PC Tips Tweaks and Maintenance

Cleaning a PC is a necessary and simple process and should be done at least every three months.

NOTE: Before starting any physical cleaning procedures remove all power cables from your PC. Disconnect all cables from peripheral devices. Of course you will want to put them all back later so labeling them before removing them is a very good idea

Do NOT spray anything directly onto the case. Instead, moisten a lint-free towel with isopropyl alcohol (some will tell you Windex and other things are ok, I prefer to only use isopropyl alcohol when cleaning PC’s just in case it gets on something it should not), and wipe down the front and sides of the case, taking care to avoid moving parts such as CD/DVD ROM drawers, Floppy drive doors, etc.

NOTE: Before opening your PC make sure you are properly grounded. You should be able to purchase a wrist grounding strap for around $5.00.

To determine if your PC needs internal cleaning, look at the back of your PC; you should see a grated hole covering a fan. If this is clogged with dust, dirt, hair etc, your PC needs internal cleaning.

Buildup of dust and dirt inside your case can hinder system performance and even kill your PC. Fans and heat sinks are very prone to getting clogged with dust causing fans to slow or stop and air can’t pass through and keep things cool resulting in overheating and burn out.

Attention smokers: smoke makes dust sticky; which makes the PC more susceptible to soft shorts. Smoke also seems to accelerate the aging process of certain parts and definitely gums up your moving parts faster.

NOTE: DO NOT SPRAY COMPRESSED AIR INTO YOUR PC

You always want to blow dust and grime OUT of your PC. If you blow dust into the case, there is more dust piling up on your expensive internal components. Internal dust and other grime (hair, tobacco tar, etc) can cause overheating and eventually will lead to component failure.

Use caution when using compressed air, as air pressure applied to certain areas of the PC can cause damage. For example, forced air applied to a free-spinning fan can damage the fan bearings, causing it to slow or stop spinning. When cleaning a fan with compressed air, block the blades with a small screwdriver or similar object while cleaning to keep it still.

Holding a vacuum just outside the PC (do NOT use a vacuum inside or on your PC) while using compressed air to blow the dust out will cut down on your clean up.

Once you have the dust removed take a paper towel or a clean coffee filter and wipe down the inside of the case. Only the case should be wiped down and nowhere else. Do NOT wipe down any internal components.

Now your PC is Clean, you Need to Know How to Prevent Dust:

You can not stop dust from entering your PC. However you can minimize the amount getting in.

First, keep your case elevated. Cases sitting on floors, especially on rugs or carpeting suck in more dust.

Second, keep your pets away from your PC. If you have a cat or a dog you will get hair in the system, so try to limit it by keeping the pets away

Third, keep the area around your PC clear of clutter and wipe away dust regularly.

Fourth, do not smoke around your computer, it will shorten your PC’s life and your own for that matter.

If you are purchasing a new computer ask for a case with reusable filters. If you have an older PC buy filters that you can place over the front vents. They don’t catch all the dust but they do a good job of keeping a lot out. Most filters are washable and can be reused.

Cleaning the Monitor

Turn the monitor off and remove the power cord before cleaning. Do NOT spray cleaners directly onto the monitor. If liquid enters the vents in the monitor it will get on the internal monitor components and can cause damage. Spray the cleaner on to a towel then wipe down the monitor.

Cleaning the Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner

As with all the procedures above, make sure the PC and device you are cleaning are turned off while cleaning. The keyboard should be cleaned like the monitor and case exterior – spray cleaner onto a towel and wipe it down, do NOT spray cleaner directly on the components. An additional step prior to wiping is to use a small nylon brush and loosen the dirt between the keys then turn the keyboard over and gently shake it to let loose dirt drop out or use a proper gentle PC vacuum.

A mouse may need to be internally cleaned if performance is spotty or erratic. Turn the mouse over and look at the bottom. You should see small pads you can clean with q-tips and isopropyl alcohol. If dirt has accumulated around the light, gently remove it and clean with q-tips and rubbing alcohol. If you have an older mouse with an internal ball, dust and other materials will accumulate on the rollers or the ball itself. The ball is usually held in with a removable plate. Once the ball has been removed, blow out any foreign material and inspect the rollers. If they have dirt accumulated on them it can be removed using tweezers for large accumulation and a q-tip and isopropyl alcohol for the smaller particles. Be careful to only touch the rollers lightly and use the rubbing alcohol sparingly. The ball should be cleaned with a lint-free towel and rubbing alcohol. Do NOT use any cleaner with abrasives for any PC component cleaning. Reassemble the mouse and it should return to normal operation.

Scanners should have the glass surface cleaned occasionally - perform a visual check when you are using the scanner. Foreign objects, dust and other contaminants can be detrimental to your image quality. Smudges from fingertips, specks of white-out, traces of printer or pen ink from scanned originals can all cause imperfections in your scans. Clean the glass surface with a lint-free towel and glass cleaner, and the exterior with isopropyl alcohol.