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Face it, when you spend hours a day at a computer that draws dust like a magnet, by spring they are a health hazard. When better than spring to take a close look at the needs of your computer? Although many times we consider our PCs inanimate objects that should be protected from things like cleaning supplies, a good cleaning will make your work environment healthier and a friendlier place to spend your time. Follow these tips on cleaning your hardware, keyboard, screen, outer covering and files to make your PC sparkle like new.

One key in spring cleaning your PC is important: minimize running liquids around electronics to avoid short circuiting them and causing yourself great expense.

Step One: Remove Work Materials from Your Workspace

Aha, caught you with piles of books, stale coffee mugs, piles of printed paper, and candy wrappers. Before you can start your spring cleaning, all of this detritus needs to be removed. Replace books on shelves, empty wastebaskets, return dishes to the kitchen and recycle your unneeded paper and file the needed. Whew, that makes the task easier already.

Step Two: Turn Off Your Computer

Here's a good time to test your surge protector. One click should turn off everything you have, if you have a surge protector. If you don't use this time to save you the expense of a new computer for a mere thirty dollars for a high end surge protector. Electrical storms and brown outs happen, don't be caught unaware.

Note : turning off your computer will protect against accidents while cleaning.

Step Three: Determine if Your Mousepad Needs Replacement

Mousepads have a bad habit of getting stained and dirty. Buy a new one for a few dollars if yours looks tacky or has mushrooms growing on the surface.

Step Four : Brush and Bang Your Keyboard

If you don't have a wireless keyboard, disconnect it from your computer. The placing the short end in a waste basket, broom all the little food particles from between your keys. Turn it 180 degrees and repeat the process. Check how well you've done by setting the keyboard key side down on a table and banging on the back. If you lift it up and there's piles like what you get out of a toaster, keep working.

Step Five : Remove Your Mouse Ball and Brush and Clean

Turn the little panel on your mouse and let the ball drop into your hand. Again, brush with a toothbrush, bang and wipe off the ball. If your mouse has been sticky, wipe the ball with a cotton pad dampened with alcohol and let dry. Return the ball to the mouse and

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