Hardware Cleaning Tips - 1

Case cleaning

Case cleaning keeps the appearance of the computer looking new. During cleaning, if ventilation locations are found, these can be cleaned helping the case keep a steady airflow to the computer, keeping components cool and in good working condition.

The plastic case that houses the PC components can be cleaned with a lint-free cloth that has been slightly dampened with water. For stubborn stains, add a little household detergent to the cloth. It is recommended that you never use a solvent cleaner on plastics.

Make sure all vents and air holes are hair and lint free by rubbing a cloth over the holes and vents. It is also helpful to take a vacuum around each of the hole, vents, and crevices on the computer. It is safe to use a standard vacuum when cleaning the outside vents of a computer; however, if you need to clean the inside of the computer, use a portable battery powered vacuum to prevent static electricity.

General Cleaning Tips -1

How to maintain your PC

Below is a listing of general tips that should be taken when cleaning any of the components or peripherals of a computer as well as tips to help keep a computer clean.

• Never spray or squirt any liquid onto any computer component. If a spray is needed, spray the liquid onto a cloth and then use that cloth to rub down the component.

• You can use a vacuum to suck up dirt, dust, or hair around the computer on the outside case. However, do not use a vacuum for the inside of your computer as it generates a lot of static electricity that can damage the internal components of your computer. If you need to use a vacuum to clean the inside of your computer, use a portable battery powered vacuum designed to do this job or try using compressed air.
• When cleaning a component or the computer, turn it off before cleaning.

Tips to Speed Up Startup With a SSD or Hybrid Drive

The cheapest way to get the 50% startup speed boost is by buying a small SD card and using it to host just your startup files. Unfortunately, this method may also require reinstalling Windows which is too much work for an article that promised you wouldn’t need to change any settings.

The most expensive way to speed up your startup by 50% is to buy a full Solid State Drive (SSD). Then all you need to do is plug it into your computer and copy over all of your files, including your hidden boot sector. Your computer can do this overnight while you sleep using the free program, Clonezilla. After the files copy, you simply remove your old hard drive and use just the SSD.