Spring Cleaning for your Computer
By Mike McDanielFirst, make a backup of every possible data file. No need to backup programs if you have the original disks. If you downloaded programs, you should have the original download (before installation) saved on a disk or burned on a CD.
This step is here becase most folks don't do backups. The day will come (so many us us know the feeling) when it goes KaPow! and you realize how long ago or incomplete the backs were. Backups are a tough habit to build, so much time sitting in front of the monitor with a creeping blue line.
On to spring cleaning Dust can kill your computer, and with it, valuable information you thought you had backed up.
At least twice a year clean your drives with an inexpensive cleaning kit. Vacuum any dirt off your cooling fan in the back. Clean the keyboard with a new paintbrush, get the gook out from between the keys. Clean the monitor screen as per directions in the monitor book.
While you are at it, reorganize your hard drive for greater efficiency. Run De-Frag. Search for files that haven't been modified in the last six months or year. If they're not being used, get them off your hard drive.
Put this project on a schedule and do it at time change month each year. That's April and October.
About The Author:
©2004 BIG Mike McDaniel, Professional Speaker and Former Major Market TV News Anchor. The BIG Ideas Group helps small business grow with mastermind groups, seminars and sales training.
MailTo:Mike@BIGIdeasGroup.com
http://BIGIdeasGroup.com
Subscribe to "BIG Mike's BIG Ideas" Newsletter MailTo:subscribe-956603364@ezinedirector.net
Feedback About This Post:
RE: Spring Cleaning for your Computer
I think that canned air is probably safer to use that a vacuum. As vacuums create a great amount of static electricity. Also, a air compressor could be used. For more detailed information go to http://www.jonfleck.com/2008/10/11/ ... p-do-it-yourself-cable-organization/ this article has some pretty good information on how to take the case apart as well as what areas should be blown out.
Post By Jose (Guest Post)
RE: Spring Cleaning for your Computer
You should never never use compressed air to clean out your computer. It can cause some serious damage and enhance system failure because compressed air accumulates water. A single drop of water can be catastrophic. Computer Cleaning Companies like www.tidytec.com offers a lost cost solution to cleaning your computer.
Post By Mike (Guest Post)
RE: Spring Cleaning for your Computer
It's best to clean the inside of the tower with a can of compressed air that can be purchased in the electronics department. Blow off the dust with the air and then wipe it off the bottom of the case with an anti-static cloth. This is the best way to clean and to avoid introducing static to the delicate parts inside the computer.
Of course, do this with everything unplugged from the back of the computer.
Post By Eric (Guest Post)
RE: Spring Cleaning for your Computer
If you know how to take the case off your tower, you should also clean the dust out of that as well. I use a hair dryer set on COOL. It blows it everywhere but better that than frying my motherboard. My husband runs a computer business, a large part of it is repair and general maintenance. He has opened cases that have had enough cat/dog hair inside to knit a new one. This stuff can kill your fan, which in turn can kill your computer.
I also tip my keyboard upside down and tap it several times a year - even if you've never eaten a bite at your computer you'll still get nasty mess from inside.
Post By Stacy (Guest Post)
Disclaimer: ThriftyFun.com cannot accept any responsibility for any injury or damage that you may cause to yourself, others, or property when following any advice given on this site. Read the full disclaimer: http://www.thriftyfun.comdisclaimer.ldml If you find any information on ThriftyFun.com or in our newsletters that is either erroneous and/or potentially harmful to others, please Contact Us, immediately.