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#131342 06/20/03 07:15 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Trumpy Offline OP
Member
What is the best way to go about cleaning out the keyboard and mouse on a computer, as the one we have at work, is in quite a dusty atmosphere and the keyboard is full of dust, cigarette ash and crumbs from sandwiches, it's also a bit sticky, from where a guy dropped a cream-filled doughnut on it. [Linked Image]
If you regularly clean out your computer peripherals, how do you do it?.
Would it also be a good idea to clean out the inside of the power supply, next to the fan?.
Any help someone could give on this would be most gratefully recieved!.

[This message has been edited by Trumpy (edited 06-20-2003).]

#131343 06/20/03 09:29 PM
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 228
J
Member
If you feel like being nice to your IT people then cleaning out the inside of a computer is appreciated, even if you just blow out the dust from the power supply fan. If the power supply fan or the CPU fan goes they will bake themselves. As for the keyboard, throw it out and start with a new one, or look into the sealed keyboard, they make the whole thing out of a silicone membrane, they are flexable and waterproof, so if it gets dirty you can throw it in the sink and use regular soap and water. http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.asp?ProductID=356037

Jim

#131344 06/21/03 01:08 AM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Trumpy Offline OP
Member
Jim,
You're a legend, mate, thanks for the advice!. [Linked Image]
Anyone else have anything to add?.

[This message has been edited by Trumpy (edited 06-21-2003).]

#131345 06/21/03 01:21 AM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,158
Member
I use my Kirby vac best USA product I can think of owning

#131346 06/21/03 10:29 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,527
B
Moderator
If you have a keyboard that’s worth keeping, [IBM “Selectric Touch” or AR8250] it’s not that hard to pull keys (remember where they go or you’re really in trouble) and soak them in warm soapy water for an hour. Then, rinse the heck out 'em. http://hometown.aol.com/capsoff
or www.jensentools.com/product/group.asp?parent_id=3275
You can find anything under those keys… hopefully no body parts. :-)




[This message has been edited by Bjarney (edited 06-21-2003).]

#131347 06/23/03 01:43 AM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,081
T
Member
I used to work in a place that was open 24/7/365. The keyboards were quite gross.

One lady used to bring rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs to clean the keys before she would touch them.

I sometimes would take a piece of paper, fold it so it was like a thin, pointed scoop, hold the keyboard on end, and run it down the rows between the keys.

Some of the stuff that would drop out was just...unidentifiable...fortunately. ? !

You might look into a can of compressed air to blow dust out from the keyboard...though a good vacuum is probably better.

#131348 06/23/03 06:02 AM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,520
P
Member
It's amazing how much dust and debris can accumulate around the vents. Remember to not just clean the fan but also all the vent slots. In a desktop PC, there are usually slots on the lower front edge, normally hidden from view by the case, which are relied upon to draw cool air in over the motherboard. You want to make sure you get those clean for best airflow.

You can buy cans of compressed air which is handy for blowing out dust from awkward corners, especially considering that brushes with man-made fibers are not the best tools around static-sensitive components.

#131349 06/23/03 02:06 PM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15
F
Member
I've rescued a couple of keyboards from the trash heap by running them through the dishwasher. Put the dishwasher on light cycle do not use any soap and set it not to dry... then let it air dry for a few days.

(I had to witness the results before I believed it myself.)

I’ve only used it as a last option but it really cleans the coffee out of a keyboard!

#131350 06/23/03 04:01 PM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 1
C
C-H Offline
Member
But be aware that the keyboard may need to dry for a week or more.

[This message has been edited by C-H (edited 06-23-2003).]

#131351 06/23/03 08:03 PM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15
F
Member
Yes the keyboard must be completely dry before you use it again. As we know water and electricity just does not mix well. [Linked Image]

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