Technology

How can I clean my PC without damaging any parts?

There’s no need to go buy a lot of expensive cleaning tools. A few household items are all you really need to keep your computer sparkling.

Anti-static cloth or dusting rag.
Solution of ammonia and water.

If you choose to use a vacuum cleaner to clean your computer, purchase those that are designed specifically for computer cleaning because they do not generate as much static as household vacuums.

Cleaning Your PC To clean the keyboard, pick it up and hold it at an angle. Blow air down through the keys to clear any debris. Dust forms in places other than the keyboard and monitor. While the fan is doing its job pulling air across the motherboard and processor, it is also the entry point for dust and debris to the interior of your PC. Before you attempt to clean this very important part of your PC, power off your computer and remove the power cord before opening the case.

Start with your compressed air and blow the outside of the fan. This should be enough to clean it, but if the buildup won't blow off, clean the fan blades with a cloth and ammonia solution. Next, blow out the inside of the PC. Dust and debris really build up here and in the cooling fan of the processor. It is a good idea to give this area a cleaning with the compressed air.

Do not turn the can of compressed air upside down as the liquid will come out and could cause some damage. Once this is done, give the general area around the board a short, quick blast from your compressed air to this area. Replace the case and return the power cord to the back of the PC.

Now were ready to wrap this up, so let's use some more of our ammonia solution and clean the outside of the case and monitor. It is important to put the solution on the cloth and not directly on the computer.

Liquid could leak in to the PC and cause problems to the circuitry inside. The more frequently you clean, the less build up you'll have. So keep 'em clean and keep 'em running.

Top Reasons to Have Your Computers Built Locally

When your business needs new computers, you might want to look beyond the big companies such as Dell, HP or Gateway and consider local vendors who assemble so-called white box computers from industry-standard parts.

Ask around about local computer stores, both among your friends and business partners and on local bulletin boards. Check whether any complaints have been lodged with the BBB. Decide on a configuration and get a written estimate, then compare that with the prices asked by the national vendors. Here is why local computer stores might be a good choice for you:

They are are more likely to value you as a customer. After all, you may be 1/1000th of their annual sales, rather than 1/1000,000th of the sales of a big company.

They are more flexible. Do you want an Intel or AMD processor? A particular motherboard? A hard drive or DVD burner by a specific manufacturer? They can provide that, while the major brands often restrict your options.

They have a low overhead. While large companies can buy components more cheaply, they also spend millions on advertising. The local store can often compete on price, particularly when you upgrade the configuration offered by the big brands to something that is actually usable.

They use standard parts. Some of the big names in computers use proprietary parts, such as power supplies, that cannot be replaced with industry-standard parts. With a local computer store, you can specifiy exactly what you want to get.

They don't pre-load your computer with useless software. All the trial and demo version of AOL and other programs can really clutter your computer. If your local store installs Windows, that is all that will be on your computer

They have real geeks. This is meant as a compliment - while phone support for national brands often consists of people reading you scripts and trying to get you off the phone as soon as possible, small local computer stores may be run by people extremely knowledgeable about hardware.

T hey are local. If your computer breaks down, you can simply drive it to the store, instead of having to ship it to a repair center, and then wait ... and wait ... for the manufacturer to ship it back to you.