Cleaning the system

Your system and its components need to be cleaned occasionally. Some programs that help maintain the integrity of the hard drives in the system come as part of the Windows 95 and Windows NT operating systems. The following sections contain information about cleaning the various external parts of the system.

Cleaning the mouse

If the mouse pointer on the screen moves erratically when you move the mouse, dirt is probably on the rollers inside the mouse.

To Clean the Mouse

1.Shut down the system.

2.Turn the mouse upside down and remove the mouse ball cover.

3.Cup your hand under the mouse, then turn the mouse right-side up. The gray mouse-ball should drop into your hand. If it doesn’t, gently shake the mouse until the ball drops out of the socket.

4.Once the mouse ball is free, use adhesive tape to pick up any dust or lint on its surface and wipe away dirt or lint inside the mouse-ball socket. You can also blow into the socket to remove dirt and lint. If foreign matter is trapped inside the socket or on the rollers, use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to loosen it. Allow surfaces to dry completely after cleaning.

5.Return the mouse ball to the socket and replace the cover, then restart the system.

Cleaning the keyboard

Occasionally you should clean the keyboard to free it of dust and lint particles trapped under the keys. The easiest way to do this is to blow trapped dirt from under the keys using an aerosol can of air with a narrow, straw-like extension.

22 Gateway ALR 8300 User’s Guide