You can save money, increase the performance of your computer, and extend the service life of your system, by regularly checking and keeping your system clean. This process is easy enough to complete yourself, and is well worth the short time it takes to complete.

Don't underestimate the benefits of this simple maintenance task, they are guaranteed to provide results. Here is why dust and dirt shorten the life and performance of your computer:

* Your PC is like a vacuum cleaner, it continually sucks air from one side, and exhausting it from the other

* Dust clings to surfaces within your computer as it passes through in the air

* Dust often turns into a thick greasy consistency due to moisture in the air

1. Dust reduces the life and performance of your Power Supply

• Dust will cause your power supply fans to fail sooner, and run slower
• Your power supply will run hot, causing your motherboard to reduce the speed of your CPU
• The expansion and contraction of components in your power supply is a major cause of failure

2. Dust reduces the life of your CPU, it's fan and components

• Dust builds up in your CPU heat sink and cooling fan
• As the heat builds up, your system tells your CPU to slow down and run cooler
• As with the power supply, the CPU fan is affected in the same manner
• The expansion and contraction form room temp to 80 or more Degrees cencius can have detrimental effects

3. Dust increases the internal operating temperature of your whole system

• See the two points above
• Dust increases the heat of your hard drive, another major cause of failure and data loss
• As dust clings to the case, it slowly blocks the vents that allow air in and out of your computer.
• As dust starts to build up, it becomes more easy for new dust to stick to the old dust. The circle of death!

What can be done to keep your computer clean?

Firstly you can contact us to perform maintenance on your computer for you. Or secondly, you can clean your system yourself. Follow the steps below to help increase the life and performance of your computer system. As always, if you are not confident in completing the maintenance, always use a professional technician for optimum safety.

1. Pick a clean, open area with no obstructions. Don't try to do this on the floor, especially with carpet. Even outdoors on a sturdy table can be beneficial

2. Unplug all the cables and connectors from your computer. Remember to take note of where they were plugged in if you are unsure

3. Sit the computer on the table or bench, and find the screws, latch or button that secures the main cover to your computer. Remove the cover and inspect the components and case for dust, dirt, and even possibly insects and bugs

4. Using the blowing function of a vacuum, your breath if it is strong enough (be careful to keep your breath dry), or best of all a can of compressed air, blow around the components of your computer at a distance of 10 - 20 centimetres. Pay special attention to the CPU, CPU heat sink, and any fans inside the computer. Don't forget around all the crevices and grooves. Dust is difficult to to find between some components like your optical drive (CD/DVD) and hard drive.

5. After cleaning the vents on the computer case, you can use a damp cloth to clean the outside of the computer case. Solvents and cleaners are not usually necessary, and are not advised unless you know how they may affect the materials your computer is made of.

6. Never use a cloth, damp or dry on internal components. Cloth can catch on sharp components and easily damage your system, and moisture or water, can corrode and damage components equally.

7. Re-assemble your computer and attach your cables and devices.

Often your computer can show the rewards of your cleaning, by operating faster, and sounding more quiet, as fans can operate at slower speeds to cool your computer as designed.

* It is always preferable to sit your computer on top of your desk, or on a shelf under your desk. Sitting your computer on the floor, particularly on a carpeted floor, will increase the dust and dirt passing through your computer, and make your computer more accessible to insects and bugs.

I hope this article has been beneficial to you.