How to Clean Inside a PC

Contributor
By James Gapinski, eHow Contributing Writer

Though overlooked by some PC users, regular computer cleaning is important. Proper cleaning consists of more than just brushing the gunk off the mouse pad or disinfecting the keyboard surface. To ensure a long-lasting, well-functioning computer, you need to clean inside the PC, too. Fortunately, cleaning the inner workings of a PC is relatively easy with just a few simple tools and the proper safety precautions; even novice PC users can perform this basic, vital maintenance.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
Magnetic screwdriver
Can of compressed air with attached nozzle
Step 1
Turn off and unplug your computer to protect against accidental electric shock.

Step 2
Let the PC cool down if it was recently in use. Typically, the PC will cool down in less than one hour even if it is quite hot. A hot computer can cause accidental skin burns.

Step 3
Unscrew the main access panel on your computer. On tower PCs, this is often located on the side. For flat PCs, the top panel is typically removable; however, this panel often wraps around, encasing the sides as well, so you may still need to unscrew the sides to remove the top. If you use a magnetic screwdriver, you won't accidentally lose the screws or--even worse--drop them into the computer's internal components.



Read more: How to Clean Inside a PC | eHow.com