The birds are singing, the flowers are budding, the bees are buzzing, the lambs are gambolling. Spring is here. Traditionally spring is the time to clean the house after the dust, and grime of winter has built up. So what an excellent time to clean your computer!
First, gather together the cleaning materials. You will need:
- Two lint-free cloths
- Cleaner (I use Spray & Wipe, never use a solvent cleaner)
- Glass cleaner & cloth (Anti-static, anti-mist lens’ cleaner from an optician)
- Air in a can (Dick Smith)
- Floppy disk cleaner kit (for example)
- CD-Rom cleaner (I use a Philips CD Lens Cleaner SBC3510)
- Long-stiff-bristled brush
Power up the computer and follow the instructions on both the CD-R and floppy cleaning kit. Once completed, switch off your computer.
Disconnect the monitor from the power and the computer. Spray some of your cleaner onto a lint-free cloth. Never spray the cleaner straight onto any part of the computer. Now wipe the case of the monitor with the cloth. I find that a second, dry, lint-free cloth is required to dry the case.
To clean the actual screen use the glass cleaner. Spray some directly onto the glass and wipe clean with the glass cleaning cloth. I would not use window/mirror cleaner because there may be solvents present that will destroy the anti-glare coating of your screen. Leave the monitor disconnected.
Disconnect the keyboard from the computer. Spray some more cleaner onto your cloth and wipe down the keyboard. Wipe each key and in between them. Don’t forget to dry them off. Take the long-stiff-bristled brush and brush between the keys. If you have a very dirty keyboard turning it upside down, and brushing it, helps to remove the fluff and stuff. If you have an extremely dirty keyboard, you can remove the keys, and brush out under them. Be careful to remember which key goes where when you put them back. Do not reconnect the keyboard yet.
Disconnect the mouse. On the underside of the mouse is little plate that holds in the mouse-ball. Twist it and the mouse-ball will come out. You now have access to three rollers inside the mouse. A dirty mouse has a small line of dirt in the middle of the roller. Use a finger and finger nail to remove as much as possible. Do not reconnect the mouse just yet.
Now to the computer case. Disconnect all remaining cables and the power. Take your lint-free cloth and spray some cleaner onto it. Wipe down your case and dry it. Now we need to open your case, but first check your warranty to ensure that opening the case doesn’t void it. Every computer I have ever seen has had a different way to open it, so you may need to see your instruction book.
Once open, place any screws in a safe place so you will be able to close the case again. You will see dust collected in various places. Point the “air-in-a-can” at the dust, but in a direction that will blow the dust away from the computer. Give it a woosh. Repeat until clean, or your air runs out. It is not recommended that you use a vacuum cleaner, you could damage the components by touching them with the nozzle, or even suck up small “switches” called jumpers. Definitely don’t use a brush, or blow your moisture-laden breath over the sensitive components. The $20 for canned air is well worth it.
To clean your scanner and printer, you should check the user manual for instructions.
Now reconnect everything. Looks brand new now doesn’t it?
