- 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.
TIP: You should always wear safety glasses or other eye protection when using compressed air.- Use a nonstatic blower brush, brush vacuum, or a probe to lightly loosen any
large or stubborn debris and then shake 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
keyswitch 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. - 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 device is always risky, but if you use proper care, you can wash a
keyboard. As explained in Chapter 18, 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 membrane as sticky gunk. Use warm, clean
water to rinse the residue out of the keyboard. By continually testing the keys,
you can tell when you have rinsed the keyboard long enough. In extreme cases,
you can wash the keyboard in a dishwasher with no soap. Even after the
dishwasher’s dry cycle, let the keyboard sit facedown for a few hours and
then blow it out with compressed air. Before connecting it to the PC, be very
sure that the keyboard is completely dry. - 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. Use a soft, lint-free cloth and a little isopropyl alcohol or a nonsudsing
general-purpose cleaner to wipe away any body oils, ink, or dirt on the keys
or 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. Again, be absolutely sure that
the keyboard is dry before connecting it to the PC and powering it up.
(^574) PC Hardware: A Beginner’s Guide