General Do and Don’t about the Computer:

By completing general do and don’t about the computer, you will be able to understand and learn the following;

How to maintain Computers cleanly?

When we maintain the computer that’s time we should use the following general do and don’t about the computer;

Do:

  • Always shut down your computer properly.
  • Do regular Scan disk to check the hard disk surface for damage.
  • Defragment the hard drive periodically.
  • Delete all files and programs you no longer need from your computer.
  • Use an anti-virus program to prevent a virus on your computer.
  • Back up data to floppy disks or zip disks to ensure you have a copy.

Don’t:

  • Do not eat around the computer.
  • Do not drink around the computer.
  • Do not use magnets around a computer.

How to take care of the disks?

Do:

  • Delete all files you no longer need from your disk.
  • Use an anti-virus program to scan for viruses on a disk.

Don’t:

  • Do not use magnets around a disk.
  • Do not separate the disk.
  • Do not remove the disk while it is in use.
  • Do not store in extremely hot or cold locations.
  • Do not spill liquids on the disk.
  • Do not try to erase and record information on a disk by write-protecting it.

Cleaning Hardware:

  • Follow instructions in the manual or in help files that came with the computer or other hardware devices.
  • Before cleaning anything, unplug it from the electrical wall socket.

When to clean a computer:

  • Computers do not need to be cleaned too often if they are kept in a clean environment.
  • Clean the computer when it looks dirty or when a device (like a mouse) does not work right.
  • The two things that need the most cleaning are the screen and mouse.

Materials needed for cleaning a computer:

  • Most cleaning materials can be found in a home or any store;
    • soft lint-free cloth’s
    • soapy water – a drop or two of dish-washing detergent in a gallon of water
    • cotton swabs
    • eraser
    • water spray bottle to hold the soapy water
    • used fabric softener cloth
  • You may have to buy the following at a computer or office supply store;
    • floppy disk drive cleaner kit
    • CD-ROM drive cleaner kit
    • compressed air

Cleaning the case and other plastic surfaces:

  • Use a damp lint-free cloth to clean the case.
    • Spray the water on the cloth. Never spray water on a computer or other electrical or other electrical devices.
    • Wipe the surfaces with the damp cloth.
  •  For more difficult marks use the eraser. An ink eraser works best.
  • For cracks and tight places, use a slightly damp cotton swab.

Cleaning a monitor’s screen:

  • Wipe the screen with the damp lint-free cloth.
  • Use a dry cloth to dry the screen.
  • Use fabric softener cloth to help remove static charges on the screen.
    • static charges attract dust to the screen.
    • a fabric softener cloth has anti-static chemicals on it.
    • wipe the screen very lightly with the used fabric softener cloth.
    • Do not use a fresh fabric softener cloth. It will leave streaks.

Cleaning the keyboard:

  • Use a slightly damp cotton swab to clean in-between the keys.
  • Wipe the outside of the keyboard with a damp cloth.
  • Use compressed air to remove paper pieces and dust from under the keys.
  • Do not take a keyboard apart to clean it! You may not get it back together again.

Cleaning a mouse:

  • Clean the outside of the mouse with a damp cloth.
  • To clean the inside of the mouse.
    • Take the mouse apart.
      • turn the mouse upside down.
      • rotate the retaining ring until it comes free.
      • turn the mouse right-side up and catch the ring and ball in your hand.
    • Use damp cotton swabs to clean the rollers inside the mouse. Be sure to rotate the rollers to get all of the dirt off them.
    • Wash the ball in warm soapy water. Wipe dry with a lint-free cloth.
    • Blow out the inside of the mouse to remove any dust.
    • Put the mouse back together after it has dried.

Inside the computer’s case:

  • The inside of the computer rarely has to be cleaned and it is not recommended that this be done.
  • If you must clean inside your computer follow the following precautions.
    • Be very careful. You can easily damage the computer or hurt yourself.
    • Do not touch the chips or other electrical components.
    • Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust carefully.
    • Use compressed air or the blower option on a vacuum cleaner to blow out dust and other particles.

Floppy disk drives and other drives with removable media:

  • Follow the instructions on the cleaning kit.
  • Do not clean your drives too often, especially the floppy disk drive. The cleaning disk is slightly abrasive and can wear down the drivers read/write heads.