Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
when the PC powers up. If some kind of moisture is absolutely necessary, use alcohol on a
cotton swab.
Old circuit boards can build up deposits on the metal pins (contacts) along the edge; you
can remove these deposits with a pencil eraser or with alcohol and a cotton swab. Avoid
touching any of the circuitry, chips, or transistors on a circuit board; it's easy to damage
them. Handle circuit boards only by the edges.
Other parts that tend to accumulate dust include the fan on the power supply, the fan on
the processor, and the air vents in the case. Wipe off the case's air vents with a damp paper
towel. For the power supply, point the compressed air nozzle at an angle to the fan opening
rather than blowing straight down into it to avoid driving the dirt even deeper into the
power supply box instead of blowing it out.
Notebook PCs and all-in-ones also need to be cleaned out periodically, although not
as often as desktops because there is less airfl ow in them and the vents are smaller, so less
debris tends to accumulate. Non-desktop models are often harder to get into; you may need
to obtain instructions from a service manual to know which screws to remove to open one
and access its inner spaces where dust and dirt may have accumulated.
Moisture inside a PC can be a problem in humid environments because
water conducts electricity, which can create short-circuiting. Many
server rooms have environmental dehumidifiers to control moisture in
the atmosphere. You may wish to use a room-based dehumidifier if your
region is prone to high summer humidity.
EXERCISE 5.1
Cleaning a Desktop Computer
1.
Turn off the PC, and unplug it.
2.
Clean all the externally accessible plastic surfaces with a spray cleaner designed for
electronics and paper towels or a soft cloth.
3.
Clean the mouse, using whatever techniques are most appropriate for the model.
4.
Clean the keyboard, including turning it upside down and shaking it to remove debris
under the keys. Clean the individual keys with the spray cleaner and paper towels or cloth.
5.
Clean the monitor screen with a spray or towelette cleaner designed for monitors. Don't
spray the cleaner directly onto the monitor surface.
6.
Remove the cover from the case. Remove any clumps of hair or dirt with your fi ngers.
7.
If there is additional dust inside, vacuum it out with a vacuum designed for electronics,
or blow it out with compressed air.
8.
Wait for all damp areas to dry, and then plug the computer back in and restart it.
