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PC maintenance, PC cleaning instructions, keyboards, screen cleaning, Cleaning Inside Systems Box


mouse

A mouse is a device that is handled a great deal and is therefore subjected to a fair bit of abuse--and dirt. If the ball becomes dirty then it doesn't roll properly, and your cursor won't move smoothly.

mouse maintenanceAlways ensure that the mouse has been unplugged from the back of the PC when cleaning it. Never pour alcohol or other cleaning fluids directly into the mouse.

Make sure that the cable does not get stuck in any part of your desk or workspace, to prevent damage. There should be slack in the cable as well; if it is pulled too tight this can damage the mouse.

PC Maintenance

Maintenance tips

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Keeping your computer clean can do a lot for your system. Sticky keyboards make it difficult to type , dirty monitors can make it difficult to read what's on the screen, and dust inside of your computer can make overclocking difficult.

In this section I will be covering how to keep your PC Components clean. Keep in mind that this isn't the be all, end all system cleaning guide - but following these steps should keep your system in good shape and help your parts live a longer, happier life.

I'd just like to mention that you should only perform these steps if the hardware in connection is turned off. Cleaning a computer while it is on could damage the equipment and possibly even cause harm to you.

Cleaning Instructions
  • Turn off your computer and unplug from power source
  • Unplug the mouse from the PC
  • Remove the cover from underneath the mouse turning in the direction shown by the arrow
  • Remove the rubber ball from the mouse
  • Pour a small amount of alcohol onto a lint free cloth and gently clean the rubber ball (If you do not have Isopropyl Alcohol then a damp cloth will be sufficient)
  • With the tweezers carefully remove any built up lint or dust that is stuck to the digitisers arms and around the inside of the mouse in general.
  • Wipe over the top of the mouse with a damp lint free cloth
  • Reassemble the mouse and plug in correctly

Keyboards

Keyboards are one of the most abused parts of the average system. They get pounded on, covered with dirt, loaded with dust and food particles, and even the odd cup of coffee spilt on them.

Cleaning Instructions

Over time dirt and natural oils from your fingers will accumulate on the keycaps, and dust and debris will fall into the keyboard between the keys. These should be cleaned monthly.

  • Unplug the keyboard from your computer
  • Vacuum the whole keyboard
  • Spray the compressed air following directions (if you do not have compressed air just a good vacuum will be sufficient)
  • Dampen a lint free cloth only very slightly (do not use excess water)
  • Carefully wipe each key individually
  • After ensuring that the keyboard is totally dry, reconnect the cable with the computer turned off.

Cleaning a keyboard isn't always that simple; opening it up can in fact ruin it, and some attempts at cleaning a keyboard can in fact make things worse, so only ever surface clean your keyboard.

Keep Food and Drink Away: The number one enemy of keyboards is not dust, but in fact food and drink. If you can "simply" make a policy of never eating or drinking while using your pc maintenance, you will have taken one of the best preventive measures that you can to keeping your keyboard working reliably. Also ensure your hands are kept clean to prevent the build up of dirt.

The electro-static nature of a monitor attracts dust and this can obscure your view and cause eye strain. Dust on the casing can hinder ventilation.

pc maintenance tipsWarning: Be very careful about what you use to clean the screen of your monitor. Using the wrong cleaner can damage the special and delicate coatings used on many newer screens to reduce glare and improve image quality. In particular, never use any sort of abrasive cleaner on the screen. A slightly damp, soft cloth is safest.

Monitors must be turned off for at least 30 minutes prior to being cleaned to allow for cooling.

Cleaning Instructions

Time: 5 minutes

You will need:
  • Glass cleaner (special anti-static computer screen cleaner)
  • 2 cloths
  • Soapy water (very diluted, a couple of drops per litre)
  • Cleaning wipes (optional)
Preparation
  • Remove all power leads and cables (the monitor should also be cold before you start, let it stand for at least 30 minutes)
  • Vacuum all dust
  • Dampen the cloth with the soapy solution and make sure it is squeezed almost dry.
  • Wipe the case down well.
  • Spray a little glass cleaner onto the other (dry) cloth and rub the screen well.

Screen Cleaning: Dust in fact accumulates more quickly on the surface of a monitor than elsewhere because of the static charge generated by them; paying hundreds of dollars for a high-quality monitor does little good if it is coated in dirt! In most cases the best way to clean the screen is just to wipe it with a soft cloth. If there is oily residue from finger prints then use some glass cleaner (preferably anti-static glass cleaner). Never spray directly onto the screen always spray onto the cloth first.

Do not use a duster on your monitor as this can cause the dust and dirt to actually fall down through the vents and into the monitor. Use a vacuum to remove all the dust from the outer casing and then wipe over with a soft cloth (not a damp cloth).

Cleaning Instructions Outer Casing

cleaning instructions outer casing You will need:

  • 2 cloths
  • Soapy water (very diluted, a couple of drops per litre)

Preparation

  • Unplug the switched off systems box and remove all cables (once you have allowed the system to cool for at least 30 minutes)
  • Slightly dampen the cloth in the soapy water and make sure you squeeze all excess water off. Water cannot not under any circumstances seep inside as this can destroy the motherboard.
  • Only gently wipe over the outer casing of your box paying careful attention around the floppy drive and back of the box where the cables plug in so that you do not get any water or dampness in these areas.
  • Dry all cleaned areas with the other cloth (dry one)
  • Ensure the box is completely dry before plugging the cables back in and turning on the power

Cleaning Instructions Inside the Systems Box

  • Open the case to your computer.
  • Put on your antistatic wrist strap and place the alligator clip to the chassis.
  • If you do not have an antistatic wrist strap, you may place one hand on the power supply to avoid static discharge to the circuitry. Be sure to keep your hand on the power supply during the entire cleaning process of the computer's interior.
  • Using compressed air, start from the back and work your way to the front of the computer, blowing dust from fan blades, chips, and the motherboard. Use caution in between the PC cards in the rear of the computer. Blow the dust out of the case.
  • You can also enlist the aid of a small paint brush to remove the coat of dust from the components. Remember that a coating of dust hampers the computer in its cooling efforts. Be careful not to loosen or snag any wires leading to or from the motherboard.
  • This process should be done no less than once a year. I recommend it be done twice a year, though, if for no other reason than your computer gets a complete physical inspection in the process.
  • If you use caution and proceed slowly, you should not encounter any problems in your cleaning efforts.
  • Take your computer or component to a local computer shop for cleaning if you feel uncomfortable with doing it yourself.

--visit users bigpond to know about pc maintenance tips {Top}

PC Operation and Maintenance Essentials for New and Experienced Users

Here, for the first time, is a concise yet detailed guide to essential PC operation and maintenance. It is sufficiently detailed to serve the purposes of even the novice user and, if followed, assures rapid and complete recovery from (pc maintenance)any PC disaster, while requiring very little of your time.

Minimizing the risk of disk failures, virus infections, or the accidental loss of valuable documents or data can be accomplished quite easily by following simple procedures in the areas of PC setup, routine disk maintenance, virus updates and regularly scheduled backups. When done correctly, the ability to recover quickly and fully from any of the afore mentioned maladies is assured and your PC, as a consequence, will perform optimally at all times.

Unfortunately, a complete, or even concise, treatment of this issue has been unavailable to the average PC user. The documentation that accompanies a new pc maintenance, whether it is the Windows booklet or the pc maintenance vendor抯 hardware guide, doesn say everything it should about each and every required procedure. And it certainly doesn put it all in one convenient user-friendly place!

The staff at allaboutyourownwebsite.com has solved that problem. Here, for the first time, is a concise guide to essential PC operation and maintenance. It is sufficiently detailed to serve the purposes of even the novice user and, if followed, assures rapid and complete recovery from any PC disaster, while requiring very little of your time. In fact, if you follow these recommendations, you can replace your entire PC(pc maintenance) with a new one and have it installed and operational with all of the same software, appearances, and data in the same amount of time that it takes to complete any ordinary new PC installation.


PC Setup

The following tasks should be performed when installing a new PC:

  • Save all receipts and papers, label and file them where they can be located easily. Keep the packaging for about thirty (30) days before throwing it out, in the event you have to send everything back to the manufacturer.
  • Buy a power strip surge protector that includes phone line surge protection and use it!
  • Create an emergency boot diskette and label it. Your computer will come with the necessary instructions. It may even come with an emergency boot diskette already created in which case you can skip this step.
  • Install anti-virus software. If your computer did not come with anti-virus protection software (usually Norton, McAfee or Dr. Solomon) you MUST buy a program and install it. The basic package is all you need.
  • Create an emergency anti-virus diskette and label it. Follow the instructions of your anti-virus software.
  • Clean up your desktop (screen) that will come littered with icons. These are just shortcuts to run programs and can be deleted (right click on each and select DELETE) if you want to unclutter your screen. The programs do not get deleted; every program can just as easily be run from the PROGRAMS menu (START/PROGRAMS/...). A lot of these desktop icons will be internet shortcuts to Internet Service Providers (ISP) who are hoping to seduce you into subscribing to their internet service. Once you have chosen your ISP you may delete these icons.
  • Extend your warranty if necessary. Make sure your warranty covers parts and labor for at least two years.

Required Routine Maintenance - Weekly, Monthly and Quarterly

Performing these preventive measures will significantly decrease the probability and frequency that your hard drive will crash, or the likelihood that viruses will ruin your system.

WEEKLY (or every 40 hours of computer use):

  1. Run Disk Cleanup
    (START/PROGRAMS/ACCESSORIES/DISK CLEANUP).
    Check any or all boxes. This may take about thirty (30) seconds.
  2. Run Scan Disk
    (START/PROGRAMS/ACCESSORIES/SCAN DISK).
    Be sure to check the standard box before starting. This may take a few minutes.
  3. Run Disk Defragmenter
    (START/PROGRAMS/ACCESSORIES/DISK DEFRAGMENTER).
    Check the C:/ drive. This may take between 10-60 or more minutes, depending on how many files you have saved on your hard drive.

Instant Reference Guide to PC Maintenance

Spend some time taking care of your PC, and it will reward you with years of reliable service. These tips, tools, and resources can help keep any machine happy, healthy, and trouble-free.

Things to Do

Like your car, your pc maintenance benefits from regular upkeep. But you don't need a mechanic to maintain your computer--you can easily do it yourself. Put it through this routine of simple checks and updates to keep it humming.

...Every Day

Update your virus definitions: Viruses spread within hours, so keeping your antivirus software up-to-date is essential. Do an incremental backup: Making a copy of files that have changed since your last full backup is quick and easy. Reboot when programs crash: Failed applications can cause other programs to falter. Restart your system after every crash to clear it out.

...Every Week

Perform a full virus scan: Find anything nasty hiding on your system by regularly scheduling a total scan. Do a complete backup: Better safe than sorry. A backup of all of your data will help you recover if your drive fails. Run Windows Update: Get the latest patches from Microsoft to secure your system, by running this from the Start menu. Run a spyware-and-adware removal program: A tool like Spybot Search & Destroy can quickly find and remove sneaky spyware.

...Every Month

Update your programs: To make your apps more stable, check for vendors' software updates or visit a site such as VersionTracker. Check for new drivers: Installing the latest drivers for your devices can help speed up and stabilize your pc maintenance. Use a one-click utility-suite checkup program: A utility suite (like those reviewed this month) can give your system a thorough checkup.

...Every Year

Clean out your PC case: Use a vacuum cleaner to carefully clear out the dust that collects in a case and can clog up the fans.

Spring-clean your programs: If your pc maintenance seems sluggish and bloated, make a full backup and then use the restore CD to return the system to its original state. Conduct a full diagnostic check: A hardware-diagnostic program can test your equipment and track down faulty components before they fail completely.

The Tools You Need

Having the right tools makes maintaining your PC easier and safer. Here are the tools we think every user should have--from screwdrivers to the software you ought to run every day--and the Web sites that can help you out when problems happen.

Online

McAfee FreeScan: You don't have to purchase and install antivirus software to see if anything harmful is lurking on your computer. McAfee's FreeScan works online and doesn't cost a dime.

ShieldsUp: Steve Gibson's ShieldsUp will scan your system to see if any ports are open, and if they could be used by a hacker to get access to your personal data.

BroadbandReports.com broadband tools: Check the speed of your connection and pin down problems with your ISP with this excellent collection of utilities for DSL and cable Internet users.

PC Pitstop: Worried that your hard drive is dying or that your floppy drive will fail? PC Pitstop (a PC World partner) offers a huge range of online tests for your hardware, software, and Internet connection.

Online backup: You don't have to use a rewritable DVD drive to back up your data. Services such as Xdrive and IBackup provide secure online storage for a monthly fee. You can even access your data from another PC.

PCWorld.com Downloads: Don't forget to check out our list of the most popular utilities for testing and fixing your PC.

Hardware

Screwdrivers: A set of screwdrivers with Phillips, standard, and Torx heads will prepare you for every eventuality.

Pliers and tweezers: Needle-nose pliers and tweezers make getting to those hard-to-reach parts easy.

Compressed air: Your PC is a dust trap, but you can gently blow the dust away with a can of compressed air.

Handheld vacuum: Carefully remove the dust, hair, and gunk that collect inside.

Antistatic strap: Static electricity can kill the system's sensitive internal components, so never open the case without using a wrist strap.

Software

soft wareAntivirus: A comprehensive program such as Norton AntiVirus 2004 can protect your PC; good free alternatives are available, as well.

Utility suite: A good utility suite can help secure your machine and fix problems quickly and easily.

Firewall: Lots of bad people lurk out there, but a firewall such as ZoneAlarm can keep them at bay. Free firewalls are adequate for most users.

Boot disks: Windows XP doesn't come with a boot floppy, but Microsoft does provide a program to create bootable floppy disks if you can't start from a CD.

Resources: Where to Go for More Help

If you've got PC problems, you're not alone. Thousands of other users, from knowledgeable amateurs to IT pros, are happy to lend assistance. Check these sites for a helping hand, and don't be afraid to ask if you can't dig up the answer.... The book publisher O'Reilly runs Annoyances.org, offering thousands of fixes for Windows problems as well as discussion forums.... For those looking to get the most out of Windows XP, TweakXP.com offers help and advice....

The HardOCP forums are home to a large assortment of helpful geeks who know lots of stuff about the insides of PCs.... At Computing.net you can find a wide range of active forums on topics from PDAs to getting rid of spyware.... Browse to The Elder Geek to discover a long alphabetical list of problems and fixes for Windows XP, plus a forum if you can't find your answer.... Finally, don't forget Microsoft's searchable Knowledge Base.

pc world have more about the pc maintenance information. {top}

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