Computer Preventive Maintenance

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR COMPUTER

Your computer could be your livelihood or just for entertainment, but regardless of how you use it, it requires a lot of care so that it can give you the service you want and run efficiently without giving you a headache. Preventive measures are the proactive measures you take to prevent future problems from occurring on your computer. There is something that people usually forget, cleaning their computers both for appearance sake and as a preventive measure. We are going to have a look at how you can clean your computer system.

When it comes to the cleaning of your computer, the following parts will require cleaning:- monitor, system unit, mouse, keyboard and the cables.

The monitor

Many people neglect their monitors whereas they are constantly exposed to dust and dirt. There are also those people who touch them with their oily hands leaving finger prints and other funny marks on them. To clean your monitor, turn it off and then use a dry soft cloth to wipe its screen gently. As you wipe avoid pressing hard on the monitor screen (for flat screen monitors). If need be, you can dampen the cloth with water. The monitor's plastic part can be cleaned with any multipurpose cleaner. Remember:- Do not spray the cleaner directly to your monitor as some of it can get into the inside and destroy the components. Do not open the monitor casing because in the inside we have electrical voltages that can give you a nasty shock.

The mouse

The mouse also needs cleaning. The optical mouse is much easier to clean. Using a damp clothe wipe the underside of the mouse gently until all the accumulated dirt particles is cleared. For the ball mouse, it is important to open on the underside to remove the ball. Once the ball is removed clean it with a damp cloth, after that you will have to clean the three rollers and remember to do it gently so as not to dislocated them. If there is accumulated dust/dirt, you can use a sharp pointed object like a flat screw driver or even your finger nail to scrap it before wiping. Again do not allow water to go inside your mouse.

The keyboard

For they keyboard, there is definitely some work to do. Disconnect the keyboard from your computer. Since the computer accumulates all sorts of dust particles and debris, it is good to first remove those debris. So, you will require to dust it off using a can of compressed air, vacuum cleaner hose or a computer dust blower. You will be amazed by how much dust particles will come out of it. Now get a cotton bud (ear bud), dip it in cleaning fluid and use it to clean in between the keys. After cleaning in between the keys, get your piece of cloth and wet it with the cleaner you are using. Then wipe the surface of your keyboard thoroughly to leave it clean and shiny. If however you have poured some liquids like coffee on your keyboard, you will be required to remove the screws so that you can clean the inside parts.

The system unit

Despite being a closed box, the system unit accumulates a lot of dust and debris. These dust particles if allowed to accumulate inside your computer are harmful in one way or the other.

1. The accumulated dust particles covering your components forms a thermal blanket hence causing your system to overheat. This can cause some of your components to get faulty prematurely.

2. Some of the dust particles are corrosive in nature. They can thus cause oxidation/rusting of your electronic components hence cutting the flow of data.

3. Some of these dust particles are electrically conductive, so if allowed to accumulate for a long time, they can form an unwanted path between two pins of a component and create a short circuit. This will definitely destroy your computer.

To clean your computer's system unit, you can use compressed air, vacuum cleaner or a computer duster blower. Open the cover and blow the inside thoroughly, also don't forget to clean at the back where we have the I/O ports and the Power Supply Unit fan. You will be surprised how much dust and debris will come out of your system. By the way you will require a dust mask and a dust coat to protect yourself from the dust.

The power cables

Yes, the power cables also needs some cleaning. Wipe them with a moist cloth and you will be able to remove the accumulated dust particles. Finally the computers bench and connect everything back.