How To Keep Your Laptop In Top Shape

| Posted: 15-05-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 24 | Rating: (215)

(?)

Foreign particles such as dust, pet hair and dander, cigarette ash, and residue can cut the life of your laptop short. If left unattended, these particles can affect the performance of fans, causing the components to overheat. And we all know what comes after that. If you want to get your money's worth from your laptop, you'll have to keep it clean.

Cleaning your laptop should be done at least once a year, as part of your maintenance program. Don't worry, you won't have to spend a dime hiring a computer technician or a specialist to do this. Just check your user's manual and follow these quick tips:

What You'll Need

Aside from time, patience and steady hands, you'll need a few cotton swabs, compressed air, cleaning solution, and a soft cleaning cloth, like your old cotton shirts.

Cleaning the Exterior

Use a soft damp cloth to clean the casing - make sure it's damp, not dripping wet. And use a cotton cloth, keep away from scratchy or abrasive cloths. Also, stick to mild cleaning products for this task, and remember to spray it on the cloth first. Never spray the cleaning agent directly onto the surface of the computer.

The Cooling Vents

You'll need a can of compressed air and cotton swabs for the cleaning vents. Just be careful not to spray too hard as you might get liquid on the fan blades. Use the swabs to keep the fans in place while you clean it. Don't spin the fan while cleaning or you could cause it to over spin.

I/O Ports

The I/O ports should only be moved after the vents have been cleaned. Use the swabs to wipe away larger chunks of accumulated dirt. You may use compressed air as well, just be careful not to blow dirt into the ports.

Display

Turn off your laptop before cleaning the display, this way you see dirt more easily. Use non-abrasive cloth such as cotton cloths or pre-moistened wipes - never tissues or paper towels - to clean your display. When using a cloth, you will need a monitor cleaning solution. Steer clear from amonia-based cleaners as these solutions leave a mark - more specifically, they leave a film on the display. If you can't get monitor cleaning solution at your local computer shop, you can make your own by mixing one part water and one part isopropyl alcohol.

Keyboard

You can use compressed air to get rid of dirt stuck between the keys on your keyboard. If your user's manual allows you to remove the keys for cleaning, then do so. You can take them all out and wash them with mild cleaning solution and a old toothbrush or cotton swabs. Just make sure you don't lose a key and you put them back in the right place.

Like they say, prevention is always better than the cure. Sure, you can always clean your laptop - in this case, you must - but it would be much better if you kept it as clean as possible. You can do this by always keeping it away from food and drink. Make sure your fingers are also clean before you start working, or you'll transfer residue on your laptop. And when not in use, try to keep it in a computer briefcase or any sort of protective covering.

Rate this Article:

Current: 4 / 5 stars - 2 vote(s).

Article Tags: Laptop Maintenance

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/how-to-keep-your-laptop-in-top-shape-415388.html

Print article

Send to friend

Publish this Article

Author feedback

About the Author:
You wouldn't have to clean your laptop if you keep it in a computer briefcase and use personalized coaster sets to keep drink away from it. If you must, a pink Swiss Army knife makes the cleaning process fun. Visit ExecutiveGiftShoppe.com today.

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Add new Comment

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Q&A Powered by:

Latest Computers Articles

Overclocking Gaming Laptops: Getting Higher Performances for Less Money
By: Titus Hoskins | 19/07/2008
Many gamers and computer enthusiasts use "Overclocking" to achieve higher performances from their computers for less money. Learn about overclocking and discover how you can also get higher performances for less money...

How to Make a Website on Your Own Domain
By: Richard Adams | 19/07/2008
Provides advice for the new webmaster on how to make a website on your own domain name for the first time.

Use a Ntp Server to Keep Precise Network Time
By: David Evans | 18/07/2008
It is quite simple to synchronise every device on your network to an accurate time reference - a NTP time server.

The IPod Classic - Making a Sound Decision When Buying an IPod For Your Teenager
By: Jack Spence | 18/07/2008
Like most parents in North America, when it comes to getting gifts for our kids we are always inclined to get the newest, or the hottest, or the flashiest. This year the model with buzz was the iPod Touch. And while several of my friends were getting their kids the...

Why Websites Fail to Make Money
By: Marilyn Katz | 18/07/2008
Only a small percentage of people make a good living from their websites, even though many people work hard. Let's cut to the chase of why so many online marketers fail.

How to Prepare a CD or DVD Disc Master
By: Guy Phillips | 18/07/2008
The preparation of the CD or DVD disc master for a duplication or replication project is the most important part of the entire process. Prepping the master correctly will eliminate any problems or delays in completing the project. The master is going to be copied exactly as it is submitted...

How to Make a Website Fast and Easy
By: Richard Adams | 17/07/2008
A variety of resources that will enable the reader to set up a high quality website for free or very low cost are discussed here.

Basic Considerations For Web Design
By: Dennis Goodwin | 16/07/2008
Successful web design centers around the principle of always considering the experience of the audience first and foremost. Thus, before creating a website or webpage and uploading it to the Internet, the webpage designer must consider the website's anticipated audience and/or targeted market. What will their experience be? Doing so...

More from Bradlley Mckoy

He Pays, She Pays: A General Guide to Wedding Expenses
By: Bradlley Mckoy | 24/06/2008 | Marriage
Organizing your own wedding is never easy. Setting a budget is even harder. But it's also the most important thing in planning a wedding. So go ahead and talk to your groom and your families about the expenses. But before you do that, read this article so you don't have...

Wake Up And Make Business Presentations That Will Make Your Audience Stay Up!
By: Bradlley Mckoy | 24/06/2008 | Marketing
When delivering a business presentation, it is essential that you are able to present all the aspects, including all necessary data about a business undertaking or project. Sure, you know this and you are perfectly capable of coming up with a comprehensive presentation. But the problem with business presentations is...

Great Outdoor Meals for the Ultimate Camping Experience
By: Bradlley Mckoy | 24/06/2008 | Food and Beverage
Camping outdoors means a lot of fun, excitement, and a lot of blah tasting canned goods - well, not if you have carefully planned and packed your meals. Unless you're camping outside your home, you won't be anywhere close to a fast food restaurant. So if you're planning a 3-day...

Grocery Marketing Ploys: Avoid the Tricks, Get the Treats
By: Bradlley Mckoy | 24/06/2008 | Finance
How many times have you strayed away from your budget by buying two packs of soda because of an offer to save 20% if you buy two? It's just an extra buck or so, you tell yourself. A dollar past your budget may not be much, but with this habit...

Hitchhiking: Thumbs-Up?
By: Bradlley Mckoy | 24/06/2008 | Travel
Have you tried hitchhiking? It's fun, and the adventure is its own reward, but you have to know how to play it safe. You can't flaunt your worldly goods, including your loaded money clip or wallets, in case there are greedy eyes around. These tips will help you smarten up...

Travel on the Cheap With Your Money Clip
By: Bradlley Mckoy | 23/06/2008 | Travel
Finding it impossible to give you family a summer break? Think again. There are ways to travel on the cheap with your money clip. Can You Afford a Summer Break? With prices rocketing to astronomical highs, the prospect of vacationing with children this summer can dampen one's insatiable wanderlust. But before ditching...

Keeping Safe In A Foreign Land
By: Bradlley Mckoy | 06/06/2008 | Travel
To most people, traveling to a foreign place means fun and the discovery of new places, friendly places, and exotics palates. And while this is true, tourists should also learn how to anticipate unfavorable and unforeseen circumstances that might just end up ruining the whole point of the trip. Every traveler...

Overcoming The Fear Factor In Public Speaking
By: Bradlley Mckoy | 06/06/2008 | Self Help
You're asked to go to the front of the class to discuss the angst of Proust's literary work or to demonstrate how a pulley works. You're confident about the topic. It's the thought of speaking in front of the class that terrifies you, yet there's no escape. How to survive?...

Article Categories

Article Marketing

Article Notepad

Stop Duplicate Content

Term Papers

Need Help?

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (1.29, 9)