Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
of the keyboard. Periodic vacuuming or compressed gas cleaning prevents more serious
problems with sticking keys and keyswitches.
Mostball-type mice are easy toclean. Inmost cases, atwist-offlocking retainer keeps the
mouseballretainedinthebodyofthemouse.Byremovingtheretainer,youcausetheball
to drop out. After removing the ball, you should clean it with one of the electronic clean-
ers. I recommend a pure cleaner instead of a contact cleaner with lubricant because you
do not want any lubricant on the mouse ball. Then, wipe off the rollers in the body of the
mouse with the cleaner and some swabs.
To keep optical or laser mice clean, just check the bottom of the mouse for any dust or
debris that might block the light or detector. Use compressed air to remove dust or other
extraneous material.
Passive Preventive Maintenance Procedures
Passive preventive maintenance involves taking care of the system by providing the best
possible environment—both physical and electrical—for the system. Physical concerns
are conditions such as ambient temperature, thermal stress from power cycling, dust and
smoke contamination, and disturbances such as shock and vibration. Electrical concerns
are items such as ESD, power-line noise, and radio-frequency interference. Each of these
environmental concerns is discussed in the following sections.
Examining the Operating Environment
Before you set up a new PC, prepare a proper location for it that is free of airborne con-
taminants such as smoke or other pollution. Do not place your system in front of a win-
dow;thecomputershouldnotbeexposedtodirectsunlightortemperaturevariations.The
environmental temperature should be as constant as possible. Power should be provided
through properly grounded outlets and should be stable and free from electrical noise and
interference.Keepyoursystemawayfromradiotransmittersorothersourcesofradiofre-
quency energy.
Note
I also don't recommend using computer desks that place the system unit in a sealed cabinet;
this is a good way to promote overheating.
Heating and Cooling
Thermal expansion and contraction from ambient temperature changes place stress on a
computer system. Therefore, keeping the temperature in your office or room relatively
constant is important to the successful operation of your computer system.
