7-4 MaintenanceCleaning the InteriorOne of the most important items in a good maintenance program is regular and thorough cleaning ofthe interior of the server, especially around the mother board.Dust buildup inside the server can lead to several problems. As dust acts as a thermal insulator, abuildup can prevent proper system cooling. Excessive heat will shorten the life of servercomponents. Also, dust may contain conductive or corrosive materials that can cause short circuitsor corrosion of electrical contacts.How often you should clean the interior of the server depends on the environment in which it islocated. For most office environments, you probably should clean the server every 12 months. Formore severe environments, clean the interior every 6 months.Cleaning the interior of the server entails powering off the server and removing the left side cover.You will need a small vacuum cleaner (with plastic tipped nozzle and electrostatic protection),computer grade canned air, and a small brush for cleaning the interior.Follow the procedure below to clean the interior of the server.WARNINGUnplug all power cords.Unplug all power cords before performing any maintenance. Voltage is presentinside the server and display unit even after the power is turned off. All voltageis removed only when the power cord is unplugged.1. Turn off the server and unplug all power cables.2. Remove the logic cover and drive cover. (See Chapter 9.)3. Use a small brush to loosen any dust and debris on the mother board.4. Use computer grade canned air to blow dust off components on the mother board.5. Use a small vacuum cleaner with plastic tip to vacuum out dust and debris from theinterior of the server.6. Reinstall the covers. (See Chapter 9.)7. Reconnect all power cables and turn on the server.
