Keyboard safety

Keyboard safety

       If dirt, food, or liquid gets under its keycaps, a keyboard can develop all sorts of problems, including keys that stutter, get stuck, or just stop working. The very best maintenance tip for a keyboaryd is to keep fod and beverages away from it completely. After the monitor, the keyboard should be cleaned more frequently than any other component on the PC. The keyboard is an open-faced device that collects whatever falls or spills on it. To clean a keyboard and perform preventive maintenance, use the following steps:

• The easiest and best way to clean a keyboard is to turn it upside-down and shake it.

• You can open a cleaning hole so that large items can fall out by removing the keycaps of the last three keys on the right-hand end of the keyboard, which are the -,+, and ENTER keys of the Numeric keypad. To remove a keycap, gently pry it up with a small flat-bladed screwdriver.

• Use a can of compressed air to blow out the keyboard. Use the air stream to sweep the debris toward the removed keys or toward one end of the keyboard.

• Use a non static blower brush,vrush vacuum, or a probe to lightly loosen any large or stubborn debris and then stake the keyboard or use compressed air to blow it out.

• If one or two keys are sticking or have stopped working, disconnect the keyboard from the PC and pry off the keycap (the part with the letter or number printed on it) with a screwdriver or another thin flat-bladed tool. Clean under and around the key switch using a cotton swab with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on it. Use compressed air to blow it dry and replace the key(s).

• Anytime liquid spills on a keyboard, immediately disconnect it from the PC (it gets its power from the pC cable) and turn it upside down. Besides this shut down your computer immediately. The popular practice is simply to let the liquid dry. The problem with this practice is that most liquids contain minerals and materials that are acidic to metals. You keyboard will never be the same unless the offending liquid is removed before it dries.

• If the keyboard has had soda pop, fruit juice, or some other sticky liquid spilled into it and the keys are beginning to stick and stutter, your choices are to replace the keyboard or wash it. Understand that introducing water into an electronic deviceis always risky, but if you use proper care, you can wash a keyboard. Newer keyboards are sealed under the key switches to protect the keyboard grid. Anything that spills in the keyboard is likely to settle on the keyboard membrance as sticky gunk. Use warm, clean water to rinse the residue out of the keyboard.

• After you have cleaned the keyboard, replace any keycaps you removed or replace the keyboard's cover.

• Most of the time, you also need to clean the outsides of the keys and keyboard case. Alcohol works the best because it evaporates without leaving moisture behind to seep inside the keyboard. Never pour the alcohol directly on the keys or case. Pour a small amount on the cloth and then wipe the keys and case. The same goes for the cleaner, if you choose to use one. A cotton swab dipped in cleaner or alcohol will get tight spots. Agin, be absolutely sure that the keyboard is dry berore connecting it to the PC and powering it up.

• After you've cleaned the keyboard and are absolutely sure that the keyboard is dry, reconnect it to the PC and reboot the system. Watch the POST process carefully for keyboard errors. After the PC is running, test the keyboard by pressing each key and verifying its action.