It is not a good idea for you to use low-pressure air or
tamed air (a nontoxic gas under pressure) to clean the
keyboard. If you use this method, you may blow dust
and dirt into cracks, crevices and electrical components,
which may result in future problems.
DISPLAY SCREEN.— The display screen needs
routine cleaning as well. A dirty screen can be hard to
read and may contribute to headaches and fatigue. Dust
buildup on the screen can cause static electricity that
may result in lost data. You may use a liquid video spray
cleaner, but do not spray it directly on the screen. Spray
it on a lint-free nonabrasive cloth before you contact the
screen.
NOTE: Many commercial cleaning solvents
contain alcohol and other flammable agents. If your
display screen is on (energized) when it is cleaned with
one of these flammable fluids, combustion can occur.
An energized display screen can discharge quite a bit of
static electricity — a sufficient amount to ignite alcohol.
Therefore, if you intend to clean your screen, turn the
monitor off first.
You also may clean the screen with wet/dry
towelettes. These are convenient to use because the
cleaning solution is normally premeasured and they
come in individual packets. To reduce static electricity,
you can use special antistatic sprays or antistatic pads or
mats. Some cleaning solutions include antistatic
chemicals.
An antistatic filter for the display screen is another
way to reduce static buildup. Antistatic dust covers also
may help when the system is not in use.
PRINTER.— A printer creates its own dust from
being inconstant contact with paper. To clean the printer,
use a vacuum similar to the one shown in figure 16-9.
Cleaning solutions and specially shaped brushes are
available for cleaning platens. For cleaning the print
heads, you can feed a specially designed print sheet
cleaner through the printer just like you feed continuous
form paper.
Overhead Transparency Projector
The overhead transparency projector (fig. 16-10)
must be kept as clean as possible for obvious reasons —
dirt, dust, hair and other foreign objects that attach
themselves to the outside lenses or optical stage will be
distracting to the viewer and result in an unprofessional
presentation.
Clean the outside lenses and optical stage with an
approved lens cleaner or a mild detergent solution and
a clean, soft, lint-free cotton cloth. Do not use paper
Figure 16-10.—Overhead transparency projector.
Figure 16-11.—Opaque projector.
cloths because they may scratch these surfaces. Rinse
and dry all optical surfaces after cleaning them.
Permanent damage can result if they are not rinsed and
dried thoroughly. Any accumulated surface dirt on the
mirrors should be removed with a camel hairbrush only.
Opaque Projector
Simple care and occasional cleaning keeps the
opaque projector (fig. 16-11) in good working order.
Clean its optical elements (projection lens, parabolic
reflector, secondary mirrors, front surface mirrors and
projection lamp) by wiping them with a lint-free rag,
damp chamois or lens tissue.
The front surface mirrors are the most important
optical elements of the opaque projector. When you
compare an ordinary mirror to a front surface mirror,
you will see that the reflective coating of the front
surface mirror is fully exposed, hence its name. The
16-19
