Cleaning Computer Components - Lecture 2

7/28/2019 Cleaning Computer Components - Lecture 2

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Cleaning Mouse

• When to clean your mouse

• When an optical mouse needs cleaning, the mousepointer's movement will be sporadic, it may also jump

across the screen for no reason.

• When a mechanical mouse (ball mouse) needs cleaning,you will notice the mouse pointer sticking in one positionwhile you are moving it.

• To clean a mouse is fairly straightforward, it only takes10 minutes for a ball mouse, and even less time to cleanan optical mouse.



Basic Mouse Operation

• First, to understand what is happening when your mouse gets dirty, and clarify which parts will needcleaning, a brief word about how the different types of mouse work.

• How an optical mouse works

• An optical mouse uses light to track the movement of the mouse. An LED (Light Emitting Diode) produceslight which reflects back into a light sensor (Photodiode). The differences in the surface below themouse lens are scanned, as the mouse moves, thesurface changes, the direction is calculated and the

movement is simulated by the mouse pointer.

If any foreign object, such as a hair or piece of dust,were to disturb the communication of light between theLED and the sensor, it would result in very unexpectedbehaviour!



Basic Mouse Operation

• How a mechanical mouse (ball mouse)works

• As you move the mouse on a flat surface,the ball inside turns a set of 3 rollers. Eachroller is set at a different angle to itscounterparts, as the rollers are turned,signals are sent to the computer. Thecomputer then interprets these signals intothe movement of the mouse pointer onyour screen.

• For this reason, it is important to keep therollers and the ball inside your mouseclean, any piece of dust/debris, no matter how small, can make your mouse behaveabnormally.



Other way to clean mechanical mouse

• Mouse ball or rollers easily accumulate dirt even if you cover themouse when you do not use it. This affects the cursor movement. Toavoid this, you need to clean the mouse ball and rollers.

To clean the mouse, follow these steps:

• 1.Switch off the PC.

• 2.Disconnect the mouse from the computer.

• 3.Locate the cover at the back of the mouse. Open the cover

• 4.Remove the ball from the bottom of the mouse.

• 5.Wash the ball in a soapy water to remove the dirt.

• 6.Clean the rollers with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol.• 7.Dry the ball and rollers with a lint-free cloth.

• 8.Put the ball and cover back in place.

• 9.Connect the mouse to the computer.



How to clean an optical mouse•

Although optical mice usually require far less maintenance than their mechanicalcounterpart, they do need cleaning once in a while.

To clean an optical mouse should take less than 5 minutes, so giving it a quickclean every month should be achievable, which will help ensure it keeps workingsmoothly.

The first step is to unplug your mouse. Optical mice usually connect to thecomputer via the USB port, if you have a USB mouse then you can remove itwithout switching off the computer. If, however, your mouse connects using adifferent connector, then you should switch your computer off first.

Once unplugged, look at the bottom of the mouse to locate the area where theLED and the lens is located.

Dampen the end of a cotton bud with a few drops of suitable cleaning fluid, never put fluid directly onto the mouse. Take the damp cotton bud and gently wipe thearea to remove any dust or residue, be very careful not to put any pressure on theLED or lens, and also, ensure that no excess fluid gets squeezed out of the cottonbud into the mouse. You may find turning the cotton bud between your fingers canbe effective. Once done, use a dry cotton bud to gently wipe over the area toensure it is dry.

• Place the mouse, right way up, and allow 2 minutes before you plug it back in.



How to clean a ball mouse

(mechanical mouse)• First, turn off your computer (unless you have a USB mouse) and then unplug your

mouse. Get to hand a soft tissue, along with some suitable cleaning fluid (windowcleaner is fine).

Notice the removable cover on the bottom of the mouse

•

• Turn the mouse cover anti-clockwise to release the ball (see fig 2.2 below), removethe cover and take the ball out (see fig 2.3 below).

Use the soft tissue to clean the mouse ball, be sure to remove all dust/hair/debris.



How to clean a ball mouse

(mechanical mouse)• Next, notice the 3 rollers within the mouse casing (fig 2.4), these are what we need to

clean next.

• You can improvise on how to clean the rollers, gently using your fingernail can getgood results. Whichever way you choose to clean them, make sure you remove alltraces of dust/debris, as the smallest piece can cause the mouse to behaveerratically.

When you have removed all traces of dust/dirt from the rollers, and the ball is niceand clean, simply put the ball back in and replace the cover, turning clockwise to lockit in place.

Plug the mouse back into your computer and your mouse should be as good as new.



Cleaning Keyboard

• We will guide you through with the aid of photos anddiagrams.

We have split the guide into two parts, the first part is for keyboards that just need a quick clean, the second partis for membrane keyboards (most standard keyboards)and includes removing the keys for a thorough cleaning.

To keep your keyboard in top condition the moderatecleaning could be done weekly, and the more thoroughclean could be done every 2 months (depending on use).



Cleaning Keyboard

• What you will need:

– lint free cloth.

– dry cloth or duster.

– suitable cleaning fluid (isopropyl alcohol).

– cotton buds.

– Can of compressed air or vacuum cleaner.

– Flat tip screwdriver (optional for thorough

clean).



MODERATE CLEANING

(Quick and Easy)

• First, shutdown your PC and remove the mains plug, unplug the keyboard(remember which socket) and hold it upside down to release any debrisfrom in between the keys (pressing the keys is a good way to release it).

If you have a can of compressed air then use it to blow any debris fromaround and under the keys, if not then use the hose of a vacuum cleaner toremove it.

Now take one of the cotton buds and put a couple of drops of the cleaningfluid on it, use the cotton bud to clean the sides of the keys as seen in Fig

1.1.



• After cleaning the sides of the keys take your lint free cloth anddampen it with your cleaning fluid (don't put the liquid directly on thekeyboard), give the surface of the keyboard a good wipe over usingthe cloth to trace the contours of the keys (see fig 1.2).

When you have finished give the keyboard a wipe over with the drycloth/duster, you should now have a nice clean keyboard, to clean itmore thoroughly follow the guide below.



Thorough Cleaning of Keyboard

(takes longer and requires patience)

• Standard membrane keyboards only(not laptops or non-membrane keyboards)

Shutdown your PC and remove the mains plug,unplug the keyboard (remember where it was pluggedin) and hold it upside down to release any debris frominbetween the keys.

This is where the patience comes in, make a note of the position of all the keys or you will have troubleputting them back correctly, alternatively just removethe letter keys A - Zfrom the keyboard (which is wherethe most of the dust/debris will be) and refer to fig1.4 as a reference to put them back.

All the keys can be removed although the larger keys(space bar, enter key, shift keys, backspace, capslock, etc) can be difficult to put back so you mightavoid removing them.

Remove the keys using the screwdriver, ease thescrewdriver under the key and gently lift the key topoff (see fig 1.3).

• note: don't forget to make a note of their position !!



Thorough Cleaning of Keyboard(takes longer and requires patience)

• When you have removed all the keys (except any keys you wish to avoid)use the compressed air (or vacuum cleaner) to remove any dust and debrisfrom inside the keyboard.

Now is a good time to give the keys a proper clean, for best results cleaneach one individually (the patience thing again) with the cloth and cleaningfluid, when clean, wipe them over with the dry cloth.

Before replacing the keys, take your lint free cloth and dampen it with your cleaning fluid (don't put the liquid directly on the keyboard), give the surfaceof the keyboard a good wipe over ensuring to clean as much as possibleany keys that you haven't removed.

When the keyboard is nice and clean replace the keys according to your

notes or if you have just removed the letter keys use fig 1.4 as a guide, toput the keys back on position the key in place and press gently but firmlyuntil it clicks home.

After replacing all the keys give the keyboard a quick wipe over with your dry cloth and you have a nice clean keyboard.



More detailed instruction to

clean the keyboard• Keyboard also accumulates dirt. This affects the working of thekeyboard and causes the keys to stick with the dust particles onbeing pressed. The dust particles can also cause short-circuit,which results in incorrect characters being displayed on the screen.Liquids such as tea or coffee spilled on the keyboard can alsocause a short-circuit. To avoid this, cover the keyboard when not inuse.

To clean the keyboard, follow these steps:

• 1.Switch off the computer.

• 2.Disconnect the keyboard from the computer.

• 3.Remove the key tops from the keyboard.

•4.Blow the dust using a vacuum cleaner.

• 5.Clean the key tops with a cotton swab dipped in denaturedalcohol.

• 6.Dry the key tops with a lint-free cloth.

• 7.Put the key tops back in place8.Connect the keyboard to thecomputer



How to clean an LCD screen (TFT/LCD

computer monitor or laptop screen)


• a soft, anti-static cloth (for the plastic casing) (if required).

• microfibre* (lint-free) cloth (similar to eyeglass cloths).

• suitable cleaning fluid for the monitor's plastic case.

• suitable LCD screen cleaning fluid or distilled water**.

• * microfibre cloths can be found in automotive and electronic stores. A goodsubstitute would be the soft cloth used to clean eyeglasses, or in an emergencya very clean oldpure cotton t-shirt. Never use paper products like tissue!

** for some screens the water may be mixed with isopropyl alchohol for stubborn

marks, BUT always check the manufacturers instructions for your particular model. If in doubt and suitable LCD screen cleaner is not obtainable, use justwater (preferably distilled).

• Safety First Before cleaning your monitor, disconnect the monitor from the power supply andthe computer. In the case of a laptop/notebook screen, ensure the system is

turned off. If possible, remove the battery.



How to clean an LCD screen (TFT/LCD

computer monitor or laptop screen)

• If you are going to clean the monitor casing, do it before you cleanthe screen. Spray the anti-static cloth with a suitable cleaner (don't spray the fluid directly onto the monitor/laptop) and wipe themonitor's casing (be careful not to touch the screen with the clothor cleaning solution).

• To clean the screen, gently wipe the dry microfibre cloth acrossthe surface of the screen (in straight lines) to remove any dust.

• If there are stubborn marks, put some of the LCD cleaning fluid(or water) onto themicrofibre cloth and gently clean the area(never spray fluid directly onto the LCD screen, alwaysspray/apply onto the cloth)

• Ensure the screen/monitor is completely dry before use.



Cleaning a CRT

(Cathode Ray Tube) monitor


• a soft, anti-static cloth.

• a lint-free cloth.

• screen cleaning fluid (glass cleaner is usually ok).

• CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors can be cleaned in much the same wayas conventional tube televisions.

• Use the anti-static cloth and a suitable cleaner for the plastic casing of themonitor.

• Spray the screen cleaning fluid onto the lint-free cloth (never spray directlyonto the screen) and wipe the monitor's screen in straight lines.

• Ensure the monitor is completely dry before you reconnect the power.



http://www.wiscocomputing.com/articles/maintenance.htm

http://www.helpwithpcs.com/maintenance/mouse_problem_maintenance.htm

http://www.helpwithpcs.com/maintenance/cleaning-keyboard.htm

http://www.proprofs.com/certification/comptia/a-plus/study-

guide/pm/pages/disk_defrag.shtml



http://www.proprofs.com/certification/comptia/a-plus/study-guide/pm/pages/disk_defrag.shtml











Cleaning Computer Components - Lecture 2

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