A new suite of Cornell IT services combats desktop and laptop computer performance and health risks that have risen with the increase in work-from-home and hybrid settings. These new cleaning and sanitizing services can be ordered for any Cornell-owned desktop and laptop computer and can usually be completed in an hour or less. 

The Hardware Services Repair team has discovered a growing number of machines submitted for repair where an accumulation of dust, dander, or pet hair appears to be the underlying cause of problems like slower or noisier performance, malfunctioning ports, and corrosion. Kevin Kelvington, Manager of the Hardware Repair Services team, provided images to illustrate how the internal components are hampered by debris that goes undetected until it impacts the computer's performance.

In addition to cleaning the internal components of a desktop or laptop computer, the team also offers an external sanitizing service to kill or deactivate pathogenic microorganisms. 

Preventative Cleaning and Maintenance for Computer Longevity 

Like their human operators, computers react negatively to dust. Over time, a buildup of dirt, dust, and dander reduces air flow and increases heat. With the device running hot and struggling to breathe, more problems begin to crop up. The central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) begin to slow down, and crashes may occur at random. 

Dusty contact points and ports may no longer provide solid connections. And a coating of dust on sensitive components acts as a magnet to moisture, leading to corrosion issues for laptops and desktops operated in a humid environment. In many cases, a routine cleaning can easily prevent issues that result in a device being out of service for a longer period of time for repair and restoration. 

UV-C Light Sanitization 

Beyond the hygienic clean that eliminates environmental debris, the Hardware Repair Service team also offers a sanitization service. Electronic-safe anti-bacterial anti-viral wipes are augmented by UV-C light disinfection to effectively kill or deactivate pathogenic microorganisms on a computer’s external surfaces. 

The Hardware Repair Services team expects their new suite of services to reduce downtime by preventing issues like broken fans, overheating computers, and other system failures caused by accumulated dirt, but they also hope to provide some peace of mind for individuals or groups who share devices or are worried about the transmission of germs. 

Choose internal or external cleaning and sanitization services and add on the sticker removal service to help your laptop look new again. Pricing and details about the services and the time needed to complete the various levels of service can be found on the Preventative Maintenance Cleaning and Sanitization page.