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Article ID : S700023655 / Last Modified : 12/07/2018

Cleaning your VAIO notebook

    Your VAIO may need occasisional cleaning during the product lifetime. This article will provide you with a number of tips and cautions to help you clean your VAIO effectively while avoiding damaging it accidentally.
    difficulty rating Difficulty rating:
    Very Easy    		 time needed Time needed:
    10 minutes activity

    Cleaning different parts of your VAIO requires different methods. You will find the appropriate methods to clean the VAIO's special areas as well as the VAIO in general below.

    Cleaning the display
     
    WARNING: Don't use any chemical cleaner, abrasive materials or water. Using any of these may damage the display's surface coating or it's electronics respectively. Don't apply pressure to the LCD. Even if you don't cause cracks, you can destroy individual LCD elements creating dark clouds inside the screen.

    1. Obtain a soft, dry cloth. Microfibre cloth is preferred.
    2. Shut down the VAIO, unplug the AC-Adapter and remove the battery.
    3. Tilt the VAIO's display to a 90 degree angle and flip the VAIO to rest on the display's back cover instead of the units feet. Use a cloth to avoid scratches to display cover.
    4. Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the display gently without pressure. Use light reflected off the display to spot dust.
      If there are any spots left, proceed to the next step.
    5. Beathe on the spots that remain on the display and then try again to wipe them off with the soft and dry cloth.
      If there are any spots left, proceed to the next step.
    6. Put one of your hands under running water. Shut off the water, shake the excess water off your hand.
    7. Grasp the dry cloth with your wet hand to moist it slightly, then use the now slightly moist cloth to gently wipe away any remaining spots from the display.
    Cleaning the keyboard and touchpad

    WARNING: Don't use any chemical cleaner, abrasive materials or water. Using any of these may damage the keyboard's printed letters, it's electronics and even the mainboard if excess liquid is applied. 
    Be aware that the keyboard's individual keys are clipped in place and can be torn loose if pressure is applied sideways.

    1. Obtain a soft, dry cloth. Microfibre cloth is preferred. A soft paint-brush is helpful.
    2. Shut down the VAIO, unplug the AC-Adapter and remove the battery.
    3. Place the VAIO in working position on a table.
    4. Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the keyboard and touchpad gently. To reach into gaps, use a soft brush.
      If this is insuficient, proceed to the next step.
    5. Hold down and clean individual keys that need attention. Holding them down allows you to apply more sideways pressure safely.

    Cleaning the VAIO's cooling system

    WARNING: The VAIO's cooling system replies on steady, unobstructed airflow through the heat sink to work. If dust gets sucked into the VAIO and gets stuck in the heatsink, it's effectiveness will decrease greatly. Throughout cleaning requires disassembling the VAIO and should only be done by a VAIO repair center. The procedure below is meant to reduce the amount of dust stuck in the heatsink.
    Be aware that depending on the temperature and amount used, compressed air will be liquid. Test your can of compressed air before using it on your VAIO.

    1. Obtain a can of compressed air. This is sold by computer and electronics supply shops.
    2. Shut down the VAIO, unplug the AC-Adapter and remove the battery.
    3. Place the VAIO upside down on a table. Use a cloth to avoid scratches to display cover.
    4. Locate the exhaust of the VAIO's cooling system. You should be able to see the heat sink through the grill.
    5. Use the can of compressed air to blow the dust off the heatsink's inner surface.