Maintenance of Computer: Computer Hardware, Process of Maintaining Hardware

Back to: DATA PROCESSING SS 3

 

Welcome to class! 

In today’s class, we will be talking about the maintenance of the computer: computer hardware, the process of maintaining hardware. Enjoy the class!

Maintenance of Computer Hardware I

Maintenance of computer hardware is a way of taking care, repairing and replacing broken and failing computer hardware.

Maintenance is necessary on a computer to avoid hardware failure or losing valuable information and most times, hardware breaks without notice. Excess heat accelerates the deterioration of the delicate circuits in the system. Dust and dirt are the most common cause of overheating. Thus, cleaning a case is done to prevent components from overheating.

Computer hardware components attract dust, dirt, lint, carpet fibres, pet hair and smoke particles. The air from the computer cooling fan contains grime which settles on the components and causes overheating which eventually results in permanent hardware failure.

As a result of this, complete cleaning should be done at least once a year and if the computer is used in a hot, dusty moist environment, cleaning must be performed more frequently.

Process of maintaining computer hardware

General computer cleaning

• Step 1: Always shut down, power off the system before carrying out any computer maintenance.
• Step 2: Never sprays any liquid onto any computer component. Spray or pour the liquid on a lint-free cloth and wipe the PC with the cloth. Avoid product with certain cellulose which will leave streaks on your computer equipment. The use of paper towels or an old rag to clean delicate surfaces of a computer should be discouraged because paper products contain cellulose which can scratch delicate surfaces of your hardware.
• Step 3: Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dirt, dust, food and hair from keyboards.it is advisable to wear an anti-static wrist strap to reduce the transfer of static electricity from the body to the computer.
• Step 4: Do not apply cleaning solution including water directly to computer components.
• Step 5: Do not use your breath to blow the dust off the components because your breath contains moisture and the components are not built to be rustproof.
• Step 6: Sometimes, it is necessary to replace fans or physically wipe some computer components.
• Step 7: Do not use anything wet or damp inside the computer case.
• Step 8: Do not let any component or circuit board inside the computer case get wet or damp.
• Step 9: Do not attempt to clean the motherboard with a cloth as it may damage the electrical components. Use a slightly moist cloth to wipe off dust and grime inside the computer case.
• Step 10: Do not allow any drink around the machinery.
• Step 11: Avoid vibrations and shocks.

Tools for cleaning computer hardware

1. A clean non-abrasive cloth such as microfiber, cotton, T-shirt, cotton handkerchief should be used and avoid using paper towels, dish towels, facial tissue, old rag.
2. Portable vacuum.
3. Appropriate cleaning solution.
4. Cotton swabs.
5. Foam swabs.
6. DVD or CD-ROM cleaner.

Evaluation

1. State the steps involved in maintaining computer hardware
2. Mention six tools used in cleaning computer hardware

How to clean your mouse

• Step 1: Disconnect the mouse cable from the back of the computer case.
• Step 2: Lightly dampen a cleaning cloth with isopropyl alcohol and wipe down the outside of the computer mouse an mouse pad.
• Step 3: Remove the bottom cover of the mouse. To this, turn it over and note the directional arrows that indicate the direction of rotation, or how to slide it off. Press with your fingers in the direction of the arrows and then turn the mouse right side up, letting the cover and mouse ball drop into your hand.
• Step 4: Wipe the computer mouse ball with a lint-free cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol. Put it aside.
• Step 5: Dampen a swab with isopropyl alcohol and clean between, around and on top the keys. Change swabs as they become dirty. You may need several swabs.
• Step 6: Replace the mouse ball and cover.
• Step 7: Wipe the mouse cord. Lightly dampen a cleaning cloth with a mild soap solution and gently pull the cord through the cloth.
• Step 8: Plug the mouse back into the computer.

How to clean your monitor

• Step 1: Unplug the power supply cord and cable from the back of the monitor and allow it to cool for at least 20 minutes.
• Step 2: Vacuum the outside of the monitor, particularly the cooling grooves, holes or slots in the top surface where heavy dust or other debris may have collected. Blow compressed air in short puffs at an angle to the monitor surface. The goal is to remove dust and dirt without letting anything fall into the ventilation holes.
• Step 3: Lightly dampen a cloth with a mild soap solution and wipe down the outside plastic portions of the monitor.
• Step 4: Clean the monitor cables and power cord while they are disconnected. Lightly dampen a cloth with a mild soap solution and gently pull the cables and cords through the cloth.
• Step 5: Check the documentation or call the manufacturer to find out if your monitor screen has anti-glare, or other delicate coatings. If so, ask the manufacturer or cleaning instructions. If it does not have these special coatings you may spray a window cleaner unto a lint-free cloth and wipe it clean. Do not spray directly onto the screen. Chemicals may drip inside the monitor and damage it.
• Step 6: For dusty or dirty manufacturing environments use a computer dust cover to protect the monitor.

How to clean a keyboard

• Step 1: Remove the cable from the back of the computer case.
• Step 2: Use a vacuum cleaner to remove debris between the key. If no vacuum is available, turn the keyboard upside down and gently tap on the backside dislodge debris.
• Step 3: Aim between the keys and compressed air to remove remaining dust and debris. Use short puffs of air applied at about a 30-45 degree angle to the keyboard surface. Alternate between blowing the keys and tapping the keyboard upside down to dislodge particles until it is clean.
• Step 4: Lightly dampen a cloth with a mild soap solution and wipe down the outside of the keyboard. Do not spray soap solution directly onto the keyboard.
• Step 5: Dampen a swab with isopropyl alcohol and clean between, around and on top of the keys. Change swabs as they become dirty. You may need several swabs.
• Step 6: Wipe the keyboard cord. Lightly dampen a cleaning cloth with a mild soap solution and gently pull the cord through the cloth. Dry the cord with a dry cloth.
• Step 7: For dusty or dirty manufacturing environments a good keyboard cover is recommended.

Battery charging and replacement

This can be divided into two types which are:

1. Battery charging and replacement for a laptop
2. Battery charging and replacement for PC that used UPS.

How to charge a laptop battery

1. Plug your laptop into the socket and you can leave it there whenever possible.
2. You can recharge your laptop’s battery whether the battery is fully drained or not.
3. There is no need to fully drain your laptop’s lithium-ion battery every time you use it.
4. The lithium-ion battery has a rapid-charging option. This option is available either on a custom tab inside the Power option dialog box or from special battery software that came with your laptop.
5. Do not overcharge the battery, charge the battery when is getting low between 20%-10% and do not dry the battery.

For a PC using a UPS

1. The battery needed to be fully charged before use at least for 4 to 6 hours.
2. Ensure that the UPS is kept in contact o its electrical ground at all times. Do not overload
3. Do not let the UPS shut down by itself because it can damage the battery.

How to clean a DVD drive

1. Purchase DVD laser cleaning kit. The kit is comprised of a single disc that is designed to spin in your drive and remove all dust from the lens.
2. Place the CD/DVD laser lens cleaning disc inside your DVD drive’s tray. Close the tray and allow the CD spin in the drive. As it spins, it will clear your lens of most, if not all, of the dust that is on it.
3. Purchase a can of spray air. As an extra precaution, open your drive’s disc tray and gently spray a can of spray air into it. This will remove any of the big pieces of dust that may be lurking inside the tray.

General evaluation

1. Explain steps for cleaning the following (i) Keyboard (ii) Monitor
2. List steps to clean the DVD drive lens.

Reading assignment

Understanding Data Processing for Senior Secondary Schools by Dinehin Victoria Pages 245 – 250

Theory

1. Explain the steps in cleaning the following: i) Mouse ii) Keyboard iii Monitor iv) DVD drive lens
2. State six tools used in cleaning computer hardware.

 

In our next class, we will be talking about Software Maintenance, Software for Hardware & Software Maintenance.  We hope you enjoyed the class.

Should you have any further question, feel free to ask in the comment section below and trust us to respond as soon as possible.

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