GENERAL PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

3. Floppy Disk Drives

Floppy disk drives are highly susceptible to failure. This is due mostly to the fact that they are exposed to the environment (through the disk slot) and to mechanical damage from insertion and removal of disks. When they fail, the best solution is usually to replace them because they are inexpensive and simple to install.

Here are a few tips to increase the life of floppy drives and disks: • Do not expose the disks to magnets.

• Never touch the exposed surface of a floppy disk.

• Do not allow smoking near a computer.

• Clean the read/write heads. Special head-cleaning diskettes and solutions such as isopropyl alcohol and methanol that do not leave a residue when they dry are available. Cotton swabs are not recommended because of the fibers they shed. Use cellular foam swabs or a lint-free cloth.

4. Keyboards and Pointing Devices

Keeping a keyboard and mouse clean is the key to prolonging their lives. Never place drinks (coffee, soda, tea, and so on) around a keyboard; spilling liquids is a common cause of keyboard failures.

Here are a few tips to increase the life of a keyboard, mouse, or other pointing device: • Use a handheld vacuum cleaner to remove dust from the small crevices.

• Never use spray cleaners.

• Clean a mouse or trackball by removing the ball and cleaning the rollers (if it has a ball inside). • When using a light pen, never touch the ends with your finger.

5. Printers

Printers are more mechanical than other peripherals and therefore require more attention. Because they use paper, ink, or carbon, printers generate pollutants that can build up and cause problems. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning.

Following are a few steps for cleaning the most popular types of printers.

a. Dot-Matrix Printers

• Adjust the print-head spacing. • Clean the gear train of the paper-handling • Check the tension on the print- motor.

head positioning belt. Use a • Apply light oil to the gears using a foam nonfibrous swab dipped in

swab.

alcohol to clean the print head. • Turn the platen to distribute the oil. • Clean the printer's roller surfaces. • Apply a light coating of oil to the rails.

• Clean the surface of the platen.

• Move the carriage assembly to distribute the

oil.

b. Ink-Jet Printers

• Adjust the print-head spacing. • Clean the gear train of the paper-handling • Check the tension on the print- motor.

head positioning belt. • Apply light oil to the gears using a foam swab. • Clean the printer and its mechanism.

• Turn the platen to distribute the oil. • Clean the printer's roller surfaces. • Apply a light coating of oil to the rails.

• Clean the surface of the platen. • Move the carriage assembly to distribute the • Clean the surface of the ink-jet oil.

print head.

c. Laser Printers

• Vacuum to remove dust buildup and excess toner from the interior. Remove the toner cartridge before vacuuming.

• Clean the laser printer's rollers using a damp cloth or denatured alcohol. • Clean the gear train of the paper-handling motor using a foam swab.

• Apply light oil to the gears using a foam swab. • Distribute the oil throughout the gear train.

• Clean the writing mechanism thoroughly using compressed air. If possible, wipe the laser lens with lint-free wipes to remove fingerprints and stains.

• Clean the corona wires using a foam swab dipped in alcohol. Be careful not to break any of the strands because, if you do, your printer will be rendered useless until they

are repaired.