Computer and Printer Maintenance
To keep a computer going, place it in a "healthy" environment with plenty of air circulation around the computer and its peripherals. When a computer is not in use, protect its keyboard, monitor, screen, and printer with an anti-static dust cover.

Use a vacuum to remove dust and dirt that has settled inside the keyboard. There's a handheld computer vacuum sold at computer stores and through computer mail order sources that is designed to get into these small areas.

Clean the keys and computer case with a soft, damp cloth. There are cleaning solutions specifically made for cleaning the keyboard and other plastic parts but a dampened rag dipped in water works fine, too. Do not use harsh household cleaners or any solvent-based cleaner on the plastic parts. Clean the screen with a soft rag dampened with window cleaner, don't spray it on. Do not use strong household cleaners or those with abrasive elements. You will find a whole array of cleaning aids at most large computer stores. They carry presaturated cleaning pads and static-free cloths and cleaning fluids especially formulated for cleaning a computer.

Most manufacturers recommend cleaning the floppy disk drive periodically. Purchase a cleaning kit for either a 5 1/4-in. disk or 3 1/2-in. disk or one for each if you have two different-sized floppy disks drives in your system. Follow the instructions provided in the disk cleaning kit exactly. Unless your system has no hard disk drive and has only floppy disks, cleaning once or twice a year is sufficient.

Don't eat or drink around the computer. if you do and accidentally spill some liquid on the keyboard, turn the computer off immediately. Unplug the keyboard from the computer and turn it upside down so the liquid can drain. Set the keyboard aside to dry overnight before you attempt to use it again.

While most computer printers are designed to require little routine
maintenance, there are a few things your can do to assure that they stay
reliable. Check your owner's manual for particular maintenance routines.

When your printer is not being used, cover it to protect it from airborne dust and dirt. If you do this religiously, most of the other tasks will be easy.

At least once a month, more often if your printer is in a dusty or smokefilled area, vacuum the inside free of paper dust and other debris. Be careful not to damage the flex ribbon cable and the carriage drive belt. Then wipe the case with a damp soft rag. Don't use harsh household cleaners or abrasive cleaners.

Written by the editors of HouseNet
Copyright HouseNet, Inc.

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