Most of us take for granted that when we turn on our computer it works ok, what we don't notice much is the slow operational deterioration that occurs over time.

General Hardware Computer Maintenance

By the time you start noticing a significant performance drop is often too late for some of the hardware parts of your computer. Follow these simple notes to keep you computer in tip top condition and reduce the risk of hardware failure.

Grime, Dust and Fluff

These are your computers biggest enemies as it restricts cooling! As you know when you turn on your PC you can hear fans whirring around inside. These are cooling fans, they are there to keep your computer components cool. If the cooling system gets blocked or fails your computer will get damaged. Your processor for instance may be running as hot as 70 degress centigrade!

The way your cooling fans work is to suck in air from the immediate environment and then blow it out of the back of your computer. While it is "sucking" it is sucking in dust. This dust builds up around the fans and eventually turns into fluff. This fluff can damage your fans and in some extreme case catch fire if your power supply unit gets hot enough.

Dirt can build up on all your components and circuit boards. A coating of dust can increase the temperature of your computer and its components. Cigarette smoke is one of the worst kinds of contaminants. This can corrode metal contacts and eventually your computer will fail.

Check outside the Box first

Before you start cleaning, check the area around your PC for anything nearby that could potentially increase temperature (such as a heating radiators or direct sunlight), also try and make some space around your computer.

Always turn off and unplug the system before you open the case and clean any of its components. Never apply any liquid directly to a component. Spray or pour the liquid on a lint-free cloth, and wipe the PC with the cloth.

How Often do I clean my PC ?

Well this depends on the environment in which your computer is kept. In a climate-controlled environment, an annual clean should be enough. If your computer is located in a dusty office, your system may need a cleaning every few months. Even if your computer is located in a carpeted living room or bedroom you would be surprised how much dust gets sucked into your computer! It pays to open the side of your computer box at least once every six months and take a look.

A good quick indicator that your computer needs cleaning is the Power Supply Unit exit fan. Check the back of your computer and look at the power supply unit fan, is it clear? does it make a noise, this could be due to dust and fluff stuck to the fan making it out of balance and making it vibrate on its bearing? Try getting a strong vacuum cleaner and sucking out the dust and fluff, this may help.

Cleaning inside the Box

All you need are lint-free wipes, a can of compressed air, a small 2 inch paint brush, an old toothbrush and an antistatic wrist strap to protect your system when you clean inside the case. Use the paint and tooth brushes to move any stubborn dirt and dust. Use a vacuum cleaner with a PLASTIC pipe to suck out dust. Clean any fans with the soft paint brush or toothbrush, there will be one on your processor cooler and maybe your graphics card and maybe a case fan.

DO NOT DISMANTLE YOUR POWER SUPPLY UNIT TO CLEAN THE FANS, the best you can do here is to use the paintbrush to loosen dirt on the fan blades through the grills and use a powerful vacuum cleaner to suck out the loosened dust and fluff.

Clean the outside of the computer case: Wipe the case and clear its ventilation ports of any obstructions. A paint brush and compressed air are good for this, but don't blow dust into the PC or its optical CD/DVD and floppy drives. Keep all cables firmly attached to their connectors on the case. Do not unplug any components or cables or remove any components thinking you can clean it better as this will leave the connectors exposed to all the dust flying about.

Clean your Monitor: Wipe the monitor case and clear its vents of obstructions, without pushing dust into the unit. Clean the screen with a standard glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth. If your monitor has a degauss button (look for a small magnet icon), push it to clear magnetic interference. Many LCD's can be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol; check with your LCD manufacturer. Wipe your LCD lightly: The underlying glass is fragile.

Check your power protection: Reseat the cables plugged into your surge protector. Check the unit's warning indicator, if it has one. Surge protectors may power your PC even after being compromised by a voltage spike (making your system susceptible to a second spike). If your power protector doesn't have a warning indicator and your area suffers frequent power outages, replace it with one that has such an indicator and is UL 1449 certified.

Cleaning your CD and DVD disk media: Gently wipe each disk with a moistened, soft cloth. Use a motion that starts at the centre of the disk and then moves outward toward the edge. Never wipe a disk in a circular motion as this may scratch in the direction that the CD/DVD reading laser moves and increases the risk of making your disk unreadable.

Keep a clean and tidy keyboard: Turn the keyboard upside down and shake it to clear out your old toast and sandwich crumbs from between the keys. If that does not do it, blast it with compressed air. If your keys stick or your keyboard is really dirty, lift the keys off for easier cleaning. Computer shops have special tools for removing keys, but you can also pop them off by using two spoon ends, just be sure to use a soft touch. If your keyboard is suspect replace it with a new one, they are pretty inexpensive these days.