Tips for improving computer performance usually concentrate on streamlining and maintaining operating systems, boosting speed with new RAM, upgrading video and so on. However, you can give your machine a speed and reliability upgrade easily with the help of a vacuum cleaner and a soft brush.
A build-up of dust on vents, components and fans ruins your machine's ability to keep its cool, and when a computer runs at a high temperature, it goes more slowly.
In the worst-case scenario, your cards, power supply units and motherboards can fail entirely. On a more basic level, dirt and dust can gum up moving parts and affect performance.
Here, we'll show you how to physically clean your PC, keyboard and monitor. As a bonus, we'll also tell you how to keep your computer grime-free once you've fettled it. You'll add years to the life of your hardware and improve its performance.
Before you begin, remember that PC cleaning is a serious job that - depending on how far you want to take it - will require some technical skills. As a gauge, if you're comfortable with fitting new memory or upgrading a video card in your PC, you should be able to complete all the steps.
Gear up, power down
Start by assembling your tools. You'll need a small, soft brush - the kind you might use for painting a window or door frame. Make-up brushes are also ideal. Go for the best quality you can afford, because economy ones often tend to shed hairs.
A can of compressed air, which should be available from most computer retailers and hardware shops, is also required. Make sure you have soft, general cleaning cloths for the exterior of your machine and the computer's cabling.
The final essential tool is a full-sized vacuum cleaner with a nozzle attachment, or a fully charged handheld device. Some other tools may be handy, but aren't necessities. For example, an anti-static wristband will prove useful once you've opened up the computer.
You might also want to use a switch cleaner, which is a spray solvent that eats dust and can be used on ports and contacts. These aids can be bought cheaply from Maplin or larger computer retailers.
Switch off your computer and unplug it from the mains. If you've been using it, you should leave it to stand for at least 30 minutes before you begin the cleaning routine. This will give internal components a chance to cool down, and also reduce the risk of electric shock from any stored charge that may potentially injure you or damage your computer.
Carefully unplug all your peripherals and input devices, then set the cables to one side, because you'll be giving them special attention.
Place your computer on a raised surface - an empty table or desk will do fine. Attempting to spring clean with the computer on the floor or in another awkward place will just make things more difficult. You're now ready to begin
A build-up of dust on vents, components and fans ruins your machine's ability to keep its cool, and when a computer runs at a high temperature, it goes more slowly.
In the worst-case scenario, your cards, power supply units and motherboards can fail entirely. On a more basic level, dirt and dust can gum up moving parts and affect performance.
Here, we'll show you how to physically clean your PC, keyboard and monitor. As a bonus, we'll also tell you how to keep your computer grime-free once you've fettled it. You'll add years to the life of your hardware and improve its performance.
Before you begin, remember that PC cleaning is a serious job that - depending on how far you want to take it - will require some technical skills. As a gauge, if you're comfortable with fitting new memory or upgrading a video card in your PC, you should be able to complete all the steps.
Gear up, power down
Start by assembling your tools. You'll need a small, soft brush - the kind you might use for painting a window or door frame. Make-up brushes are also ideal. Go for the best quality you can afford, because economy ones often tend to shed hairs.
A can of compressed air, which should be available from most computer retailers and hardware shops, is also required. Make sure you have soft, general cleaning cloths for the exterior of your machine and the computer's cabling.
The final essential tool is a full-sized vacuum cleaner with a nozzle attachment, or a fully charged handheld device. Some other tools may be handy, but aren't necessities. For example, an anti-static wristband will prove useful once you've opened up the computer.
You might also want to use a switch cleaner, which is a spray solvent that eats dust and can be used on ports and contacts. These aids can be bought cheaply from Maplin or larger computer retailers.
Switch off your computer and unplug it from the mains. If you've been using it, you should leave it to stand for at least 30 minutes before you begin the cleaning routine. This will give internal components a chance to cool down, and also reduce the risk of electric shock from any stored charge that may potentially injure you or damage your computer.
Carefully unplug all your peripherals and input devices, then set the cables to one side, because you'll be giving them special attention.
Place your computer on a raised surface - an empty table or desk will do fine. Attempting to spring clean with the computer on the floor or in another awkward place will just make things more difficult. You're now ready to begin
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