A Rag and a Can of Air Can Avert Damage
Like all tools, computers should be cleaned and maintained regularly.
Computers are kept cool during operation by fans. Although necessary, the fans can also suck dust and grime into the box--particularly tower units, which sit on the floor. At some point, this crud can jam the fan, causing the system to overheat and damage the motherboard or processor.
To avoid damage, you should clean your computer system at least twice each year.
First, disconnect the computer from its power source and peripheral devices such as the monitor and printer. If you are unfamiliar with the plugs and wires that proliferate at the back of your system, pick up a package of multicolored sticker dots at a stationery store. Place a colored dot on the end of a cable and a dot of the same color on the connector for that cable.
Remove the screws in the back of the unit that hold the cover on. Newer computers might not require any tools to do this. Then take the naked unit outside and set it on a flat, stable surface.
With a can of compressed air--available for a few dollars at any computer or hardware store--start at the back of the unit and spray air through the fan opening. Then spray over the motherboard and around any electronic boards plugged into the motherboard. Spray under the motherboard and through the floppy drive at the front. If your computer has a Zip drive or CD-ROM drives, spray air in and around them as well.
Next, take the keyboard outside, turn it upside down and shake it. Then use the compressed air around the keys.
Clean the computer case, keyboard and monitor case with any commercial cleaner, such as Fantastic or 409. To clean the monitor screen, spray glass cleaner on a rag--not directly on the screen--and then wipe the screen.
Don’t forget the mouse. Clean its cover, then turn it over and open the ball cover. Spray it out with the compressed air. If the mouse ball looks dirty or has been sluggish, clean it and the rollers it connects with rubbing alcohol. If your mouse has a scroll wheel, check the connecting wheel inside the mouse cavity. It might need a little rubbing alcohol.
If you really want to do a thorough job, unscrew and gently remove the electronic boards from their slots on the motherboard and clean the gold contacts at the bottom of the boards with a pencil eraser. Be sure to note the slots that you remove boards from so you can return them to their proper places. Color dots might work well for you here too.
Your Windows-equipped computer comes with software maintenance tools that you should use on a regular basis. I suggest that you use these programs at least once a month. Scandisk and Defrag are built-in software tools that help keep your hard drive working at its best.
It’s best to run these software programs in Safe mode so other software programs can’t interfere with the operations. If you have Windows 95, press and hold the F8 key when you see “Starting Windows 95” on your screen. For Windows 98, hold down the Ctrl key as Windows starts. In either case, you will be presented with a menu. Select Safe mode from the menu.
When Windows is up and running, click on Start, Programs, Accessories and then System Tools. First run Scandisk and then run Defrag. Now, you can restart your computer in full Windows mode by pressing and holding down the Ctrl-Alt-Delete keys twice.
These simple steps will go a long way toward keeping your computer in good working order and help ensure trouble-free use.
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Jeff Levy hosts the “On Computers” radio talk show from 9 a.m. to noon Sundays on KFI-AM (640).
