Physically cleaning computer hardware, both as maintenance and post-accident
4
votes
1answer
52 views
computer cleaning with isopropyl alcohol
I bought a spray bottle of isopropyl alcohol, but I'm having a hard time to figure out how to use it to clean my computer.
My 2 concerns are:
Can I just spray it onto the motherboard? Or do I have ...
0
votes
1answer
41 views
A cleaning gone very wrong
I had intended to help a friend with cleaning out her family's computer. I have a bit of tech expierence myself having upgraded and regularly cleaning my own but this is just random as hell. I turned ...
0
votes
0answers
31 views
After uninstalling a program with Revo, is a restart still necessary?
After uninstalling a program with Revo -- which uses the program's native uninstaller first, then Revo does a full/advanced scan for leftovers -- is a reboot still necessary?
I get thrown off by ...
1
vote
1answer
55 views
How should I clean and restore an old Apple II computer? [duplicate]
Wondering what I should know before I start tearing this thing down to clean it. What's a good way to clean and restore it in a safe manner? Especially the keyboard as many keys take many tries to ...
2
votes
5answers
96 views
How to clean a keyboard? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How to clean a keyboard
I have a bunch of sticky keys from a coffee spill months ago. What is the best way to clean up?
What brand of alcohol should I use and do I ...
0
votes
1answer
162 views
Can I - and should I - rinse my mechanical keyboard after spillage? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Tips for getting latte or soda out of your keyboard?
Unfortunate incident at work today whereby, whilst laughing, I managed to elbow a mug of tea (one sugar!) on to my ...
0
votes
0answers
22 views
How to clean a stubborn LCD panel? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is the best way to clean an LCD monitor?
I invested in some good IPS panels a few months ago and today is the first time I've tried cleaning them. I have a ...
1
vote
1answer
960 views
How does Windows 8 Refresh work? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What do Windows 8 Refresh and Reset my PC really do?
I have heard about the new Windows 8 feature, the option to
"refresh your PC."
Apparently, it lets you in essence ...
1
vote
1answer
84 views
How to clean a laptop computer? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How do I clean dust from a computer?
I just read "Can Dust Actually Damage My Computer" by Jason Fitzpatrick, published 10/16/12. At the end of the article were related ...
11
votes
2answers
2k views
“Air Duster” sprays - are they safe for hardware?
I picked up a can of Air Duster spray to clean an old laptop. It lists no ingredients, so I figured it was just compressed air. But when I spray it, it's a liquid that smells somewhat like ...
0
votes
0answers
35 views
What to do after a printer has set for 5 years
How do I clean the nozzles on an Epson R300. It's been setting for 5 years and I put in new ink but doesn't get to the paper.
2
votes
0answers
54 views
Whats the best cleaning solution for cables? [closed]
I was doing some "spring" cleaning of my computer area and noticed various computer cables have a variety of grime on them.
I grabbed some Windex and started rubbing them down, but then started ...
0
votes
2answers
236 views
Preventing Windows from automatically removing broken desktop shortcuts
I have two external harddrives which I'm using for archiving purposes, because of that they are turned off most of the time. I have some shortcuts on the desktop to some directories on these external ...
1
vote
1answer
62 views
Low tech way to clean a netbook while travelling near the sea?
I've been hitchhiking around the world for over a year and the netbook that was almost new at the start of my trip is getting very grubby though it's still working OK.
Lately I've been camping on a ...
1
vote
3answers
79 views
Prepare computer for presentation
I need to use my laptop for a software presentation. I'd like to have nothing on the desktop but the link to the software.
How to hide all the other stuff (Like the trash and bluetooth icons) and the ...
5
votes
1answer
100 views
Remove Possible Smoke Damage from a Desktop Computer
I had a fire in my house last week.
I have several home brew computers that look like they have not received any actual fire or water damage. I've heard that the acidic qualities of the smoke may ...
0
votes
1answer
152 views
How can I automatically keep folders clean?
I've just wiped my laptop and am starting to move files back on to it now. How can I keep certain folders clean automatically? For example, is there an easy way to automatically deletes all of the ...
2
votes
2answers
126 views
Does Screen Cleaner go bad? [closed]
I've had this bottle of Monster Screen Cleaner for 5 years now... the last time I've used it was a few months ago. It's starting to have a weird smell to it. I don't see an expiry date on it so I'm ...
3
votes
3answers
275 views
What are the disadvantages of removing the application directories instead of using uninstallers?
Uninstalling a lot of stuff at the same time takes too long. If I just remove the directory, it will probably leave some registry records and what else?
12
votes
3answers
1k views
How can I remove the smell of cigarettes from my computer?
I'm a smoker, and of course I smoke in front of the computer when I'm at home.
Last Friday I moved out from my mother's house to my own, and since the computers were always turned on and the room was ...
0
votes
5answers
10k views
How do I completely remove a program from my PC? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How best to manually uninstall a program in windows 7/vista
I have a problem uninstalling applications. I'm using Windows 7,
Whenever I install a trial or limited ...
0
votes
2answers
110 views
Cleaning oil paint off touchpad?
An artist used this Gateway FX6860 and now there are streaks of oil paint on the touchpad. What soap or solvent will effectively clean the paint without any harm to the touchpad or surrounding ...
3
votes
6answers
2k views
What is the best way to 'clean' my computer?
I am currently running Windows 7 x64. I frequently install, uninstall, modify, break, or otherwise alter various programs on my computer (experimetation is fun!). Anyways, over the past six months ...
6
votes
2answers
564 views
Washing electronics
I've read a related post, "Can you actually Wash a laptop?", but a more straightforward answer would be preferred (or if someone has actually done it).
Consider a water contact with the motherboard ...
1
vote
1answer
396 views
Alternatives to Google Refine?
Can anyone recommend a tool for cleaning/scrubbing data other than Google Refine? I don't have any particular reason for not wanting to use Google Refine, I just want to evaluate some alternatives. ...
0
votes
1answer
81 views
Cleaning system from removed applications trash
Details
My OS: Windows 7 Ultimate X64 with SP1
I'm using CCleaner for daily, weekly PC cleanings.
Recently during uninstallation of Acronis True Image, uninstaller crashed and closed itself at the ...
0
votes
2answers
1k views
Does long-format in Windows zero-write the hard drive?
Specifically, I am long-formatting to ExFAT.
Is this filling my external HDD with zeros?
If not, how can I do this with a 230GB SATA hard drive in an external USB caddy?
8
votes
3answers
2k views
How to physically clean a USB connector safely
I have a USB flash drive, and the male USB connector on it has gotten rather disgustingly sticky (lent it to colleague with small child, he let the child play with it (never again))
Can anyone ...
0
votes
4answers
2k views
CPU overheating after cleaning it
I wanted to clean my computer CPU heatsink and fan itself, because the temperature is not what I wanted. About (50C ~ 70C). I have Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 @1.8 GHz (LGA775).
The heatsink wasn't so ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
Can the bitterant in most canned air cause harm to my computer?
I need to clean the dust out of my computer. Previously, I have used canned air, but it seems now I cannot find any without a bitterant to prevent inhalant abuse. I just bought a can that says it is ...
2
votes
3answers
2k views
If I use CCleaner regularly, will it damage or reduce the life time of hard disk?
I found Ccleaner is very useful to clean all unnecessary data on a hard drive and wipe out free space.
But what makes it different from normal delete to secure delete?
And I wounder what it will do ...
64
votes
3answers
4k views
I washed my USB drive. Any long-term risks?
I accidentally left a USB flash drive in my clothes, which was then washed with my laundry. This was a colored load, hot water.
The drive survived just fine and was very clean. All data was still ...
0
votes
0answers
144 views
Cleaning the sticky keys of a touchpad on a laptop [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Unpacking a laptop touchpad to clean it
How do I access and clean the area around my laptop's touchpad?
I accidentally got some apple juice under my laptop keys. It was ...
1
vote
2answers
872 views
How to “clean” a PSD file before publishing?
I want to upload .psd (Photoshop CS5) files to a subversion repository, and since the format seems so... comprehensive (or maybe just bloated and convoluted), I'd like to just publish the core of the ...
2
votes
2answers
165 views
Friend wants to return an iMac with Lion in it. How does he remove his personal info / do clean install?
I have a Mac, but not Lion, and it seems like a lot has changed with Lion.
He wants to return the computer. I told him doing a clean install will make it like new, but he says you can't download a ...
3
votes
1answer
84 views
Is there such a concept as “dead thumbnails” in Windows?
I realised that in disk cleanup (cleanmgr.exe) there is an item "Thumbnails":
Windows keeps a copy of all of your picture, video, and document thumbnails so they can be displayed quickly when ...
8
votes
5answers
460 views
Dusting Laptop keyboard
Is there a way to temporarily disable a laptop's keyboard in order to clean/dust it off, other than having to turn off the computer?
1
vote
1answer
75 views
Why My Hi-Tech Chemical Compound Lost Its Full Effectiveness? [closed]
I have bought this thing a month ago:
It is so far best dust cleaner that i have ever used and all was well until i left it out of its package for half day. Then it became sturdy and could be ...
0
votes
2answers
553 views
Touchpad on MacBook is shiny?
I noticed that the touchpad was getting a little shiny on the middle-most part. I just want to know if there's a way to clean this and restore the laptop to its previous texture? If there's no way to ...
1
vote
1answer
135 views
Do different disks have different system restore points?
I was wondering if I install programs in both C:\ drive and D:\ drive, are there separate system restore points for each disk?
For example if I run cleanmgr.exe I can select either C:\ or D:\ drive:
...
3
votes
2answers
496 views
Windows 7 strange large files and missing capacity
i need your help.
In
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Windows\System32
i found this
file __rar_01.006
and it's size is 1,7GB!!! can i delete it?
and more:
if i trying ...
0
votes
3answers
401 views
Cleaned computer and hard disk doesn't spin up anymore
I took my dad's computer apart and cleaned out all the dust today and now the hard disk doesn't spin up anymore. It's an IDE hard disk and it was working fine before. When I boot up, the BIOS says: No ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
Is it okay to vacuum a laptop keyboard?
Is it okay to vacuum a laptop keyboard? Would it cause any damage?
0
votes
2answers
362 views
Method/product for cleaning cigarette smoke off of LCDs?
OK, I admit I am a smoker. Im trying to quit, its hard though...
So I have several LCD monitors that have accumulated grime from cigarette smoke over the years. Every so often I take a soft cloth ...
6
votes
2answers
461 views
Is there any methods of “unyellowing” old beige PC parts?
I have some (really) old PC parts that I would like to repurpose for fun. However the beige plastic on some of them has yellowed due to heat or sun exposure. Is there any way to restore them back to ...
1
vote
5answers
973 views
Can I wash an old cherry keyboard in a dishwasher? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Can I put keyboards in the dishwasher?
I found a mechanical cherry keyboard (That looks A LOT like the IBM Model M but isn't) but it is disgustingly filthy, all keys and ...
3
votes
1answer
141 views
Tips for cleaning touch screen
Is cleaning a touch screen LCD any different to cleaning normal LCD?
Should one avoid using window cleaner solutions as well?
Is distilled water and microfiber the only recommended method?
Touch ...
1
vote
3answers
1k views
Windows Installer Cleanup Utility retired, alternative?
So the Windows\installer folder (and the WinSxS folder, but that's another story) is eating up quite a LOT of space on my hdd. Windows Installer Cleanup utility was the tool of the trade before, but ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
Is it safe to delete the Windows logs folder?
Is it safe to delete the contents of the following Windows logs folder: C:\Windows\Logs (OS: Windows Vista)
Directory of c:\Windows\Logs
10-02-2009 21:23 <DIR> .
10-02-2009 ...
3
votes
1answer
477 views
Cleaning a keyboard of oil?
How does one remove oil, lubricant, or the liquid from a snow globe from the plastic sheets (with conductive traces) of a keyboard?
Originally, I didn't think that the liquid was conductive, or not ...
