Clean PC – A Dirty Issue

Experts can´t seem to stress enough the importance of regular system optimization through registry–cleaning or hard disk–defragging. If you´re a tech magazine subscriber, you´ll notice the seemingly incessant advices or columns about cleaning or rearranging data inside your system. However, have you ever wondered if cleaning the hardware itself can also do wonders for your PC´s performance?

Wiping dust away from your hardware is as important as ridding your software of needless instructions or malicious intrusions. Those seemingly harmless dust particles can affect the performance of your computer. We all know that overheating can cause the early demise of any electronic gadget. As dust usually accumulate in vents, leaving them in that area for a long period of time can cause the unit to overheat, thereby damaging many of its components.

Arming Yourself

Removing dirt inside your computer´s casing is not as complicated as open heart surgery. While the thought of seeing and touching the motherboard for the first time may be overwhelming, the task of cleaning it is easier than you might think. Before you proceed with the delicate but easy operation, you will need the following tools:

• A compressed air can


• Glass cleaner


• Lint-free wipes and antibacterial moist cloth


• A small piece of soft cloth


• Dust mask

Want a Clean PC? Roll Up Your Sleeves!

It´s not enough that you clean your unit´s casing. Every component should be attended to. If you’re clueless on how to go about with the task of eliminating dust and dirt off your PC, follow these simple guides:

• Cleaning your keyboard.
  
  The dirt that accumulates in keyboards are usually small bits of food that fall off from the user´s mouth or hands. Leaving food and other particles for a long period of time over and underneath the keys could result in the improper functioning of the equipment.
  
  Removing the crumbs is simple. Turn the keyboard upside down above a wastebasket and shake it gently. Position it vertically and repeat the same process. When all the particles inside and between the keys have already fallen off, wipe it using an antibacterial cloth to rid it of any remaining dirt. Take note that your computer should be turned off when performing this procedure.


• Cleaning your mouse.
  
  Dust usually accumulates at the bottom of this pointing device. Dirt can also be found on its sides. Cleaning the mouse is as simple as cleaning the keyboard. In fact, the procedure is basically just the same. Just wipe or scrape off the dirt found on its exteriors. If you´re still using a mouse that uses roller balls, take out the latter and wipe the dirt off from it.


• Cleaning your monitor.
  
  A dust-filled monitor can harm both your health and cause unnecessary stress to your eyes. For CRT monitors, use a suitable glass cleaner especially made for this purpose as the screen is the most delicate part of the PC. Don´t spray the cleaning agent directly on the monitor. Instead, use a small piece of soft cloth and dampen it with the cleaner. Lint-free wipes may also be used to clean the screen.
  
  On the other hand, LCD screens can be cleaned by using a piece of soft cloth that is slightly dampened with water. Make sure that your monitor is switched off during the whole process and don´t turn it on until it is fully dry.


• Cleaning the fans.
  
  The fans have to work harder if dust resides on the blades and in the motor. If the accumulation is heavy, it might not work as efficiently as it could. Heat inside the casing may rise as a result. We all know that overheating can lead to component malfunction or damage, as well as data loss.
  
  To clean the fans, remove the case lid and blow off the dust using a can of compressed air. You should point or position the can in such a way that the dust would be blown off at the back of the casing. In order to ensure that the fan would be thoroughly cleaned, point the can´s nozzle on the area below the center where the motor and the fans meet. For the finishing touch, spray air on the fan for a few seconds while it is spinning.
  
  Spray over the vents of the case lid, too, in order to ensure that no residual dust would find its way back into the fan.

Last but not the least, clean the INSIDE of your PC too with a registry cleaner!

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