Happy Clean Out Your Computer Day!

Today, the 9th of February is designated Clean Out Your Computer Day. Yea, I know, there's a lame day named for just about everything it seems, but this one could serve as a good reminder. It's sponsored by the Institute for Business Technology to encourage people to organise and prune their computer files to make it easier to be productive.

The original focus was on cleaning up and organising your computer's file system and documents, which is worthwile in itself. But for anybody that's interested, I'm gonna add a bunch of suggestions here for cleaning the actual & virtual gunk out of the operational parts of computers as well, since that's an area that's often ignored, usually because folks aren't just sure how to go about it. (For that reason, I'm gonna write this from the perspective of someone who knows very little about getting around a computer.)

Can you stand the excitement?

First, the part you use every day... your keyboard. Does yours look like it's been used by a grubby 4 yr. old? (or has it actually been used by said youngster?) The first thing to do is turn it upside down (yes, the keyboard, people) and tap its 4 edges sharply and alternately on your desk to dislodge the last year's worth of lunch, dustbunnies and pet hair. Then use a cloth dampened with vinegar or ideally a disinfectant wipe to really scrub all that dirt/oil mixture off the keys and handrest. You can use a Q-tip to get the edges and between keys if you've had something drip. (Ewwww...) While you're at it, wipe down your phone receiver and buttons too. I'll bet they need it.

Next, grab a Kleenex or some toilet paper. It's time to wipe all the fingerprints & lung butter off your monitor. (These instructions assume a regular CRT monitor, not an LCD flat panel) Don't use paper towel if possible as it's more abrasive & might scratch the antireflective coating most monitors use. The absolute best liquid to use is eyeglass cleaner, as it's actually designed for coated glass. Barring that, water with a couple of drops of vinegar added is a good substitute. Never spray the monitor! Always dampen the cloth, then wipe down the screen. While you've got the damp cloth, wipe the dust off the top of the monitor, and off the sloping, slotted surface at the back. Those are the air vents, & dust can really cause the monitor to overheat.

The last part of the physical cleaning is the most involved, but also stands to provide the greatest benefit. It really is a good idea to clean the inside of your tower or desktop case. As with the monitor vents, dust inside your computer can interfere with the system's ability to cool itself, resulting in reduced performance or even outright failure. Believe me, even if you've never been inside your computer, it's not dificult.

So, since I know the suspense is killing you, on with the thrills!

If you're going to do this part properly, you need the right tool: either a can of compressed air (from a computer or office supply store or photo shop) or one of the big blower bulbs photographers use to clean their lenses. (not the piddly little ones with a brush on the end - nothing worse than a weak blow umm... job). Either one will cost about $8 to $10. (The tools, you perv! Oh nevermind)

Before starting, it's best if you can unplug the unit & move it somewhere you don't mind making a mess. The garage or outside is ideal. Maybe this would be a good time to figure out & label where all those cords & plugs go? (hint: many of them are colour-coded these days)

Once you have the machine where you want to clean it, the only hard part of this task is figuring out how to get the case off your box. If you're lucky, it's just a matter of undoing 2 or 3 screws at the back to allow one side of your case to slide off. There might even be just a quick release lever or button as on the newer Dell cases. Older machines will likely need the 6 Phillips screws located around the perimeter of the back edges undone so the whole top and sides can come off as a unit.

Now that the internals of the computer are exposed, you're going to blow air over all the surfaces, and duck when the dust comes gusting out. A few words of warning. It's best not to actually touch any of the components, to avoid any risk of damage by static electricity. Also, under no circumstances should you use a vacuum! You are almost guaranteed electrical damage if you do. Lastly, if you're using compressed air, do not shake the can or turn it upside down while spraying, as this can cause the liquid propellant to spray out with the air.

After getting most of the dust sprayed out, pay particular attention to the fans you can find, and especially the heat sinks. These are aluminum plates with fins or combs sticking up, which allow heat to dissipate quickly, assuming they're not clogged by dust. There will be one on the processor, often with a fan on top, and likely one on the video card as well. (It's the card sticking up that has the monitor connector attached to it on the outside of the case.) Also give a good going over to the fan area of the power supply, which can be blown out through the grill on the back of the machine near the power plug outlet.

Once you've blown out all the dust you can find, reassemble the case, and return the machine to it's usual location. Plug the cables back into the computer, and you're ready to go on to the virtual cleanup!

In order not to wear you out with too much excitement all at once, that'll come in another post a little later today.

Comments

[Burnt Fuse]

Funny you should mention it..I've been purging crapola off my machine the last couple of days. Gonna do it on a friend's machine that is severely constipated, tomorrow. Should be joy. Heh.

[Bogie]

Unplugging the CPU before blowing it out is very important. Yes, I stupidly did that once with it plugged in - not pretty (and to be fair, I had plugged/unplugged it several times in that sitting and thought is wasn't plugged in at that point - obviously it was though).

So if your as forgetful as I am, have someone else check to make sure you've unplugged it!

[Da Goddess]

I'll wait here for you. When you're done with my computer, I'll be happy to send you thank you e-cards.