Cleaning Your Computer

When you have a fan (any kind of fan), and run it for a long period of time without cleaning it off, you'll notice that the fan does not put out as much air as it once did. This is because all the dust and air debris get caked onto the fan blades and causes the air circulation to slow down, thus, you don't get as much cooler air coming from the fan. In other words, it's not working as it's really supposed to work. The same holds true for your computer system.

We're all familiar with defragging, cleaning up disc space, clearing out old files and folders we don't need anymore, cleaning our registry...and so forth. However, do we think about getting in there and actually cleaning the computer itself? I don't mean dust it off and wipe the monitor screen down. I mean CLEANING the entire computer, inside and out.

A computer, much like a high velocity fan, slows down in performance over time IF it's allowed to build up natural dust, dirt and debris. So in order to keep your computer system really running at it's very best, cleaning it is very important. Here's how:

Step 1: Shut down the computer system completely. Turn everything completely off that's even remotely connected to your computer system, EXCEPT your Internet connections (i.e.: cable modem box, wireless modems, DSL boxes, etc).
Step 2: Make sure you have a vacuum cleaner, a few SOFT bristle small brushes (craft brushes, make up brushes, etc... make sure they are ultra clean and preferably new), and proper room to work in.
Step 3: CAREFULLY take the sides off your computer tower, and place them away from your work area (it's also a good idea to keep pets out of the work area as well to cut down on pet dander and pet curiosity).
Step 4: Turn the vacuum on, and, using one of the softer small brushes, GENTLY brush any dust and debris into the hose of the vacuum. NEVER place the vacuum hose or direct vacuum pressure ON any of your computer parts. It can destroy them.
Step 5: While vacuuming, make sure that your power box fan slats (found on the exterior of the back of your tower), and CPU fans (found as miniature fans on the inside of your tower) are cleaned thoroughly.
Step 6: Once everything is nice and clean, put the sides of the computer tower back on (securely) and place your tower back in its original position.
NOTES: NEVER touch any computer parts with your vacuum cleaner. Not only can the vacuum pressure itself cause damage to your computer parts, but the relatively sharp edges of the hose extension can scratch computer parts, and cause further damage than just from the vacuum pressures alone.
And, as always, make sure that when you clean the external areas of your computer, that you never use any cleaning product that is directly sprayed onto the computer parts. Use a cloth or paper towel, and spray the cleaning products onto that and THEN gently clean off the outside of your system. Remember, computers are NOT as 'tough' as stereos and television sets. Therefore, a little TLC will go a long way in extending the life of your computer (which, in the long run, will also save you a lot of money).