Cleaning Your Computer

One of the most overlooked computer maintenance tasks is that of cleaning the computer components and peripherals. While this may seem like a task that is largely cosmetic in nature, in fact failing to keep our computer systems clean can cause devices to operate erratically or to fail completely.

Dust and dirt can cause drives to fail, keyboards to operate unreliably, and sensitive integrated circuit (IC) chips to overheat and burn out. Moreover, using dirty keyboards and mice in a shared computer environment such as a home, school, or office, can spread germs between users. Cleaning your system regularly will save you money, keep you healthier, and add years to the life of your PC.

The cathode ray tube (CRT)-based computer monitor tends to attract a lot of dust due to the strong electromagnetic field that surrounds it. As a result, the monitor screen and housing can become quite dirty.

Within the computer case itself, there are fans which serve to keep the internal components of the computer cool by drawing air inside the case and across the components. However, that cooling air also may contain dust, pet hair, particles of smoke, and carpet fibers. When these particles settle on the internal components, they act as an insulating layer, causing the components to overheat, operate erratically, and eventually fail completely.

The keyboard and mouse are particularly susceptible to the ‘fallout’ of our snacking habits. Without regular cleaning and sanitization, they function erratically, and provide a fertile environment for spreading germs from user to user.

How often should you clean your computer? It really depends on the environment: the air quality, the number of regular users, and so forth. As a rule, clean your computer every six months or so – if you notice a lot of built-up dirt and grime, schedule your cleaning more frequently.

In this section we’ll cover the steps you should take to keep your PC in tip-top physical condition. Let’s start with the supplies you’ll need, and a few safety precautions, then we’ll move on to specific cleaning procedures.

Since you’ll have to open the case, you’ll need your ESD wrist strap, and for most cases, a Phillips screwdriver to remove the case cover.

SUPPLIES:

PRECAUTIONS:

PREPARATION:

Power down the computer and disconnect all plugs and cables from the case. Place the computer case on a clean, non-carpeted surface. When you’re cleaning the inside of the computer, wear an anti-static wrist strap. Use only mild household cleaners or water to clean the surfaces of the monitor and case. Check your monitor documentation for any special manufacturer instructions on cleaning your CRT or LCD monitor.

CLEANING OUTSIDE THE CASE:

First use the vacuum cleaner to clean any areas of accumulated dirt and dust from the case cover. In particular, check the fan on the back of the computer. As this fan draws air in to cool the internal components, it also draws in any impurities that are in the air – dust, pet hair, etc. A lot of the dirt will be drawn right into the computer itself, but much of it will also accumulate on the fan.

If the fan becomes covered with dirt and dust, air flow will be restricted and overheating problems and/or component failure can result. Use your vacuum to clean all of the outside air vents and crevices of the computer. You can use a regular electric vacuum cleaner on the outside of the case if you wish, but never on the inside.

Once the loose dust has been vacuumed, use a mild cleaner and soft cloth to clean any remaining grime, dirt, or stains from the case cover. Then remove the cover, and set it aside.

CLEANING INSIDE THE CASE:

First, be sure to take ESD precautions when cleaning inside the case. For this task, it is often recommended to use compressed air rather than a vacuum cleaner. If you do use a vacuum cleaner, be careful to keep the nozzle a couple of inches away from the components on the motherboard so as not to accidentally suck anything (such as jumpers) into the vacuum cleaner.

If you use compressed air, wear a mask and be careful not to breathe in the dust particles as they are expelled from the case.

Clean the power supply (but never disassemble it), especially in and around the air flow slots. The power supply, ribbon cables, and motherboard components are all likely to collect dust and grime. Be sure to clean any fans and heat sinks, as the fan blades and heat sink fins tend to collect a lot of dust and hair.

CLEANING THE CRT MONITOR:

A word of caution: NEVER attempt to disassemble the monitor. The high voltages inside (even when the monitor is turned off) can kill you. Make sure power to the monitor is disconnected.

Due to its strong electromagnetic field, the CRT (cathode ray tube) monitor attracts a lot of dust. First, vacuum the dust that has settled on top of the monitor case, particularly around the air vents. In this case, it’s better to use a vacuum rather than compressed air, as you don’t want to blow dust into the monitor housing.

Any remaining grime on the monitor housing can be removed with a little cleaning solution on a cloth. Be sure to spray the solution onto the cloth first, not directly onto the monitor. The glass screen can be cleaned with ordinary glass cleaner (if there is no anti-glare protective coating), or with a soft cloth dampened with water.

CLEANING THE LCD MONITOR:

To clean the screen of the flat-screen, or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, use a 50-50 solution of distilled water and alcohol in a spray bottle (spray the cloth, not the screen). Apply only light pressure to the screen as you clean, as the display can be easily scratched or damaged.

CLEANING THE KEYBOARD:

The computer keyboard may need more frequent cleaning than the rest of the system, as it becomes soiled with dust, hair, and food crumbs. Disconnect the keyboard from the computer (make sure your system is turned off first), turn the keyboard upside down, and shake out the loose debris. Then use compressed air to clean it more thoroughly, aiming between the keys.

If you use a portable vacuum for this step, make sure there are no loose keys that can pop off and be sucked into the vacuum.

In the event that you spill some liquid onto the keyboard, act quickly to power down the computer and disconnect the keyboard. Shake out as much liquid as you can, and use a cloth to clean out what you can reach. Leave the keyboard upside down and let it dry for at least a full day.

A keyboard can be destroyed when liquid is spilled into it and makes contact with the circuit board inside. Soda and other sugary drinks can also cause the keys to stick; in this event, the best course of action is to buy a new keyboard.

You can protect your keyboard from dust, crumbs, and spills by purchasing a keyboard ‘skin’. With the manufacturer name and model of your keyboard, you can order a skin that is designed to fit snuggly right over the keyboard and individual keys. These are readily available online.

Because keyboards are often used in shared environments, such as schools and offices, they should be disinfected to prevent the spread of germs. Spray some alcohol on a cloth and clean the keyboard thoroughly. Use a cotton or foam tipped swab dipped lightly in alcohol to clean between the keys.

CLEANING THE MOUSE:

There are several different types of mice, but the most commonly used are the mechanical mouse and the wireless RF (radio frequency) mouse. The wireless RF mouse (as well as optical mice) have no moving parts, and are sealed so that dust can’t get inside. However, the recessed areas on the bottom where the transmitter is located can become clogged with dust. When the mouse begins to operate erratically, simply clean out the dust from the recessed areas.

The mechanical, or trackball, mouse is a little more complicated, since dirt and dust are drawn inside the mouse by the rotational movement of the tracking ball. When the rollers and shafts inside the mouse get dirty, the mouse can’t track smoothly across the monitor screen.

To clean a mechanical mouse, disconnect it from the computer and remove the bottom cover that holds the tracking ball in place. Most covers can be removed by turning them counterclockwise (or in the direction of the arrows or pointers displayed on the bottom of the mouse) about a quarter or half turn. If the tracking ball is dirty, clean it with a bit of alcohol.

Inside the mouse, there may be some loose dust that you can remove by spraying with compressed air. There are also a couple of white rollers and two thin black shafts that need to be cleaned. The dust on these rollers and shafts tends to get packed down by the pressure of the tracking ball.

To clean the shafts and rollers, use a pair of tweezers or the blade of a small screwdriver to gently scrape off the dirt. Finally, use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to remove any residue (make sure that no lint from the cotton is left behind).

Once the ball and cover are replaced, use some alcohol on a cloth to clean and disinfect the plastic housing of the mouse. To help keep your mouse clean, shake out or wipe down your mouse pad as well.

CLEANING THE DRIVES:

Because they are completely sealed, hard drives don’t need to be cleaned. In other types of drives, including floppy drives, CD-ROM drives, and DVD-drives, dust that accumulated in the area of the read-write head or laser assembly can cause the drive to operate erratically.

These drives all require specialized cleaning kits that can be purchased online or at your local computer supply store. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions provided with the cleaning kit.

Incidentally, you can clean a CD or DVD disk by using a cloth dampened with water or alcohol. When you do this, don’t clean the disks in a circular motion. Rather, start at the center of the disk and wipe toward the outer edge.

SUMMARY:

The time invested in keeping your computer system clean is well worth the investment. Your efforts will be rewarded with a system that will run cooler and quieter, and last longer.