A Clean PC is a Happy PC

Published on Friday, August 08, 2008

A Clean PC is a Happy PC

by Chris Aghjayan, IT Sales and Service Associate for SMH Electronics

Did you know that the majority of computer problems are caused by poor housekeeping practices? The same fans which keep your computer cool also draws in dust, smoke, pet hair and Cheetos dust. When dust settles on components in your computer case it is like adding a blanket in winter. The dust acts as insulation causing delicate electronic components to heat up. Heat is the great killer of all things electronic. To prevent damage to your computer you should consider cleaning it every 5 or 6 months, sooner if the environment is excessively dusty or dirty.

If you are comfortable around computers, and are familiar with the cables and connections, it is a relatively simple task. If not, have a professional provide cleaning as part of a regularly scheduled checkup. While they are there they can update your operating system, install patches, and update your anti-virus software, all the things you have been meaning to do but didn’t have the time.

Here are some tips for the do-it-yourselfer:

• Very Important! TURN OFF THE COMPUTER! Don’t expose yourself to potential electric shock or damage to internal components. Be sure to unplug the power cord, even if you turn off the switch the computer is still getting power.

• Unplug your keyboard (good time to shake out the crumbs!) and mouse (give it a cleaning too!). Unplug all other cables (label them for easy re-installation). Pull the computer out of its home under your desk and remove the side panel or cover to expose the chassis. You will see the motherboard, wires connecting the different components, a power supply and the different drives (hard drive, floppy drive and optical drives)

• Using a vacuum with either a crevice tool or dust brush attachment, gently suction the dust from the inside of the case, make sure you give special attention to the power supply, heat sinks and cooling fans (Note: make sure to keep the fans from spinning by holding the vanes or placing a stop between the blade and the housing – a spinning blade can cause back-voltage). Try not to touch processor chips, memory sticks or other motherboard components to reduce the risk of ESD (Electro Static Discharge) – a killer of components. You can also wear an ESD wrist strap which will ground any possible static.

• Never spray window cleaner or any other cleaning products such as Formula 409 inside the case or any of the components. Most cleaning products contain up to 90% water. Try using isopropyl or denatured alcohol which dries quickly without leaving any residue. Spray any cleaner into a clean, dry lint-free cloth and wipe. This method can be used to clean the outer case and mouse.

• Cotton or foam swabs can be moistened and used to clean cruddy keyboards and are great for freeing up sticky CD trays. Also use them to remove dust from breather holes and vents.

• Give your mouse a bath. Oils from your hand along with dust and dirt can stick to your mouse. Clean the outside using a lint-free cloth and swabs moistened with alcohol. For a ball mouse, rotate the circular disk holding in the rubber track ball in place. Remove the ball and give it a good cleaning. Observe the rotating bars or wheels which spin when the ball is in place, those typically have a ring of hardened gunk around them which must be removed. Tweezers will usually help to pull any matter away from the ball cage. For an optical mouse, take care to avoid cleaning the laser eye.

• You can use similar methods to clean the keyboard. Shake the keyboard over a waste bin to dislodge crumbs and dust. A can of compressed air will help get stubborn crud from beneath the keys. Clean the keyboard with a lint-free cloth moistened with alcohol to get oil and dirt off the keys. Use a Sharpie or permanent marker to mark any keys missing their labels.

• Great care should be taken when cleaning the monitor. Make sure it is off and unplugged. Using a pre-moistened wipe or spray cleaner specifically designed for monitors is recommended. For CRT’s (older, larger glass screens), spray the cleaner directly onto a lint-free cloth and wipe down the screen area first and the surround and case second. This will avoid wiping the screen with a dirty cloth. For LCD monitors (thin soft screen), read the use and care manual supplied by the manufacturer. Many of them do not recommend using any cleaning products on their screens.

• Finally, avoid eating, drinking or smoking around your computer. It will make your computer last longer and you should get up and stretch once and a while, it will do you some good. Don’t forget to set a reminder to do this all again in six months and remember, a clean PC is a happy PC!

If all of this seems a bit too much to handle call in the experts. At SMH Electronics, we specialize in fixing dirty computers, cranky printers and uncooperative monitors.

To speak to a friendly representative, call us TOLL-FREE at 866-661-4SMH (4764) or send us an email at Fixit1st@smhelectronics.com