PC Maintenance By Tammy Pratt University of Phoenix EDTC560

Monitor Keyboard Mouse CPU interior Peripherals Printers Scanners What Should be Cleaned:

Cleaning Tools Premixed cleaning solvent or over the counter cleaner Canned air To loosen dirt Lint free cloths Never use Swiffer Sweeper® on your PC they are statically charged Non static vacuum made for PC’s Never use a household vacuum it can create static electricity

Cleaning Solutions Mild soapy water Vinegar and water for cleaning 1 part vinegar + 4 parts water Fabric softener and water 1 part fabric softener + 10 parts water Helps prevent static Helps prevent dust buildup Over the counter antistatic cleaners

Enemies? The two biggest enemies of your PC Heat Electro static discharge

Electro Static Discharge (ESD) Static below the level you experience while walking across carpeting and touching a doorknob can destroy components Can cause catastrophic or a gradual ESD degradation

Protection Never stand on carpeting Clean CPU in the kitchen Less likely to be carpeted Anti-static wrist strap Ground yourself Touch PC frame before touching internal components

Cleaning Checklist Checklist:  Damaged connectors  Frayed cables  Loose connections  Heat damage... Too prolong the life of you PC

Keyboard Use canned air Soft bristle brush Wipe exterior with soapy water Never spill liquid on the keyboard If a liquid is spilled, turn keyboard upside down and shake

Mouse Use a damp cloth to clean exterior of mouse Remove ball and clean rollers w/ denatured alcohol & swab Optical mouse Clean the lens with diluted denatured alcohol

Monitor Use lint free cloth with mild soapy water Never open the case on a monitor Internal voltage can be dangerous Use Windex only on a glass screen Never use on LCD’s—can damage the protective coating

Interior of CPU Unplug CPU Hold [Power Button] in for 30 seconds This drains remaining power from the Motherboard Remove cover Used canned air Use non static vacuum

Interior of CPU Clean the: Case vents Power Supply vents (small box) Blades on all fans Video card Heat sink or CPU Power Supply (can have 1 or more) Front and rear fans on case Check that cards are seated Connections are tight Put cover on and reattach cables

Interior of CPU Video Card Processor

Peripherals Clean with lint free cloth & mild soapy water Use soft bristled brush Canned air on air vents

Resources (2001) Help With PCs Retrieved December 5, 2004 from pc_maintenance.htm pc_maintenance.htm (2003) Levels4You Retrieved December 5, 2004 from view=74688

References Myers, M. (2004). Mike Meyers A+ Certification Passport (2 nd ed.). CA: McGraw Hill.