When dealing
with computers, dust isn't just unattractive—it can potentially destroy parts
of your computer. By cleaning your computer regularly, you can help to keep it
working properly and avoid expensive repairs.
CLEANING THE KEYBOARD
A dirty
keyboard doesn't look nice and can cause your keyboard to not work properly.
Dust, food, liquid, or other particles can get stuck underneath the keys, which
can cause them not to work. Check your owner's manual to see if the
manufacturer has provided you with instructions for your specific keyboard.
DEALING WITH LIQUIDS
If you spill
liquid on the keyboard, quickly shut down the computer, and disconnect and turn
the keyboard upside down to allow the liquid to drain.
If the liquid is sticky, you will need to hold the keyboard on its side under running water to rinse the sticky liquid away. Then, turn the keyboard upside down to drain for two days before reconnecting it. The keyboard may not be repairable at this point, but rinsing the sticky liquid off the keyboard is the only chance for it to be usable again. The best way to avoid this situation is to keep drinks away from the computer area.
CLEANING THE MOUSE
There are
two main types of mouse: optical and mechanical. Each is cleaned in basically
the same way, although the mechanical mouse requires a bit more work.
OPTICAL MOUSE; require no internal cleaning since
there aren't any rotating parts; however, they can get sticky over time as dust
collects near the light emitter. This can cause erratic cursor movement or
prevent the mouse from working.
MECHANICAL MOUSE; are especially susceptible to dust
and particles that can accumulate inside the mouse, which can make it difficult
to track, or move, properly. If the mouse pointer does not move smoothly, the mouse
may need to be cleaned.
Before you
clean your mouse, check your owner's manual to see if the manufacturer has
provided you with instructions for your specific mouse.
CLEANING THE MONITOR
Dirt,
fingerprints, and dust can make your computer screen difficult to read;
however, it's easy to clean your screen when needed. Although there are
monitor-cleaning kits you can buy, they may damage your monitor if they are
designed for a different type of monitor. For example, a monitor cleaner that
is designed for glass screens may not work with some non-glass LCD screens. The
safest method is simply to use a soft, clean cloth moistened with water.
NOTE: Do not
use glass cleaner to clean a monitor. Many screens have anti-glare coatings
that can be damaged by glass cleaner and do not spray any liquids directly onto
the screen. The liquid could leak into the monitor and damage the internal
components.
Before you
clean your monitor, check your owner's manual to see if the manufacturer has
provided you with instructions for your specific monitor.
From time to
time, you should clean your computer case and the sides and back of the monitor
to avoid buildup of dust and dirt.
Computers
are often the most important single items that you can have, and having to
reformat can mean a significant loss of time and information. In order to avoid
the panic associated with file loss and/or corruption, a few preventative steps
can be taken.
DO A MONTHLY CLEAN UP; each month,
delete unneeded folders, and files. They take up useful memory, and if they
become superfluous, can slow down your computer. If you're a pack rat and just
can't seem to part with these files, save them to disk for future reference if
needed.
CREATE SYSTEM RESTORE POINTS
REGULARLY; Do this
at least once a week. If weaker viruses are accidentally downloaded, the
restore point will ensure that your data is recoverable.
CREATE BACKUP DISKS; backup any
files that you use on a regular basis or files that are updated frequently. In
the unfortunate event of a hard drive crash, you won't panic about lost work.
USE ANTI-SPYWARE SOFTWARE; these programs can rid your computer
of unwanted spyware and malware.
UTILIZE ANTI-VIRUS PROTECTION; if you can't
afford an anti-virus program (or don't want one because of the negative effects
it can have on your computer), simply conduct a free online virus scan. Two of
the most trusted scans are TrendMicro (http://housecall.trendmicro.com) and
Panda (http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm).
DELETE COOKIES; clear your cache after you sign off.
These files are completely unnecessary, take up memory, and can allow spyware
to invade your computer.
PERFORM A SCAN DISK OPERATION; periodically
perform a scan disk to make sure that your files are all in working order. This
scan should be performed about once a week.
DEFRAGMENT; defragmenting your computer will
guarantee that your files are organized and your computer is running at optimal
speeds. This should be done at least once a month.
CONSIDER FORMATTING YOUR HARD DRIVE; this should probably only be done if
all of the above have been tried without success.
The last but
not the least is to, stay away from websites that don't seem trustworthy this
includes places like flash game sites, and blogs.
I hope you
find this information very helpful? Your comments and questions are welcome.
You can use the form below to contact me. THANKS
Merry
Christmas and A Happy New Year…..Stay Blessed!!!
