This week I’d like to talk about how to maintain your computer from the inside out. As computers run all day long, their fans draw air in from the front and blow it out the back. This draws in dust, pet hair, and all sorts of ‘gunk’. I recommend every 6 months or so, to open up your computer case and vacuum out the dust. If this is left to build up, it will cause your computer to overheat and possibly crash. If you live with pets, I would do it every 3 months. For laptops it’s a bit trickier. You can use compressed air and blow out the laptop fan. Please be sure that the computer is not plugged in or turned on while performing this type of cleanup.

One of the most often asked questions I get is “How to I clean my screen?”. I prefer to use a soft micro fiber cloth and screen cleaning solution or eyeglass cleaner. Spray a light amount on the rag (never directly on the screen) and wipe the entire screen. Wipe the screen dry with a dry portion of the cloth or a second rag.

The outside of the case can also be vacuumed and cleaned with a soft cloth as well. Periodically turn your keyboard upside down and ‘shake out’ any loose debris.

Keeping your computer clean is the first step toward keeping it running smoothly.

Tags: Cleaning Computers | Screen Cleaner | Spring Cleaning