Well, we have multitude of software and correspondingly we use variety of maintenance software such as defragmenter, junk file cleaner, registry cleaner and so on to ensure that the computer software is running fine. We often tend to forget the essential piece of hardware makes the software is the CPU and more often we forget to tend and take care of the CPU. Well, not only CPU but other components are also left unattended. Now, it is essential that one should take proper care of the CPU and keep it spick and spank. So lets see, how it can be done in easy way.
The computer hardware at minimum will have a monitor, a keyboard, a CPU (motherboard + processor + RAM + Hard disk). The CPU may also contains few fans, Optical Drive, other boards like graphic card and sound card and so on. The CPU is brain behind the working of the computer. If one observes, the number of component packed together inside a box (Cabinet) is a huge source of heat generation. This heat has to be dissipated to obtain optimum performance. And over time, dust, dirt, cobweb and what not gets accumulated inside the cabinet, over the moving fans and most of the opening, choking the airflow and increased load on the motors of the moving components like fans.
Cleaning a CPU is very easy. First one need switch off the computer and unplug all the cables running into the rear of CPU. Next, remove the screws at the back panel holding the side panel of the cabinet. Care has to be taken while sliding the side panel as sometimes a fan or two may be connected to provide additional air into the cabinet.
Best way to start cleaning is by removing all the cobwebs and dirt possibly by some soft cloths. Care is to be taken not to use any liquid or solvent. Next using a soft wide brush or vacuum cleaner remove all the the dirt and grime settled in fan. Possibly blow some air using air can or air pump into the various nook and corner of your computer. Care should be taken to blow air lightly over the fan otherwise it may damage the fan. If possible remove the RAM sticks and graphic card and clean them and their slot properly. After cleaning inside the CPU, clean the outside body using some solvent & wipe it dry.
Monitor/ Display Unit can also be cleaned by wiping using a solvent soaked soft cloth, Always use a mild solvent and check that the solvent is not affecting the plastic part of the monitor. The keyboard can be cleaned by blowing compressed air into the gaps of keys.
Cleaning helps in keeping the computer running fine and avoids any overheating due to poor cooling. So happy cleaning.
Shiv's Blog 