Lab 9.1: Cleaning Computer Components

Properly cleaning a computer and its peripheral components can decrease strain on the user and the computer components. Fingerprints on a monitor increase glare and eyestrain, leading to user discomfort. Buildup of dirt in the mouse causes it to act sporadically, causing user frustration. In general, keeping your equipment clean is one of the first steps of preventative maintenance and of optimizing your computer.

Upon completion of this lab, you will be able to:

• Properly clean dust from the system

• Properly clean a mouse

• Properly clean a keyboard

• Properly clean CDs and CD-ROM drives

• Properly clean the computer case and monitor

Set Up

To complete this lab, you will need a working computer, a soft cloth, rubbing alcohol, and a can of compressed air or a computer vacuum.

Exercises

The simplest type of computer maintenance is periodic cleaning. Eliminating dust buildup inside the computer can help keep it running. Removing dirt and fingerprints from a monitor reduces eyestrain. Cleaning the keyboard and mouse improves their performance.

Dusting Computer Components

To dust computer components,

1. Turn off the computer and open the case. You may want to do this in an area where you won’t mind dust blowing around.

2. Use either compressed air or a vacuum to clean the dust from the motherboard, CPU fan, system fan, and other components. If you’re using compressed air, makes sure you direct the air so that it blows the dust out of the case.

   Warning

   Be careful to hold the can of compressed air upright. If the can is tilted, it may spray out chemicals that can cause corrosion on the motherboard and other components.

   If you use a computer vacuum, make sure you keep the nozzle a couple of inches above the motherboard to prevent accidental contact. Ensure that the vacuum doesn’t suck up small components, including jumpers, small screws, and so on.

   Note

   You can purchase small computer vacuums that don’t create ESD and that don’t generate enough suction to suck up small components. Do not use a regular vacuum to clean the inside of the computer.

3. Close the computer case.

Cleaning a Mechanical Mouse

To clean a mechanical mouse,

1. Unplug the mouse from the computer.

2. Turn the mouse over. Remove the mouse cover by twisting the cover one-eighth of a turn counterclockwise.

3. Place your hand under the mouse and tilt the mouse to remove the cover and mouse ball.

4. You can clean the mouse ball with a mild detergent and warm water. Make sure the mouse ball is dry before you insert it into the mouse.

5. Look inside the mouse housing. You can see the mouse rollers inside. There may be a buildup of dirt and hair on the rollers. Use your finger or fingernail to remove as much of the dirt buildup as possible. Tip the mouse over and gently shake it to get the debris out of the housing.

6. Once the housing is cleaned out and the mouse ball is dry, insert the mouse ball into the housing. Replace the cover and twist it one-eighth of a turn clockwise until it locks into place.

7. Plug the cleaned mouse back into the computer.

Cleaning an Optical Mouse

To clean an optical mouse,

1. Unplug the mouse from the computer.

2. Turn the mouse over. You will notice a port that is used by the light source to detect motion. This port frequently catches hair and other debris. You can remove the debris by gently blowing so it becomes dislodged. Alternatively, you can remove the debris by wiping down the surface.

3. Plug the cleaned mouse back into the computer.

Cleaning Dust and Debris from a Keyboard

To clean dust and debris from a keyboard,

1. Unplug the keyboard from the computer.

2. Turn the keyboard upside down and shake it. Doing so dislodges loose debris and hair from the keyboard.

3. Using compressed air, direct the air between the keys to blow away dust and debris. A vacuum cleaner can be used to suck up debris. Be careful not to suck up any loose keys.

Cleaning Liquids from a Keyboard

To clean out any liquid that has been spilled onto the keyboard,

1. Unplug the keyboard immediately. Turn the keyboard upside down over a sink or other area where the liquid will not cause problems.

2. Use a cloth or paper towel to wipe away as much of the liquid as possible. You can then use distilled, demineralized water to rinse away the residue from the keyboard.

3. Allow the keyboard to dry overnight or longer before plugging it into the computer.

Cleaning CDs and CD-ROM Drives

Follow these steps for cleaning CDs and CD-ROM drives:

1. To clean a CD-ROM drive, purchase a CD-ROM cleaning kit form any computer store. Regular use of the kit should keep the drive functioning properly. Take measures to prevent accidental insertion of foreign objects into the drive, such as cups, sandwiches, and so on.

2. To clean a CD, wipe it using a soft cloth; wipe from the center outward, going against the tracks. Do not wipe in a circular motion; doing so can create problems with reading the CD. For stubborn substances on the CD, try using a little rubbing alcohol or glass cleaner.

Cleaning the Computer Case and Monitor

To clean the computer case and monitor,

1. Unplug the computer. Use a soft cloth to dust the surface of the case. Pay attention to the ventilation holes. Wipe off the dust to keep the air circulating properly. For any stubborn stains, use a cloth that has been dampened with a bit of water. You can use a cloth dampened with soapy water for the really tough stains. Do not use any cleaning solvents on the case; these generally cause stains in the plastic that cannot be removed.

2. Clean the monitor screen using glass cleaner. Be sure to spray the glass cleaner onto a soft cloth and not directly onto the monitor. Doing so prevents the glass cleaner from accidentally being sprayed onto the electronics inside the case.

3. Clean the monitor case using the same procedure listed in step 1.