Computer Cleaning Tips:
"We Will Rescue Your Computer!"
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**IMPORTANT!  ALWAYS TURN OFF AND UNPLUG YOUR COMPUTER AND ALL
OF ITS COMPONENTS BEFORE CLEANING!!**
Cleaning the Outside of Your PC, Monitor & Peripherals:

1.   Wipe down the exterior of your PC, monitor, and peripherals with a lint-free
    cloth dampened (not saturated) with clean water.  If your water tends to leave a
    residue, filtered or distilled water is recommended.  Be careful not to drip water
    onto or into your PC components!
     2.  You may use a mild soap solution for heavier buildup (like thoroughly diluted
    dish soap in water).
     3.  A vinegar and water solution (one part white vinegar to four parts water) may
    also be used if you are dealing with ink, crayon, tape adhesive, etc.
     4.  Commercial cleaners may also be used to clean the outside of your PC, just
    remember to read the labels of any commercial cleaning products before
    applying it to your PC.
     5.  NEVER use "dry dusting" cleaning products (such as Swiffer) to clean your
    computer!  These cloths are statically charged and may damage your
    components.
     6.  Glass cleaner is safe for most metal and plastic surfaces on your PC, but may
    not be appropriate for glass surfaces, like monitor screens.  Some monitor
    screens have special coatings that can be damaged by glass cleaner.  NEVER
    use glass cleaner on an LCD screen, it will permanently damage the plastic
    coating!
     7.  Use canned air to clean dust and dirt from air vents and other openings of
your computer components.  Use short, controlled bursts of air.
8.   To help prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) and dust buildup, try using
    fabric softener mixed with water (one part fabric softener to ten parts water) to
    wipe down the plastic casing on your computer components.  Use this solution
    after you have thoroughly cleaned the outside of your components.  Again, be
    careful not to drip water onto or into your PC components!

Cleaning Your Mouse:

  1. Use a lint-free damp cloth to clean the mouse cover, buttons, and ball.  Use a
    lint-free swab dipped in denatured alcohol to loosen dirt, lint, and hair wrapped
    round the tracking rollers inside the mouse.  Use short, controlled bursts of
    canned air to clean out any loose particles that may be hidden inside your
    mouse.
  2. Optical mice have no ball to clean, but they do have an optical sensor behind a
    recessed lens.  To clean this lens, use a lint-free swab dipped in denatured
    alcohol diluted with water.

Cleaning Your Keyboard:

  1. Use canned air and a soft-bristled brush to lift out dirt, crumbs, hair, etc. from
    between the keys.  Wipe down the exterior with a dampened lint-free cloth.  If
    necessary, you may use soapy water.  Be careful not to drip liquids onto or into
    your keyboard.
  2. After cleaning, it is standard practice to let your keyboard air-dry for 48 hours
    before plugging it back into the PC.

Cleaning Your Monitor:

FIRST AND FOREMOST:  Make sure your monitor is TURNED OFF AND
UNPLUGGED before cleaning!  Monitors store voltage even when they are turned
off.  NEVER remove your monitor cover.  NEVER spray cleaners directly on your
monitor screen, and NEVER use glass cleaner on an LCD screen, it will permanently
damage the plastic coating!  To properly clean your monitor:
  1. Use a lint-free cloth dampened with either plain water or a mild soap solution to
    clean your monitor cover.
  2. Use canned air to remove dust from your monitor's air vents.
  3. A vinegar and water solution (one part white vinegar to four parts water) or a
    commercial cleaner is recommended for cleaning the monitor screen.

Cleaning Your Printer and Other Peripherals:

  1. Clean your printer, scanner, and any other attached peripheral device in the
    same manner as your PC and monitor.
  2. Use a lint-free cloth dampened with water or a mild soap solution for general
    upkeep.
  3. For stubborn dirt and grime, use the vinegar and water solution mentioned
    above or use a commercial cleaning solution.
  4. Use canned air and a soft-bristled brush to remove dirt and dust from air vents
    and places you cannot reach with your cloth.


*Source: A+ Certification, Second Edition
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