Dell Desktop Care - Maintenance, Cleaning, and Ergonomics

General maintenance guidelines

Computer maintenance means keeping your computer in a good condition both internally and externally. A well-maintained computer looks good, maximizes your Dell desktop lifespan, and performs reliably.

Regular maintenance helps extend the life of your Dell desktop and protect the privacy and security of your data.

To learn more about general maintenance tasks like organizing cables, updating drivers, operating system updates, hardware diagnostics, see the Dell knowledge base article General Maintenance Guidelines For a Dell Computer.

Cleaning the computer

The guidelines mentioned below apply to all Dell-branded computers, monitors, docking stations, keyboards, mice, and so on.

• We recommended you wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
• Turn off the device that you plan to clean and disconnect AC power. Also, remove batteries from items like wireless keyboards and mice. Never clean a product while it is powered on or plugged in. Replace with new batteries if required.
• Disconnect any external devices.
• Never spray any liquid directly onto the product.
• Moisten a microfiber cloth with a mixture of 70% isopropyl alcohol and 30% water. The cloth should be damp, but not dripping wet. Excess moisture should be removed if the cloth is wet before wiping the product. Using any material other than a microfiber cloth could damage your product.
• Gently wipe the moistened cloth on the surfaces to be cleaned. Do not allow any moisture to drip into areas like keyboards, display panels, so on Moisture entering the inside of an electronic product can damage the product. Excessive wiping could potentially lead to damaging some surfaces.
• When cleaning a display screen, carefully wipe in one direction, moving from the top of the display to the bottom. Surfaces must be air-dried before turning the device on after cleaning. No moisture should be visible on the surface of the product before it is powered on or plugged in.
• The display screen may be cleaned again using a glass cleaner designed for display surfaces following the directions for that specific cleaner (Dell Technologies recommends avoiding glass cleaning products containing Ammonia).
• Discard the disposable gloves used after each cleaning. Clean your hands immediately after the gloves are removed and discarded.

You may experience some visible cosmetic changes to finishes over time as a result of the cleaning process outlined above on some surfaces. Other cleaning chemicals are harsh and may damage surfaces. Avoid using any of the following chemicals or products containing these chemicals:

• Any chlorine-based cleaner, such as bleach
• Peroxides (including hydrogen peroxide)
• Solvents such as; acetone, paint thinner, benzene, methylene chloride, or toluene
• Ammonia, such as Windex
• Ethyl alcohol

Product use and handling

Observe the Product Safety and other Regulatory information provided with your product, on product labeling, and provided on the Dell.com/support website. In addition, observe the following use and handling guidelines to help prevent damage to your computer:

• Protect your computer from environmental hazards such as dirt, dust, food, liquids, temperature extremes, and overexposure to sunlight.
• To help protect your computer from sudden, transient increases and decreases in electrical power, use a surge suppressor, line conditioner, or uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
• Place the computer on a flat surface that is secure and does not have any obstructions.
• Leave a 10.2 cm (4 in) minimum clearance on all vented sides of the computer to permit the airflow required for proper ventilation.
• Do not stack other equipment or place them so close together that it is subject to re-circulated or preheated air.
• Do not place the computer in a closed-in wall unit, or on a soft, fabric surface such as a bed, sofa, carpet, or a rug.
• Keep the computer away from radiators and heat sources.
• Leave adequate clearance on all vented sides of the computer to permit the airflow required for proper ventilation.
• Do not restrict airflow into the computer by blocking any vents or air intakes.
• Do not operate the computer in an enclosure that does not allow airflow unless adequate intake and exhaust ventilation are provided on the enclosure. Restricting the airflow impacts your computer’s performance, possibly causing it to overheat.
• If your enclosure has doors, they must be of a type that allows at least 30% airflow through the enclosure (front and back).
• Do not use the computer in a wet environment, for example, near a bath tub, sink, or swimming pool or in a wet basement.
• Do not use AC powered devices during an electrical storm. Battery powered devices may be used if all cables have been disconnected.
• Ensure all the cables are securely connected at both ends.
• Hold the plug when you connect or disconnect the cables.
• Ensure that nothing rests on your equipment’s cables and that the cables are not located where they can be stepped on or tripped over.
• Ensure that all cables are connected to the appropriate connectors. Some connectors have a similar appearance and may be confused (for example, do not plug a telephone cable (RJ11) into the network (RJ45) connector).
• To prevent electric shock, plug the power cable into properly grounded electrical outlets. If the computer is provided with a three-prong power cable, do not use adapter plugs that bypass the grounding feature, or remove the grounding feature from the plug or adapter.
• Check the voltage rating before you connect the computer to an electrical outlet to ensure that the required voltage and frequency match the available power source.
• Your desktop computer is equipped with either an internal power source or an external adapter. For internal power sources, the computer is equipped with an auto-sensing voltage circuit or a manual voltage selection switch. To help avoid damaging a computer with a manual voltage selection switch, set the switch for the voltage that most closely matches the AC power available in your location.
• Clean any air vents on the front, back, and sides of the computer. Lint, dust, and other foreign materials can block the vents and restrict the airflow.
• Clean the LCD screen with a soft, clean microfiber cloth and water. Apply water to the cloth, and then stroke the cloth across the display in one direction, moving from the top of the display to the bottom. Remove moisture from the LCD screen quickly and keep the display dry. Exposure to moisture such as rain or a liquid spill can damage the product. Do not use a commercial window cleaner to clean your device. For more information, see the Dell knowledge base article Guidance for Keeping Your Dell Technologies Equipment Clean.
• The LCD screen and touch screen on Dell monitors, all-in-ones, and laptops are made of polarized glass. This glass could break if the device is dropped or receives a significant impact. Sharp objects can cause scratches or permanent damage to the LCD screen.

Guidelines for handling and using the power cable and AC adapters with your Dell desktop

• Use only the Dell-provided AC power cable. Operation with any other power cable may damage the device or AC adapter or may present the risk of fire or electric shock.
• Use only the Dell-provided AC adapter approved for use with your Dell all-in-one computer. The use of another AC adapter may cause a fire or explosion.
• Place the AC adapter in a ventilated area, such as the top of a desk or on the floor, when you use it to run the computer or to charge the battery.
• Do not cover the AC adapter with papers or other items that reduce cooling.
• The AC adapter may become hot during the normal operation of your computer. Use care when handling the adapter during or immediately after use.
• Do not twist the power cable or AC adapter cable. Prolonged twisting of cables can damage or fray the cable and present a risk or fire or electric shock.
• More safety instructions are supplied with each Dell computer. Read and follow the safety instructions provided with your computer.

Ergonomic instructions

• Position the computer so that the monitor and keyboard are directly in front of you as your work. Special shelves are commercially available to help you correctly position your keyboard.
• Set the monitor at a comfortable viewing distance (usually 450 to 610 millimeters (18 to 24 inches) from your eyes).
• Ensure that the monitor screen is at eye level or slightly lower when you are sitting in front of the monitor.
• Adjust the tilt of the computer's display, the contrast and brightness settings, and the lighting around you (such as overhead lights, desk lamps, and the curtains or blinds on nearby windows) to minimize reflection and glare on the display.
• Use a chair that provides good lower-back support.
• Keep your forearms horizontal with your wrists in a neutral, comfortable position while using the keyboard and mouse.
• Always leave space to rest your hands while using the keyboard and mouse.
• Let your upper arms hang naturally at your sides.
• Ensure that your feet are resting flat on the floor.
• When sitting, ensure that the weight of your legs is on your feet and not on the front of your chair seat. Adjust your chair's height or use a footrest, if necessary, to maintain proper posture.
• Vary your work activities. Try to organize your work so that you do not have to type for an extended period of time. When you stop typing, try to do things that use both hands.
• Keep the area under your desk clear of obstructions and cables or power cables that may interfere with comfortable seating or present a potential trip hazard. Do not twist the cables, instead use commercially available cable organizers, zip ties, or cable wraps to manage and organize the cables.

If you are experiencing issues with your Dell desktop or all-in-one, see the Dell knowledge base articles mentioned below.

Run a Dell hardware diagnostic test

• If the computer can boot into the operating system and has an active internet connection, run a quick test using SupportAssist
• If the computer cannot boot into the operating system run a pre-boot system assessment, see the Dell knowledge base article How to Enter the Built-in Diagnostics (32-bit Diagnostics, SupportAssist ePSA, ePSA, and PSA)

Helpful resources

• Dell Laptop Best Practices for Care, Use, and Handling
• Dell PC Does Not Turn On or Boot Into Windows
• Power and Fans
• Audio and Speakers
• Wired Networking
• Monitors and Screens
• Mouse, Keyboard or Touchpad
• Software and Downloads
• Security and Antivirus