Maintenance of computer

Maintenance Of Computer Hardware Part

Computer hardware maintenance involves caring for, repairing, and replacing malfunctioning or broken computer hardware components.

To ensure the longevity of computers and prevent hardware failures or data loss, regular maintenance is essential. Often, hardware failures occur unexpectedly. Excessive heat can hasten the deterioration of delicate circuits within the system, with dust and dirt being the common culprits of overheating. Therefore, cleaning the computer case is crucial to prevent component overheating.

Computer hardware components attract dust, dirt, lint, carpet fibres, pet hair, and smoke particles. The air expelled by the computer’s cooling fan contains particles that settle on the components, leading to overheating and eventual permanent hardware failure.

Consequently, it is advisable to perform a thorough cleaning at least once a year. In hot, dusty, or moist environments, more frequent cleaning is necessary.

A STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS FOR MAINTAINING COMPUTER HARDWARE:

GENERAL COMPUTER CLEANING:

1. Always shut down and power off the system before performing any computer maintenance.
2. Avoid spraying any liquid directly onto computer components. Instead, spray or pour the liquid onto a lint-free cloth and use it to wipe the PC. Avoid using products containing cellulose, as they may leave streaks on the equipment. Discourage the use of paper towels or old rags as they can scratch delicate hardware surfaces.
3. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dirt, dust, food particles, and hair from keyboards. It is recommended to wear an anti-static wrist strap to minimize the transfer of static electricity to the computer.
4. Avoid applying cleaning solutions, including water, directly to computer components.
5. Refrain from using breath to blow dust off components, as breath contains moisture that can cause rust.
6. Sometimes, it may be necessary to replace fans or physically wipe certain computer components.
7. Avoid using wet or damp materials inside the computer case.
8. Prevent any component or circuit board inside the computer case from getting wet or damp.
9. Refrain from cleaning the motherboard with a cloth, as it may damage electrical components. Instead, use a slightly moist cloth to wipe off dust and grime inside the computer case.
10. Keep drinks away from the computer.
11. Avoid exposing the computer to vibrations and shocks.

TOOLS FOR CLEANING COMPUTER HARDWARE:

1. Use a clean, non-abrasive cloth such as microfiber, cotton, a t-shirt, or a cotton handkerchief. Avoid paper towels, dish towels, facial tissue, or old rags.
2. Utilize a portable vacuum cleaner.
3. Choose an appropriate cleaning solution.
4. Have cotton swabs and foam swabs on hand.
5. Consider using a DVD or CD-ROM cleaner.

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR MOUSE:

1. Disconnect the mouse cable from the back of the computer case.
2. Dampen a cleaning cloth with isopropyl alcohol and wipe down the external surface of the mouse and mouse pad.
3. Remove the bottom cover of the mouse. Turn it over and follow the directional arrows indicating the direction of rotation or how to slide it off. Press in the direction of the arrows and turn the mouse right side up to let the cover and mouse ball drop into your hand.
4. Wipe the mouse ball with a lint-free cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol. Set it aside.
5. Dampen a swab with isopropyl alcohol and clean between, around, and on top of the keys. Replace the swabs as they become dirty, using multiple swabs if needed.
6. Put the mouse ball and cover back in place.
7. Wipe the mouse cord using a cleaning cloth lightly dampened with a mild soap solution. Gently pull the cord through the cloth.
8. Plug the mouse back into the computer.

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR MONITOR:

1. Unplug the power supply cord and cable from the back of the monitor and allow it to cool for at least 20 minutes.
2. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and debris from the outside of the monitor, paying attention to cooling grooves, holes, or slots on the top surface where dust may accumulate. Use short puffs of compressed air at an angle to remove dust and dirt without allowing anything to fall into the ventilation holes.
3. Dampen a cloth with a mild soap solution and gently wipe down the plastic portions of the monitor.
4. Clean the monitor cables and power cord while they are disconnected. Use a cloth lightly dampened with a mild soap solution and gently pull the cables and cords through the cloth.
5. Check the manufacturer’s documentation or contact them to determine if your monitor screen has any special coatings such as anti-glare. If so, follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. If not, you can spray a window cleaner onto a lint-free cloth and use it to clean the screen. Avoid spraying directly onto the screen to prevent damage.
6. For dusty or dirty manufacturing environments, consider using a computer dust cover to protect the monitor.

HOW TO CLEAN A KEYBOARD:

1. Remove the cable from the back of the computer case.
2. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove debris between the keys. If a vacuum is not available, turn the keyboard upside down and gently tap on the backside to dislodge debris.
3. Use compressed air to blow between the keys and remove the remaining dust and debris. Apply short bursts of air at a 30 to 45-degree angle to the keyboard surface. Alternate between blowing the keys and tapping the keyboard upside down to dislodge particles until it is clean.
4. Dampen a cloth with a mild soap solution and wipe down the external surface of the keyboard. Avoid spraying the soap solution directly onto the keyboard.
5. Dampen a swab with isopropyl alcohol and clean between, around, and on top of the keys. Replace the swabs as they become dirty, using multiple swabs if needed.
6. Wipe the keyboard cord using a cleaning cloth lightly dampened with a mild soap solution. Gently pull the cord through the cloth and dry it with a dry cloth.
7. For dusty or dirty manufacturing environments, consider using a keyboard cover to protect the keyboard.

BATTERY CHARGING AND REPLACEMENT:

Battery charging and replacement can be divided into two types: for laptops and for PCs that use UPS.

HOW TO CHARGE A LAPTOP BATTERY:

1. Plug your laptop into a power socket and leave it connected whenever possible.
2. You can recharge your laptop’s battery whether it is fully drained or not.
3. It is not necessary to fully drain the laptop’s lithium-ion battery every time you use it.
4. Some laptops have a rapid-charging option available in the Power Options or through special battery software. Follow the instructions to utilize this feature effectively.
5. Avoid overcharging the battery and charge it when it reaches a low level (around 20%-10%). Do not let the battery dry out completely.

FOR PCs THAT USE UPS:

1. Fully charge the UPS battery before use, typically for 4 to 6 hours.
2. Ensure that the UPS remains in contact with its electrical ground at all times. Avoid overloading the UPS.
3. Prevent the UPS from shutting down by itself, as it can damage the battery.

HOW TO CLEAN A DVD DRIVE:

1. Purchase a DVD laser cleaning kit, which includes a spinning disc designed to remove dust from the lens.
2. Place the CD/DVD laser lens cleaning disc into your DVD drive’s tray, close the tray, and allow the CD to spin inside the drive. This will clear the lens of most, if not all, dust particles.
3. As an extra precaution, use a can of compressed air to gently spray into the drive’s disc tray. This will remove any larger dust particles that may be present.