Unfortunately, unlike a desktop computer, a laptop is not as easy to open and clean. However, there are still several steps an end-user can do to clean and maintain their laptop or portable device. Before cleaning a laptop, we suggest the laptop first be turned off and unplugged. Also, because you are going to be cleaning the laptop, we also suggest you remove the battery. Cleaning a laptop case Cleaning a laptop keyboard Cleaning a laptop mouse (touchpad) Cleaning the LCD (screen) Cleaning internal laptop components Other cleaning information and help Cleaning the exterior portion of the laptop case can help keep the laptop looking new. The exterior case of a laptop can be cleaned by using a cotton cloth that has been dampened with water. It is not recommended that the exterior case of the laptop be cleaned with household cleaning solutions. However, if there is a substance on the laptop that cannot be cleaned with water, we suggest using rubbing alcohol.

If dust, dirt, hair, or other substances are in the case openings, it can prevent airflow, which can cause the laptop to overheat and may even cause it to reboot unexpectedly. Look for laptop openings where the laptop draws in cool air from outside or blows out any hot air from the inside of the laptop. These openings are usually on one of the sides, the back, or the bottom of the laptop. Dust, dirt, hair, or other substances can almost always be removed using a cotton swab or compressed air. Caution: If you are using compressed air to clean the openings that have fans within them, the amount of air blown on the fans can cause them to spin too fast, damaging or destroying the fan. To help prevent this issue, place something in-between the fan blades, such as a toothpick, to keep the fan from spinning why blowing compressed air at and through the fan and air ducts. Like almost everything else on a laptop, a keyboard is also different from the standard computer keyboard.

With many laptop keyboards, the keys cannot be completely removed. laptop cooling fan amazon ukTherefore, we suggest cleaning the keyboard by using the same damp cloth you used to clean the exterior case of the laptop. air duct cleaning ctAlso, compressed air can be used to blow out any dust, dirt, hair, or other substances from in-between and underneath the keys.cylinder vacuum cleaners best buy If you have spilled something onto the laptop keyboard that is causing the keys to stick and cleaning it does not help, we suggest that you have the laptop professionally serviced.best vacuum cleaner most suction

Cleaning the laptop touchpad can help improve the look of the laptop, and it also may help to improve the responsiveness of the touchpad. best vacuum cleaner 2012 europeTo clean the touchpad surface, use the same damp cloth used to clean the exterior of the laptop.best way to clean grease off car seats Additional information about cleaning LCD and flat panel displays can be found on our main cleaning page. Cleaning the inside of a laptop computer can be a difficult task. However, in some situations, it may be necessary because of excessive dust and dirt buildup within the laptop, such as on the processor's heat sink. Disassembling a laptop is much more complicated than disassembling a desktop computer. Because of the small form factor, it is much more difficult. Instructions for disassembling a laptop depend on the laptop model and brand.

Because there are so many different brands and models of laptops, we are unable to provide information on how to disassemble every laptop. If after performing the cleaning steps listed above, you still believe the laptop is overheating because of dust or dirt, we suggest taking the laptop to an authorized repair center. If you still prefer to disassemble the laptop and clean it yourself, you need to find instructions for doing so from the manufacturer, if available, or by searching on the Internet. Note: The manufacturer's warranty may be voided if you disassemble the laptop yourself. Additional information and help with cleaning other portions of computers as well as discs and other computer related peripherals can be found on our main cleaning page.A notebook will get dirty. It is inevitable that dust and dirt will build up inside and out. This dirt will begin to make a notebook computer operate at a higher temperature compared to when it was new. a notebook overheats then it is prone to errors and possibly shutting down during CPU-intensive

activities such as gaming, video and image editing and when running distributed computing programs such as Folding@Home. If your notebook is experiencing BSODs or complete shut-downs then the culprit could be a dusty, dirty CPU and heatsink. This means it’s time to clean it and gain back stability. Just how to do it is what this guide is all about. The notebook computer used in this demonstration is a 6-month old Toshiba A30. It’s too was overheating and turning itself off while running Folding@Home. The source of these errors was a dust-ridden heatsink. The notebook reached a temperature of 76 degrees Celsius under full load before it turning off. (A digital thermometer was used to measure the temperature at the base of the heatsink.) After cleaning the heatsink and removing the layer of dust on the fan shroud it now operates at a temperature of 51 degrees Celsius under full load with a variance due to ambient temperature. That 20 degree Celsius drop is more than welcome.

ADVISORY: Icrontic assumes no responsibility if you damage or void the warranty of your notebook computer when attempting to clean your heatsink. Proceed at your own risk. If you are not up to the task then take the laptop to a qualified professional at your local service centre. Always consult the owner’s manual. Here is a list of recommended tools and supplies. It may vary depending on the notebook computer in question. Before starting remove the battery and disconnect any cables to the notebook Opening the notebook computer can be either an easy task or a hard one. all depends on the notebook computer. Some, like the demonstration Toshiba, have an access panel for the CPU and heatsink area. Some may have access to the whole cooling assembly and some may not have any access to the heatsink and CPU. that don’t have a convenient access panel to the CPU, heatsink and fan(s) will have to be completely disassembled to gain access. **Take the notebook to a qualified professional at a local servce centre if you are not

up to the task. Proceeding may void the warranty and possibly damage the notebook. Proceed at your own risk.** A Torx bit (T-9) is needed to undo the screws in order to gain access to the CPU and heatsink inside the Toshiba A-30 notebook computer. With the access panel removed, undo the screws holding down the heatsink. Unforunately, in this notebook computer, removing the heatsink from the CPUThe thermal paste that Toshiba used permanently “glued” the heatsink to the CPU core. The CPU socket had to be unlocked with a slotted screwdriver so the CPU and heatsink could come out as one unit. Use some tissue or toilet paper to wipe off the old thermal paste once the heatsink is removed. It is preferable to use Q-TIPS as they will not disintegrate as easily. Use the isopropanol alcohol to moisten the Q-TIP in order to remove any excess thermal paste. Remove the large clumpsUse canned air to remove smaller deposits of dust. If the CPU heatsink is removable from the processor then it may be washed with warm water.

USE A HAIRDRYER TO 100% DRY OFF JUST THE HEATSINK BEFORE REINSERTING or leave it to dry overnight. DO NOT use a hairdryer on a processor. You WILL damage it. Better yet…use the isopropanol alcohol as the fluid evaporates completely within a minute. Remember…water and electronics do not mix. Use an open paperclip and stick it through the fan grill so the fan blades don’t move in preparing to clean the fan and fan area. Use the canned air to blow out any dust or clean as much as possible with an alcohol soaked cotton If the processor is permanently affixed to the heatsink then the entire unit can be carefully put back in place. Carefully position the CPU and heatsink so all the pins line up with the CPU socket pin holes. Very gently push the CPU and heatsink down into the CPU socket. It should go in with very littleIf it does not…adjust the CPU and heatsink unit position and try again. Once it is in place then lock the CPU socket the same way it was unlocked.

If the CPU is not affixed to the heatsink then clean the heatsink surface and the CPU die with some isopropanol alcohol soaked cotton swabs to remove any residue of the old thermal paste. Apply a thin layer of thermal paste to the CPU die face. Use a credit card or business card to “trowel” out the thermal paste to an even and complete layer as if the entire surface area of the cpu that comes into contact with the heatsink had a glaze to it. Place the processor in the socket and it should insert easily. If not try again. Do not use excessive force. Reinstall the heatsink carefully and lock everything into place. Put back the access panel or reassemble the notebook. Reinstall the battery and cables and now boot up the notebook computer. The notebook computer should run considerably cooler after cleaning the heatsink and fan. Note that the fan doesn’t come on as often and it should not shut-down during CPU-intensive activities. If errors continue then this is most likely software or memory related and please seek help in Icrontic forums.