here i found this on another website... 1. Remove a broken key from a lock. Put some super glue on broken off part, insert, hold a few seconds and pull. 2. Remove a broken light bulb. Stick a bar of soap into jagged edges, use soap as handle. 3. Remove a stubborn screw. Heat with a soldering iron for a few seconds first. 4. Protect children from sockets. Keep a piece of electrical tape over them when not in use. 5. Good glass door safety tip. Put a BIG decal on the glass and patio doors. 6. Keep nails from splitting wood. Blunt sharp end of nail before you use by hitting with hammer. 7. Repair small holes in screen. Plug holes with clear nail polish, let dry, repeat until filled. 8. Straighten warped phono records. Place record between two sheets of glass, let sit in sun for a while. 9. Best way to clean phono records. Dip in solution of detergent and water, rinse and wipe dry. 10. Make your own fireplace logs. Roll newspapers up tightly in shape of logs. 11. How to remove oil from a driveway. Cover with sand let stand for a few days, then sweep off. 12. Keep fish hooks from rusting. Stick them in a cork and submerge in some baking soda. 13. Make sandpaper last longer. Back sandpaper with masking tape. 14. How to revive old razor blades. Rub them back and forth inside a drinking glass. 15. Remove road tar from cars. Sodium bicarbonate on a damp cloth. 16. Remove labels from bottles and jars. 17. Cut glass without a glass cutter. Use tin snips and cut under water, smooth rough edges off with knife blade. 18. Easy to unglue stamps and envelopes. Put in freezer for a few hours then flip off with knife blade. 19. Get water out of your watch. Strap watch to light bulb, turn on for a few minutes. Water drops will form on glass. Open up and wipe off. 20. Prevent snow sticking to shovel. Coat shovel with car wax. 21. Tighten your hammer handle. Soak in used engine oil for a day. 22. Low cost laminating -EASY. Cover article with clear contact (cling film) paper. 23. Open that stuck zip. Spray the stuck zip with shaving foam. 24. Remove paint from auto. The product to clean paint from your car is Benzol. 25. Increase your petrol mileage. Put 4oz of benzol to each ten gallons of petrol to increase mpg. 26. How to renew car batteries. Dissolve 1oz of epsom salts in warm water and add to each cell. 27. Easily untie a knot in a chain. cover the knot generously with cold cream. 28. Loosen those tight shoes. Wad some damp newspapers into shoes and leave for a few days. 29. Make shoes slip proof. Take scissors and scratch crisscrosses on the soles. 30. The ideal pin cushion. Use a bar of soap, makes sewing easier, needle just slides through. 31. Make your own metal polisher. Take blackboard chalk and rub into cloth, then rub on metal. 32. Good dog and cat repellent. Place mothballs in areas. They will avoid it. Animals hate mothball odour. 33. When your pet has no appetite. Try a saucer of beer. It.s known to perk up the appetite. 34. Easy to rid pets of fleas. Put a foam rubber bed in the pet.s bed - fleas hate it. 35. Quick ways to press ties. Hang in bath while you take a shower - steam takes wrinkles out. 36. How to remove staples. An old nail clipper works fine for removing staples. 37. Eliminate odours from disposal. Throw a lemon in it and let it be ground up. 38. Keep salt moisture free. Put pieces of blotting paper in shaker. It will absorb moisture. 39. Simple eye glass cleaner. Vinegar diluted in water makes fine eyeglass cleaner. 40. Easy clean glass doors and mirrors. Just rub with damp newspaper - they will shine. 41. Easily reduce ashtray smell. Keep a small amount of baking soda in ashtrays at all times. 42. Messless painting from a bucket. Punch several holes around rim of can with small nail. 43. Take lumps out of paint. Cut a piece of screen to fit inside of can or bucket, it will float to bottom taking lumps with it. 44. Keep bugs out of paint. Pour a little insect repellent into the can - it does the trick. 45. Prevent flowers from fading. Use a few drops of chlorine bleach in water, add an aspirin for life. 46. A simple roach formula - IT WORKS! Crumble cigarette butts in water, let dry then spread in roach areas. 47. Save painting clean up time. Cover roller tray with aluminium foil then just throw away. 48. A novel paint can cover. Use plastic lid from a coffee can. 49. Keep piano keys looking new. Keep cover open, ivory turns dark if exposed to darkness. 50. How to remove grease from rugs. Pour ample amount of baking soda on it, brush in, let stand for a day and vacuum off. 51. Destroy desire for nicotine. Take before breakfast, a half teaspoon of rochelle salts and cream of tartar. 52. Destroy desire for alcohol. Mix goldthread with gold seal in a tea. It creates a violent taste for alcohol. 53. Excellent insomnia formula. One tbs powdered milk, 2 tbs honey, 1 tbs brewers yeast, stir into cup of warm milk and take before retiring. 54. Famous diet formula plan. Mix 1 tbs safflower oil to 2 tbs grapefruit juice, take before meals. 55. The $25 beauty facial. Spread milk of magnesia over face, let dry, cover again, let dry, remove with damp cloth, then apply some warm olive oil, then apply some ice cold witch hazel. 56. How to improve your IQ. Hydrocotyle asiatica teas are a noted brain food. 57. Make pantyhose last longer. One tbs alum, 1 quart water, rinse, let dry, then wash with soap, rinse and dry. 58. Remove blood stains from carpet. Sponge immediately with cold water, then use a bit of soap, rinse and dry. 59. Make your guitar really shine. Rub some toothpaste on, let dry then buff it. It will shine! 60. Keep a burn from blistering. Apply ice cubes to the burn immediately. 61. Remove ink stains from carpet. Apply a paste of milk and cornstarch, let stand a few hours and brush off. 62. Dry shampoo your pet. Rub baking soda into fur and brush out. Will smell great. 63. Put a shine on your windows. Brush with nylon stocking, use blackboard eraser to shine. 64. Unwrinkling plastic materials. Heat ironing board with iron, lay materials on, smooth with hands. 65. Easy needle threading. Dip tip of needle into clear nail polish and let dry. 66. How to clean your ties. Put tie in jar with some carbon tetrachloride, shake, take out and let dry. 67. Easy clean your nail file. Press apiece of tape onto file, pull off. Removes all dirt. 68. How to remove scorches. Wet scorched area and cover with cornstarch, brush off when dry. 69. What to do if you oversalt food. Drop a potato or two into it. Absorbs the oversalt. 70. Watermelon ripeness test. Look for a creamy surface underneath the melon. 71. How to freshen stale nuts. Stick them in the oven for 15 minutes at 250 degrees. 72. How to destroy fish smells. Rub butter on your hands or wherever smell is to be removed. 73. How to destroy onion smells. Dampen hands and rub bicarbonate of soda over them. 74. Keep and use overripe bananas. Mash and freeze for making cakes and biscuits. 75. How to boil a cracked egg. Add a dash of vinegar to the water. 76. How to make mocha coffee. Instead of milk or cream try some chocolate milk. 77. Easy boiled egg peeling. Keep lid on for a few minutes after boiling, pressure causes shell to fall off. 78. Eliminate popcorn duds -fast. Freeze it first then it will all pop. 79. Easy clean kitchen windows. Add starch to water and clean with a piece of newspaper. 80. Easy clean silverware - the best. Use baking soda and damp cloth, clean, rinse and let dry. 81. Vegetable for liver and prostrate. Beets. 82. Fruit soothes intestinal tract. Papaya. 83. A fruit for arthritic gout. Cherries 84. An appetiser fruit - GOOD Pineapple. 85. Fruit for stomach. Coconut. 86. A fruit for constipation. Raw apples. 87. A fruit high in iron. Strawberries. 88. Fruit for neutralising acid. Lemons. 89. A fruit healthful for kidneys. Watermelon. 90. A fruit fine for the nerves. Bananas. 91. Two fruits thought anti-tobacco. Apples and grapes eaten raw. 92. A fruit thought anti-cancer. Figs. 93. Vegetable good for the kidneys. Celery. 94. Vegetable that.s antibiotic. Garlic. 95. Fruit to tune blood vessels. Oranges. 96. Vegetable for fresh breath. Parsley. 97. Ingredient good for the heart. Honey. 98. A vegetable good for the eyes. Carrots. 99. A good source of iodine. Kelp. 100. A vegetable with high vitamin C . Green peppers. 101. How to shine your refrigerator. Use bicarbonate of soda on a wet sponge. 102. How to remove a hot cake pan. Use clothes pins. 103. Keep windshields frost free. Apply solution 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water over windshield. 104. Make dry cell batteries last longer. Seal in plastic bags, wrap in aluminium foil, keep in refrigerator. 105. Remove wax from candle holders. Freeze holders in refrigerator and it will just peel off. 106. Prevent kitchen stools from slipping. Put rubber tips from crutches on bottom of legs. 107. Rid scratches from plastic watches. Use cotton bud dipped in nail polish remover, rub over face, scratch disappears. 108. Excellent lubricant for appliances. Put a drop of glycerine in gears - makes an excellent lubricant! 109. Keep garbage bags from slipping. Use 3 or 4 clothes pins, keeps them from slipping. 110. How to clean glassware. Clean with stale tea. If they spot, soak in buttermilk, let dry and wipe off. 111. How to clean carved furniture. Use an old tooth brush to clean then use furniture polish on brush. 112. Remove ink from varnished furniture. Rub with soft cloth filled with equal parts vinegar and linseed oil. 113. Remove mildew smell from luggage. Put a bar of soap in luggage before storing. 114. Remove smoke, grease from woodwork. Paint wood with solution of starch and water, when dry rub off. 115. Really shine your kitchen floor. Add some sour milk to your rinse water, it will shine! 116. How to clean rust from chrome. Rub it with aluminium foil. 117. How to really clean enamel. Use a paste of salt and vinegar then wipe off. 118. Remove shoe polish from clothing. Use carbon tetrachloride or rubbing alcohol. 119. Remove cigarette stains from china. Rub it with a cork that has been dipped in salt. 120. Make your own ink eradicator. Mix one part liquid bleach to ten parts water. Works great! 121. Make your appliances really shine. Rub them over with rubbing alcohol, they will stay shining. 122. Remove stains from coffee cups. Rub with salt and vinegar. 123. Make your own furniture polish. Use two parts olive oil to one part vinegar. Have it warm while using. 124. Make your own silver polish, Tooth paste or baking soda makes an excellent silver polish. 125. A really good copper cleaner. Use a paste of salt and vinegar. 126. To clean your diamond rings. Use toothpaste with an old tooth brush, rub rinse and let dry. 127. Clean tarnished gold and silver. Rub with paste of water and baking soda, rinse and let dry. 128. How to make good jewellery cleaner. Clean with a solution of one teaspoon ammonia and one cup of water. 129. Reset stone in your jewellery. Put clear nail varnish in the base, set the stone in and let dry. 130. Prevent costume jewellery from tarnishing. Put a thin coat of transparent nail polish over it. 131. Good cleaning aid for dishwashers. Add some vinegar to the dishwasher. 132. Cure scratches on your furniture. Use machine oil or some colour shoe polish. 133. Make a good fingernail brush. Cut down the bristles of an old tooth brush. 134. Food for the whole litter (HOW). Use a muffin pan so the runts can have some. 135. Lengthen life of wooden clothespins. Boil then in salt solution. 136. Make a neat string dispenser. Nail a funnel to wall and pull string out of bottom of funnel. 137. Tips on storing plastic curtains. Sprinkle talcum powder between the layers as you go. 138. Basting made real easy (NEAT!). Just tape and sew around the pieces of tape. 139. How to revive old clothing. Shave those little fluffs off with a safety razor. 140. Make an emergency clothes brush. Wrap a piece of tape around the hand, sticky side out. 141. Stop clothes catching on hangers. Put a coat of clear nail polish over splinters and rough edges. 142. A needle sharpening pin cushion. Use a steel wool to fill your cushion, keeps needles sharp. 143. Make a good yarn preserver. Wrap yarn around a moth ball for storage. 144. Handy tips on cutting fur. Use a razor blade on back of fur when cutting, you won.t cut any hair. 145. Tips on sewing slippery material. Stick a piece of waxed paper in seam, pull away when finished. 146. Easy pick up of needle spills. Use a small magnet to pick up any needle spill. 147. Excellent knitting tips. Keep ball of yarn in nylon stocking, will flow out free of tangles. 148. How to get rid of shiny trousers. Make a solution of 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water, soak a cloth in it, wring out cloth put over trousers and press slightly. 149. When you need heavy duty thread. Use dental floss. 150. Make a handy tape measure. Just put tape around an old adhesive tape spool. 151. Prevent nylon from yellowing. Add some baking soda to wash and rinse water. 152. Make a perfect sock darner. Pull socks over a light bulb, makes it easy. 153. How to restore velvet like new. Brush good and then hang in steamy bathroom. 154. Get rid of knots on sweaters. Just rub a piece of sandpaper over sweater. 155. How to remove lint from wool. Use a damp sponge and touch lightly. 156. Caring for leather upholstery. Brush with skim milk every three months. 157. Repair scuffed patent leather. Cover with same colour polish, let dry then cover with clear nail polish. 158. Prevent patent leather cracking. Before each wearing, rub briskly with your hand, then a soft cloth. 159. Repair scuffed baby shoes. Rub shoe with white of an egg. 160. Tips on buying shoes Buy shoes in afternoon, feet tend to swell in the morning. 161. What to do when shoes get stiff Cut a raw potato and rub all over. They will come back to life. 162. Black suede shoes last longer. Wash with warm water then rub castor oil into leather. 163. How to soften leather shoes. Sponge with black coffee. 164. Remove salt rings from shoes. Brush with solution of vinegar and water. 165. Keep vegetables green while cooking. Lift the lid of the cooking vessel from time to time while cooking. 166. Get juice from dried up lemon. Boil it for a few minutes. 167. Quick onion rings. Onions slice more easily, if you leave skins on while slicing. 168. How to kill taste of olive oil. Add a touch of salt. 169. Good bread crumb substitute. Potato chips, corn chips or pretzels. 170. How to keep your berries fresh. Don.t wash until ready to use and keep in refrigerator until ready to use. 171. How to cut a soft pie. Use a buttered knife to cut through a soft pie. 172. How to cut a frosted cake. Rinse knife in hot water first each time you cut a slice. 173. How to make fluffy egg omelette. Add a teaspoon of corn starch when mixing eggs. 174. Keep dressing from going rancid. Put a spoon of sugar in it. 175. How to stop cabbage odours. Throw a couple of walnut kernels in pot while cooking. 176. When you need soft butter quick.. If your butter is frozen, grate it, it.s the same as soft butter. 177. How to keep cauliflower white. Pour a little milk in the water when boiling cauliflower. 178. When is the omelette done. When you press it lightly and it springs back. 179. Keep milk from scorching. Add a pinch of sugar while cooking and do not stir. 180. Cheese cutting tips. A dull knife is more successful than a sharp one. 181. When you need an extra egg. When you need an extra egg for a recipe add a little corn starch. 182. Peel onions without tears. Let water run over them while peeling. 183. The proper way to ripen fruit. Keep it out in open at room temperature. 184. How to pick fresh eggs. Old eggs are shin, fresh eggs are rough and have bumps. 185. How to cut acidity in coffee. Add a pinch of salt. 186. Good refrigerator deodoriser. Keep an open box of baking soda in it at all times. 187. What to do about grease spills. Pour ice water over it, it will lift off before it can soak in. 188. Make a good egg separator. Crack egg, put in small funnel, white will come through separated from yoke. 189. Reduce wilting of root vegetables. Cut off the tops as soon as you get them. 190. Keep vegetables fresh longer. Put paper towels in bottom of bin. It will absorb moisture which causes decay. 191. How to keep meat fresh looking. Cover the cut side with leaves of lettuce. 192. How to perk up wilted lettuce. Soak in cold water with a dash of lemon juice, cool in refrigerator for 30 minutes. 193. Make frozen vegetables fresh. Pour boiling water over them. Restores fresh taste. 194. The best way to slice onions. Freezing them first. 195. Keep beets and cabbage red. Add lemon juice or vinegar to the water. 196. Keep potatoes from sprouting. Store apples with them. 197. Get rid of cooking odours. Boil hand full of cloves in water for 30 minutes. All odours will disappear. 198. Truss poultry so it will stay. Use dental floss, it will not burn. 199. Tell when custard is done. Stick knife into custard, if it comes out clean, it is done 200. Tips for cutting hot cake. Use a thread, hold both ends tightly and lower through slowly.
wow...thanks svar...i just added this to my favo[bold]u[/bold]rites.<<im canadian alirght>> heeh @ireland *wipes laughter tear* spoons are the reason rosie o'donnell is fat.. .BAHAHAHAHA =pepsimaxx=
Information about cleaning computer components. gohere http://www.computerhope.com/cleaning.htm#01 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. 1. Never spray or squirt any type of 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. 2. Users can use a vacuum to suck up dirt, dust, or hair around their computer on the outside case and on their keyboards. 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. 3. When cleaning a component and/or the computer, turn it off before cleaning. 4. Never get any component inside the computer or any other circuit board damp or wet. 5. Be cautious when using any type of cleaning solvents; some individuals may have allergic reactions to chemicals in cleaning solvents and some solvents can even damage the case. Try to always use water or a highly diluted solvent. 6. When cleaning, be careful not to accidentally adjust any knobs or controls. In addition, when cleaning the back of the computer, if anything is plugged in, make sure not to disconnect any of the plugs. 7. When cleaning fans, especially the smaller fans within a portable computer or laptop it's suggested that you either hold the fan or place something in-between the fan blades to prevent it from spinning. Spraying compressed air into a fan or cleaning a fan with a vacuum may cause damage to some fans. 8. Never eat or drink around the computer. 9. Limit smoking around the computer. CLEANING TOOLS Although many companies have created products to help improve the process of cleaning your computer and peripherals, users can also use household items to clean their computers and peripherals. Below is a listing of items you may need or want to use while cleaning your computer or computer peripherals. Keep in mind that some components in your computer may only be able to be cleaned using a product designed for cleaning that component; if this is the case, it will be mentioned in the cleaning tips. * Cloth - A cloth is the best tool used when rubbing down a component; although paper towels can be used with most hardware, we recommend using a cloth when ever possible. * Water or rubbing alcohol - When moistening a cloth, it is best to use water or rubbing alcohol. Other solvents may be bad for the plastics used with your computer. * Portable Vacuum - Sucking the dust, dirt, hair, cigarette particles, and other particles out of a computer can be one of the best methods of cleaning a computer. Over time, these items can restrict the airflow in a computer and cause circuitry to corrode. Do not use a standard vacuum as it can generate a lot of static electricity that can damage your computer. * Cotton swabs - Cotton swaps moistened with rubbing alcohol or water are excellent tools for wiping hard to reach areas in your keyboard, mouse, and other locations. * Foam swabs - Whenever possible, it is better to use lint-free swabs such as foam swabs. CASE CLEANING Why? 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. Procedure: 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. If you are looking for steps on cleaning the inside of the computer, please see our motherboard cleaning section. Additional help: Case Page CD-ROM CLEANING Why? A dirty CD-ROM drive or other disc drive can cause read errors with CD discs. These read errors could cause software installation issues or issues while running the program. Procedure: To clean the CD-ROM drive we recommend purchasing a CD-ROM cleaner from your local retailer such as a local Radio Shack. Using a CD-ROM cleaner should sufficiently clean the CD-ROM laser from dust, dirt, and hair. Also see our below CD cleaning recommendation for steps on cleaning each of your CDs. Additional help: CD-ROM Page CD CLEANING Why? Dirty CDs can cause read errors and/or cause CDs to not work at all. Procedure: Cleaning CDs should be done with a CD cleaning kit but can also be done with a normal clean cotton cloth or shirt. When doing this with a clean cotton cloth or shirt, wipe against the tracks, starting from the middle of the CD and wiping towards the outer side of the CD. Never wipe with the tracks; doing so may put more scratches on the CD. It is recommended when cleaning a CD that water is used. However, if the substance on a CD cannot be removed using water, pure alcohol can also be used. Additional help: CD-ROM Page FLOPPY DRIVE CLEANING Why? Dirty read/write heads on the floppy drive can cause errors during the reading and/or writing process. Procedures: The floppy drive can be cleaned two different ways. The first method of cleaning a floppy drive, and our recommended method, is to purchase a kit at your local retail store designed to clean the read/write heads on your floppy drive. The second method of cleaning the floppy drive is only recommended for experienced computer users. Open the floppy drive casing and physically swab the read/write heads with a lint-free foam swab soaked in pure alcohol, free-on, or trichoroethane. When performing these steps, be extremely careful when cleaning the heads to ensure that you do not lock them out of alignment causing the floppy drive to not work. To help prevent the heads from becoming out of alignment, use a dabbing motion lightly putting the swab on the head and removing it, do not perform a side-to-side motion with the swab. Additional help: Floppy Drive Page HARD DISK DRIVE CLEANING Why? While hard drives cannot be cleaned physically, they can be cleaned with various utilities on the computer to help it run fast and more efficiently. Utilizing these utilities will prevent the hard drive from slowing down. Procedure: Refer to our basic troubleshooting section for your operating system for steps that can be done to help improve the performance of your computer. Additional help: Hard Disk Drive Page HEADPHONES CLEANING Why? Headphones that are used by multiple people may need to be cleaned frequently to help prevent the spreading of germs and head lice. Procedure: If the headphones being used are plastic and/or vinyl, moisten a cloth with warm water and rub the head and earpieces of the headphones. As mentioned earlier in our cleaning tips, it is recommended that if your headphones are being used for a library or school that you do not use any type of disinfectant or cleaning solvent as users may have allergic reactions to the chemicals they contain. Headphones that have cushions often also have the availability of replacement cushions. Replacing these cushions can also help keep the headphones clean. Finally, in regards to headphones and the spreading of head lice, if multiple students are using your headphones, you should consider having the students use their own headphones, using bags that are placed over the headphones, or having headphones that can be wiped with warm water after each student has used the headphones. KEYBOARD CLEANING If you're trying to clean a laptop keyboard see document CH000780 for additional help and information. All of the below information applies to standard desktop computer keyboards. Why? Dirt, dust and hair can build up causing the keyboard to not function properly. Procedure: Many people clean the keyboard by turning it upside down and shaking. A more effective method is to use compressed air. Compressed air is pressurized air contained in a can with a very long nozzle. Simply aim the air between the keys and blow away all of the dust and debris that has gathered there. A vacuum cleaner can also be used, but make sure the keyboard doesn't have loose "pop off" keys that could possibly be sucked up by the vacuum. Why? If the keyboard has anything spilt into it (ie: pop, Pepsi, Coke, beer, wine, coffee, milk, etc.), not taking the proper steps can cause the keyboard to be destroyed. Procedure: Below are a few recommendations to help prevent a keyboard from becoming bad once a substance has been spilt within it. If anything is spilt onto the keyboard turn the computer off immediately. Once the computer is turned off, quickly flip the keyboard over helping to prevent the substance from penetrating circuits. While the keyboard is upside down, shake the keyboard over a surface you do not mind getting wet or that can be cleaned up later. While still upside down, use a cloth to help clean out what can be reached. After you you have cleaned the keyboard to the best of your ability leave the keyboard upside down for at least one night allowing it to dry. If a keyboard does not work after trying it again later it is recommended that it be replaced. If the keyboard works, however some of the keys are sticky or cannot be pressed in you can attempt to do additional cleaning in attempt to resolve the issue. Unfortunately many times any sticky substance such as a non-diet pop is spilt directly onto the keyboard it is usually a loss unless you plan on spending dozens of hours attempting to clean each key. Why? A keyboard that is used by multiple people, such as students or different employees, may need to be disinfected to help the spread of germs. Procedure: Turn off the computer. Spray a disinfectant onto a cloth or damp a cloth with alcohol and rub each of the keys on the keyboard. As mentioned in our general cleaning tips, never spray any type of liquid onto the keyboard. Additional Information: Keyboard Page LAPTOP CLEANING Additional help and information about cleaning your laptop or portable computer can be found on document CH000780. LCD CLEANING Why? Dirt, dust, and finger prints can cause the computer screen to be difficult to read. Procedure: Unlike a computer monitor, the LCD is not made of glass, therefore requires special cleaning procedures. When cleaning the LCD screen it is important to remember to not spray any liquids onto the LCD directly; do not use a paper towel as it may cause the LCD to become scratched. To clean the LCD screen we recommend that you use a soft cotton cloth; if a dry cloth does not completely clean the screen, you can apply rubbing alcohol to the cloth and wipe the screen with the damp cloth. Rubbing alcohol is actually used to clean the LCD before it leaves the factory. MONITOR CLEANING Why? Dirt, dust, and fingerprints can cause the computer screen to be difficult to read. Procedure: The monitor screen can be cleaned with ordinary household glass cleaner. Be sure to remove power from the monitor and spray the cleaner onto a lint free-cloth so the fluid doesn't leak into the electrical components inside the monitor. Vacuum off any dust that has settled on top of the monitor, and make sure no books or papers have been placed on the air vents. Obstructed monitor vents can cause the monitor to overheat or even catch on fire. Additional help: Monitor page MOTHERBOARD CLEANING Why? Dust and especially particles of cigarette smoke can build up and corrode circuitry causing various problems such as computer lockups Note: When inside the computer take the necessary ESD precautions and try to avoid unplugging any cables or other connections. Procedure: Our recommendation when cleaning the Motherboard from dust, dirt, or hair is to use compressed air. When using compressed air, hold it in the up-right position; otherwise, it is possible chemicals may come out of the container that could damage or corrode the Motherboard or other component within the computer. Also, ensure when using compressed air that you always blow the dust or dirt away from the motherboard, or out of the case. Another good alternative to compressed air is to use a portable battery powered vacuum that can effectively remove the dust, dirt, and hair from the motherboard completely and prevent it from getting trapped within the case. However, do not use a standard electricity powered vacuum as it can cause a lot of static electricity that can damage the computer. When using the vacuum it is vital that you stay a couple inches away from the motherboard and all other components to help prevent contact as well as to help prevent anything from being sucked into the vacuum. Ensure that you do not remove any small components with the vacuum such as jumpers. Tip: When cleaning the inside of the case also look at any fans and/or heat sinks. Dust, dirt, and hair often collect around these components the most. Additional help: Motherboard Page MOUSE CLEANING Why? A dirty optical-mechanical mouse (mouse with a ball) can cause the mouse to be difficult to move as well as cause strange mouse movement. Procedure: To clean the rollers of an optical-mechanical mouse, you must first remove the bottom cover of the mouse. To do this, examine the bottom of the mouse to see which direction the mouse cover should be rotated. As you can see in the below illustration, the mouse cover must be moved counter clockwise. Place two fingers on the mouse cover and push the direction of the arrows. Once the cover has rotated about an inch, rotate the mouse into its normal position, covering the bottom of the mouse with one hand and the bottom should fall off including the mouse ball. If this does not occur, attempt to shake the mouse gently. Once the bottom cover and the ball are removed, you should be able to see three rollers located within the mouse. Use a cotton swab, your finger, and/or fingernail and move in a horizontal direction of the rollers. Usually, there will be a small line of hair and or dirt in the middle of the roller, remove this dirt and/or hair as much as possible. Once you have removed as much dirt and hair as possible, place the ball back within the mouse and place the cover back on. If the mouse still appears to be having the same issue, repeat the above process; if after several attempts the mouse is still having the same issues, it's likely that your mouse has other hardware issues and we recommend that it be replaced. Note: Cleaning your mouse pad with a damp cloth can also help improve a computer's mouse movement. Why? To help keep a mouse clean and germ free it can be helpful to clean the mouse. Procedure: Use a cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol or warm water and rub the surface of the mouse and each of its buttons. Additional help: Mouse Page PALM PILOT CLEANING Why? Dirty touch screens can cause difficult navigation. Procedure: To clean the Palm Pilot Screen, use a soft cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol and rub the screen and the casing of the palm pilot. It is not recommended to use glass cleaner as it could damage plastics over time. PRINTER CLEANING Why? Cleaning the outside of a printer can help keep the printer's appearance looking good; and in the case of a printer that is used by many different people, keep the printer clean of germs. Procedure: First, make sure to turn off the printer before cleaning it. Dampen a cloth with water or rubbing alcohol and wipe the case and each of the buttons or knobs on the printer. As mentioned earlier, never spray any liquid directly onto the printer. Why? With some printers it may be necessary to clean the inside of the printer to help keep the printer running smoothly. Procedure: Because of numerous types of printers, different steps in cleaning printers, and printer manufacturer policies on cleaning the inside of the printer, we recommend you obtain the printer cleaning steps from your printer manufacturer. SCANNER CLEANING Why? Flatbed scanners commonly become dirty with dust, fingerprints, and hair. When a scanner is dirty, the images may have distortions. Procedure: Clean a flatbed scanner's surface by spraying a window cleaner onto a paper towel or cotton cloth and wipe the glass until clean. As mentioned earlier, never spray a liquid directly onto the component. To clean the outside of the scanner, the same towel or cotton cloth can be used. SUPERDISK CLEANING Why? It is recommended that the SuperDisk / LS120 drive be cleaned regularly to prevent drive heads from becoming dirty. Procedure: Purchase the SuperDisk cleaning kit available through Imation. Using any other method will void the warranty on your drive.
