Cleaning CDs can be done with a CD cleaning kit however can also be done with a normal clean cotton cloth or shirt. When doing this with a clean cotton cloth or shirt, wipe against the tracks, starting from the middle of the CD and wiping towards the outer side of the CD. Never wipe with the tracks doing so may put more scratches on the CD. It is recommended when cleaning a CD that water be used. However, if the substance on a CD cannot be removed using water, pure alcohol can also be used.

FLOPPY DRIVE CLEANING

The floppy drive can be cleaned two different ways. The first method of cleaning a floppy drive and our recommended method is to purchase a kit at your local retail store designed to clean the read/write heads on your floppy drive.

The second method of cleaning the floppy drive is recommended for experienced computer users. Using a swab with a liquid such as pure alcohol, free-on, or trichoroethane and physically opening the floppy drive unit and swap the read/write heads manually with a lint-free foam swab soaked in one of the above cleaning solutions. If you decide on this method you must be extremely careful when cleaning the heads to ensure that you do not lock them out of alignment causing the floppy drive not to work at all. To help prevent the heads from becoming out of alignment use a dabbing motion lightly putting the swab on the head and removing it, do not perform a side to side motion with the swab.

HARD DRIVE CLEANING: If you have MS-DOS, Windows 3.x access the MS-DOS C:\> prompt and type del *.chk. This will delete files created by scandisk and other various utilities that take up disk space and can be deleted safely. Once chk files have been deleted ensure that all *.tmp files are deleted by typing dir *.tmp /s /p -- if files are found, locate the directories with these files and move into these directories by typing cd <name of directory>. Once in the directory type del *.tmp and get back to root by typing cd\ -- Repeat the above steps until all tmp files have been deleted. Additionally run Scandisk and Defrag.

If you have Windows 95 or above click Start / Find (or Search) / click "For files or folders". In the search Window in the first box "files and names", type *.tmp, next verify that the look in is pointed to your "C: hard drive". Click the Search or Find button to locate all files. Delete all files found, if there are several files quickly select all files by clicking Edit and clicking "Select All". Once completed, repeat the same steps, however replace *.tmp with *.chk.

KEYBOARD CLEANING: Many people clean the keyboard by turning it upside down and shaking. A more effective method is to use compressed air. Compressed air is pressurized air contained in a can with a very long nozzle. Simply aim the air between the keys and blow away all of the dust and debris that has gathered there. A vacuum cleaner can also be used, but make sure the keyboard doesn't have loose "pop off" keys that could possibly be sucked up by the vacuum.

If the keyboard has anything spilt into it not taking the proper steps can cause the keyboard to be destroyed.

The following are a few recommendations to help prevent a keyboard to become bad once a substance has been spilt within it. First turn the computer off immediately. Once the computer is turned off quickly flip the keyboard over helping to prevent the substance from penetrating circuits. While the keyboard is upside shake the keyboard on a surface you do not mind getting wet or which can be cleaned up. While still upside down use a cloth to help clean out what can be reached. Once the keyboard has been cleaned the best it can, leave the keyboard upside down for at least one night. The longer it can be left without plugged in the better.

If a keyboard does not work after having a substance spilt into it, it is recommended that it be replaced.

MONITOR CLEANING: The monitor screen can be cleaned with ordinary household glass cleaner. Be sure to remove power from the monitor and spray the cleaner onto a lint free cloth so the fluid doesn't leak into the electrical components inside the monitor. Vacuum off any dust that has settled on top of the monitor, and make sure no books or papers have been placed on the air vents. Obstructed monitor vents can cause the monitor to overheat or even catch on fire.

MOTHERBOARD CLEANING: Our recommendation when cleaning the Motherboard from dust, dirt, or hair is to use compressed air. When using compressed air hold it in the up right position or possible chemicals may come out of the container that could damage or corrode the Motherboard. Also ensure when using compressed air that you always blow the dust or dirt away from the motherboard, or out of the case.

Another good alternative to compressed air is to use a vacuum which can effectively remove the dust dirt and hair from the motherboard completely and prevent it from getting trapped within the case. When using the vacuum it is vital that you stay a couple inches away from the motherboard and all other components to help prevent contact as well as to help prevent anything from being sucked into the vacuum. Ensure that you do not remove any small components with the vacuum such as jumpers.

MOUSE CLEANING: To clean the rollers of a optical-mechanical mouse you must first remove the bottom cover of the mouse. To do this examine the bottom of the mouse to see which direction the mouse cover should be rotated. The mouse cover must be moved counter clockwise. Place two fingers on the mouse cover and push the direction of the arrows.

Once the cover has rotated about an inch rotate the mouse into its normal position covering the bottom of the mouse with one hand and the bottom should fall off including the mouse ball. If this does not occur attempt to shake the mouse gently.

Once the bottom cover and the ball are removed you should be able to see three rollers located within the mouse. Use your finger and/or finger nail and move in a horizontal direction of the rollers. Usually there will be a small line of hair and or dirt in the middle of the roller, remove this dirt and or hair as much as possible.

Once you have removed as much dirt and hair as possible place the ball back within the mouse and place the cover back on.

If the mouse still appears to be having the same issue repeat the above process, if after several attempts the mouse is still having the same issue it could be a possibility your mouse may have a hardware issue at which time it would be recommended to replace your mouse.

More in depth information: http://www.computerhope.com/cleaning.htm

Boy, do I feel guilty! Poor Baby! :(

Show all stories by   Author:  53961 ( Click here )