Hardware maintenance

Things that should be done on a weekly basis are:

1. Clean mouse (ball and rollers) checking for wear.




2. Clean keyboard, checking for stuck keys.




3. Clean monitor screen.




4. Clean printer.

Tasks that should be carried out on a monthly basis are:

1. Clean outside of case

Tasks carried out annually are:

1. Check motherboard.




2. Clean adapter cards.

The tasks that are listed above are all tasks that need to be carried out to keep the hardware clean and safe to use. If the hardware components are not cleaned when they need to be cleaned, this may cause things like dust collecting on the components and damaging them. To clean them, use cleaning equipment such as a soft lint-free brush. This can be used for cleaning glass and plastic surfaces on the components. Also using paper towels if any spillages occur, cotton buds for cleaning the mouse etc, a non-static brush for the more stubborn dirt and compressed air for cleaning fans, keyboards etc. When cleaning the hardware, you must take in consideration of the Health and Safety regulations. Making sure you use an anti-static wristbands and using anti-static mats. Other things you must take into consideration when cleaning the computer components is that the computer is switched of at the wall and that you are careful with sharp edges that may be on the components. Below is a picture of a CPU fan that hasn't been cleaned. This is wrong as the dirt and dust collects on the fan and eventually the fan will stop working and the computer will over-heat.