Ultimate PC Troubleshooting Guide

Step-by-Step: Keep Your PC Neat and Tidy

A clean PC is a happy PC. Accumulations of dirt, dust, smoke, and grime can cause all kinds of problems--from a jumpy mouse to a full system crash. Performing the following tasks every six months--or more often if your computer is in an exceptionally dusty or smoky room--should keep your system running smoothly.

1. Get the right tools. Computers need special cleaning supplies. See "PC Cleaning Closet" below for a list of proper cleaning items. And remember the supreme rule of PC cleaning: Never apply cleaning solution directly to the machine. Always spray cleaning solution on a rag.

2. Clean the case. Clogged air vents lead to overheating, which can slowly kill your PC. Clear all case openings--especially the vent for the power supply fan--of accumulated dust or other obstructions with a lint-free rag or compressed air. When spraying air, try not to blow the dust back into the case.

3. Clean the motherboard. Open your system (follow the guidelines in " Step-by-Step: Perform PC Surgery"). Try to remove dust with a small vacuum cleaner. Otherwise, blow out any dust with compressed air. Make sure you remove dust from the case, not just relocate it. Wipe surfaces with a lint-free rag or swab.

4. Clean the mouse. Cure jumpy cursors with a quick mouse cleaning. Rotate the circular cover on the underside of the mouse and remove the ball. Take a swab or the end of a paper clip and scrape any accumulated grime from each of the guide wheels in the cavity. Rub the mouse ball with a cloth to remove any oil or grime.

5. Clean the keyboard. Blow out dust from between keys with a shot of compressed air. Wipe surfaces with a smooth rag moistened with a diluted computer cleaning solution (both are available at your local computer store).

6. Clean the monitor. Monitors are literally dust magnets. Wipe dust from the screen with a damp, soft rag. If you need to use a cleaning solution to remove stuck-on dirt, make sure your monitor has no special coatings that may be damaged by cleaning solvents. Also, remember to remove dust from any vents or openings.

PC Cleaning Closet

Here's a list of cleaning supplies you'll need:

• Canned air: A PC janitor's best friend. Goes where wipes and brushes can't reach; $7.
  
  
• Contact cleaning solution: A special solution for removing dust, grime, and corrosion from the metal contacts on expansion cards; $10.
  
  
• Handheld vacuum cleaner: A real time-saver in a dusty environment; $35.
  
  
• Lint-free wipes and swabs: Won't leave unwanted residue as most rags and paper towels do; $9.
  
  
• PC cleaning solution: A circuit board-safe solution for cleaning the interior of a computer; $7.
  
  
• Small and medium-size brushes: Wonderful for cleaning those hard-to-reach nooks and crannies; $8.