The techniques used for cleaning alaptop LCD screen, whether it's for a desktop or laptop computer, are filled with controversy! 

Generally, no one recommends using any liquids because they can damage the LCD's delicate surface. Even so, you've gotta have something to rub with if you ever plan on getting that sneeze residue off the thing!

1. For general cleaning, get a soft, lint-free cloth.

   Use it to wipe the dust off themonitor.

2. Dampen a sponge or lint-free cloth with water.

   Be sure to wring out all the excess moisture. Rub the screen's surface gently, and don't get any excess liquid on or inside the monitor.

3. Let the monitor dry completely before closing the lid!

Here are some other things to remember:

• Often times, the keyboardcreates "stains" on the screen. They're hard to avoid and even harder to clean off. To help prevent the stains, consider storing the soft, lint-free cloth that you use to clean the monitor inside the laptop, between the keyboard and screen.

• Office-supply stores carry special LCD screen cleaners as well as the lint-free wipes that you can use to clean your screen and the rest of your laptop.

• One product that is recommended is Klear Screen, from Meridrew Enterprises (www.klearscreen.com). No, it's not cheap. You want good, not cheap.

• Avoid using alcohol or ammonia-based cleaners on your laptop screen! They can damage the LCD screen.

• Never squirt any cleaner directly on a laptop's screen.

All modern PCs, laptops included, have a special Startup or Setupprogram. 

This program is not a part of your computer's operating system (Windows). Instead, it's built in to the computer's circuitry, orchipset, and it might also be referred to as the BIOS Setup program.

What the setup program does is configure your laptop's hardware. It keeps track of such things as how much memory (RAM) is installed, the type of hard drive, whether or not you have a CD-ROM or DVDdrive, plus other hardware options. The Setup program also keeps track of the time with the computer's internal clock as well as other random things.

Be sure that you know how to get into your laptop's Setup program. The method used to access it differs from computer to computer. Commonly, to get into the Setup program, you press a specific key or key combination on the keyboardwhen the computer first starts (and before Windows starts). On most laptops, the special key is Del or F1. If your laptop uses a different key, be sure to make a note of it.

One important item to know about in the Setup program is the security system, which usually includes a password. You shouldn't set that password when you're just getting used to your laptop. Instead, wait until you're more familiar with it. If you do use a password, make sure you write it down, or you will not be able to access your computer.

If you miss the full size and action of a real PC keyboard, get one! Just plug it into your laptop, either into the keyboard port or a USB port, whichever is available. 

You can start using the keyboard the second it's plugged in.

Note that adding an external keyboard often doesn't disable the laptop's internal keyboard. You can use both! But you're probably not crazy enough to do that.

When you're done using the full-size keyboard, simply unplug it.

• If all you're yearning for is to have a separate numerickeypad, consider getting only that item. You can pick up a USB numeric keypad, which is just the keypad and not the entire keyboard, at most computer stores and office-supply stores.

• Sometimes, the only way you can add a non-USB keyboard to your laptop is by getting a port replicator or docking station.

• The standard color for a PC's keyboard connector — the hole somewhere on your laptop for plugging in the keyboard — is purple.

All laptops have a special low-power mode, called Stand By mode or Sleep mode. 

In this mode, the computer is still on but power to certain areas is shut off. That way, you can keep the laptop ready for an extended period without wasting a lot of battery juice.

Your laptop can slumber in Sleep mode for quite some time, much longer than it would otherwise stay alive when it's turned on. The amount of time the laptop stays in Sleep mode depends on various power settings in Windows. You can direct Windows to sleep for maybe 30 minutes and then have the laptop automatically turn itself off or switch into Hibernation mode.

The method for putting your laptop to sleep varies, depending on whether your laptop has a sleep button and which version of Windows you're using. Keep in mind that you should always save your work before your laptop enters Sleep mode.

Putting your laptop to sleep by using the sleep button

When your laptop is blessed with a sleep button, pressing it puts the laptop to sleep instantly. But, hang on! The sleep button's function can be changed, so pressing that button may not always put the laptop to sleep.

Putting your laptop to sleep (Stand By) in Windows Vista

To "sleep" your laptop when Windows Vista is the operating system, heed these steps:

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click the triangle next to the Padlock icon.

3. Choose Sleep from the pop-upmenu.

   

Putting your laptop to sleep (Stand By) in Windows XP

To put your laptop to sleep in Windows XP, follow these steps:

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click the Turn Off Computer button.

When there hasn't been anykeyboard or mouse activity for a set amount of time, Windows may go into Stand By mode when you're using battery power.

The idea here is to save power; when the computer thinks that you're distracted or off for a walk, it slips off to sleep to conserve power.

To revive a snoozing laptop, simply press a key on the keyboard or tap on the mouse pad. That wakes the sucker up, bringing it back to active duty.

After waking up the laptop, you may have to log in to Windows again. That's okay — in fact, it's what you want; it's very insecure not to have the Windows logon appear when the laptop wakes up from Sleepmode.

• If your laptop doesn't wake up after you press a key, press the power or sleep button to wake it up again.

• If you closed the lid to put the laptop into Stand By mode, opening the lid wakes it up.

• The key you press to wake up the laptop isn't passed along to whatever program is running. So, if the screen says "Destroy all your data files? Y/N" and you press the Y key to wake up the laptop, nothing dastardly happens. Even so, you may want to push the Ctrl key on the keyboard to wake up your sleeping laptop.

• One reason a laptop may not wake up is that the battery is probably dead. Check the laptop's power-on lights. If they're off, the battery is dead.

• If the laptop still doesn't wake up, you may have a problem with the system's power management software. Try pressing (and holding) the power button until the unit turns either off or on again. Then try starting up the laptop as you normally would. Ask your dealer or laptop manufacturer for updated power management software.

Because most laptops lack a printerport, USB printers are the way to go. You can connect your USB printer by following a few easy steps:

1. Plug in the printer, and ensure that it's turned off.

   Also, set up the printer with ink and paper and all that other good stuff, according to the directions that came with the printer.

2. Connect a USB cable to the printer and to your laptop.

3. Turn on the printer.

   Because you're using a USB printer, it knows the printer's name and brand, and it even completely installs software for you, setting everything up just so.

After the printer has been set up and recognized by Windows, you can either print or save some energy and turn the printer off. You can even disconnect it when you don't need it. Reconnecting the printer simply reactivates its support in Windows.

• Leave your printer turned off when you're not using it.

• You can unplug the printer's USB cable without having to use the Safely RemoveHardware icon on the system tray. Just unplug the cable, and Windows bids adieu to your printer.

• No, it's not a good idea to unplug or turn off your printer while it's printing.

• If you're having trouble adding your printer, open the Control Panel and double-click the Printers or Printers and Faxes icon to display the list of printers available to your computer. The Add a Printer or Add Printer task can be clicked to run the Add Printer Wizard, which helps you complete the printer setup task.