Cleaning Notebook Tips
Have you made the switch from a desktop PC to a laptop? Several people have and although they may be easier to carry around and travel with, they still need to be cleaned, don’t they? Laptops aren’t as easy to open up and clean as desktops are, but it still can be done. To get started, just make sure your computer is turned off and unplugged. You should also remove the laptop battery just for some extra safety.
HARDWARE
Laptop Case
Now, we’re going to start with cleaning the outer case of your laptop so you can keep it looking new and fresh. Use a damp cotton cloth to clean the exterior of the laptop. It is recommended that you just use water, but if there is something on the case that cannot be cleaned with water, it is suitable to use rubbing alcohol. Do not use any household cleaners though.
Screen
Keep your notebook or laptop closed when not in use, this will help keep your screen clean. Try to keep small children away from your LCD devices, especially laptops. Some children may confuse a laptop for an etch-a-sketch like toy and create a masterpiece on your shiny new laptop. Ouch! Wipes are good for cleaning LCD on the road or when traveling. One person has suggested Absolute Vodka as a good cleaning solution! Make sure you cover your mouth when sneezing or couching around any LCD screen. It is not a good idea to use mineral or tap water because they may leave white spots from the dissolved salts. Purchase a can of compressed air – this comes in handy for removing dust and cleaning your keyboards or hard to reach places. If you buy any LCD cleaning product, try to get one that has an anti-static element in it. This will help keep down the dust and lint on your LCD screen. If you use any LCD screen in a dusty place, you may considering buying a protective covering. It is best to buy this directly from the manufacturer to ensure the cover fits your device perfectly.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The keys on a laptop keyboard are different from a standard keyboard and they usually cannot be removed. So, to clean this, use the same damp cotton cloth you used to clean the exterior of your laptop. Just wipe the cloth over the keys and some of the dust and dirt particles will be removed. You can also use compressed air to get some of the debris out from in and around the keys. It’s a very good idea to clean your laptop’s touchpad every once in awhile. It can help your laptop to look new, as well as, improve the quality of the motion and response of the touchpad. You can use the same damp cloth to clean this one too. Just run the cloth over the touchpad area and make sure you squeeze in around the corners to catch any debris that may be sitting there.
Get the dust out
Dust and hair (especially from pets) can fill your laptop’s vents, causing the machine to overheat. Pick your notebook up to check the underside. If you see dust bunnies covering the vents, brush or blow it out with compressed air. More adventurous types can unscrew the bottom of their notebook and give it a more thorough cleaning, including the fan. Just be careful you’re not voiding the warranty on that particular model.
SOFTWARE
Remove old file and program
There’s no reason to let junk pile up. Delete programs you don’t use regularly to help save space. In the Control Panel, select Programs And Features. Right-click on the columns, and select Last Used On. This should show you the last time particular programs were used. Uninstall those apps that you haven’t used for a more than a few months by clicking Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall A Program. Select the program you want to delete and click Uninstall.
Get rid of unnecessary startup items
Programs that automatically launch when you boot your laptop can be memory hogs. Speed up your system by getting rid of those you don’t really need, such as instant messenger programs or video managers.
From the Start menu, type msconfig in the search box, and press Enter.
Select the Startup tab—this shows what programs launch when you turn the notebook on.
Next to each program is a check box. Deselect the apps that you want to disable, and click OK. You will need to reboot your notebook for the changes to take effect. Make sure you know what you’re deactivating, though!
Clean out old and unused files
Opening certain online content automatically downloads ActiveX controls and Java applets. These are stored in the Downloaded Program Files folder on your hard disk, and simply take up space. Tidy up your The storage device that holds your OS, programs, and data.
Learn Morehard drive by throwing these out. From the desktop, select Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools. Then select Disk Cleanup. You can choose the drive you want to clean and the files you want to delete. Soon, you’ll have plenty of room for those new MP3s.
