Basic Computer Care

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

Basic maintainence of your computer and it's equipment is very important, and it saves you money! Here are a few basic care tips that will help keep your equpiment in working order.

Don't let dust build up

Periodically (3-6 months) remove the outside case from your computer. Most computers have a latch or screw that holds the left side of the case together. After removing the screw or moving the latch, the side wall of the computer should slide backward off of the case. This is easiest to do if you lay the computer down on it's side, left side facing up. After removing the side, take a can of compressed air and blow out any dust. When cleaning out the dust from a fan, make sure and hold the fan still by placing a screwdriver into the fins. Make sure to pay attention to the processor fan and heatsink. You will see a large piece of metal with a fan mounted on top, this is the heatsink. Dust is attracted to the fins, and this is the first place dust usually accumulates. After giving everything a cleaning, place the side of the computer back on and re-tighten any screws. This will keep your computer running cool and smooth.

Clean the keyboard

The best way to clean a keyboard is to flip it over and shake out any food or other materials that have fallen between the keys. To clean the surface, dampen a soft rag with rubbing alchohol and wipe everything down. Make sure and have the computer cleaned off before cleaning, and if any rubbing alcohol accidently gets under the keys just give it an hour to evaporate before turning your computer back on.

Clean the mouse

If you have an older style mouse with a mouseball, you will often notice that it will become harder and harder to accurately move the mouse on screen. The reason this happens is that dirt and oils from your hand build up on the rollers that are used to read the movements. To clean this style mouse, flip the mouse over and rotate the piece holding the ball in. It will rotate and then slide off the mouse. Put the (piece?) and the mouseball to the side, and inspect the three rollers inside. Usually there will be a layer of dirt on each roller. To remove the dirt, use a small flat bladed screwdriver to scrape the dirt off. Make sure and not push to hard to the point where you put a scratches into the rollers, that will also cause it to not move smoothly. After cleaning all three rollers, wipe the mouse ball down with a soft rag and put the mouse back together.

With optical mice, you can still have problems with tracking because of dirt, in this case, the dirt builds up on the rubbery surfaces that move over the mousepad. To clean any dirt off, you can use a soft rag with a little bit of rubbing alcohol to wipe off any dirt and oil that has accumulated on the surfaces.

Clean your monitor

The best option for cleaning a dirty monitor depends on if it is a CRT style monitor or LCD monitor. A CRT monitor is the old style monitor, usually quite large, while the LCD is the flat panel style.

To clean a CRT monitor, it is usually best to pick up a cleaner made for monitors, and to use a soft rag to wipe away any dirt. A slightly damp rag with water can also be used, but make sure to completely dry the surface of the screen off.

To clean an LCD style monitor, most companies recommend a soft rag with just a little bit of water on it. The key here is to gently run the rag over the monitor, if you push too hard you can damage the display. Fold the cloth over and make sure to dry all the moisture off the screen.

*Dislaimer* We offer these tips as simply a guide and we cannot be held liable for their misuse. If you are unsure of what you are doing, contact a professional.