Physical Maintainance of my Toshiba Satellite Pro L500-1XM

[George]

Hello,

About 5-6 months ago I purchased a reasonably cheap Toshiba laptop (runs Linux, not really important). As I use it for about 6-8 hours per day, it's in a pretty bad state at the moment. The other day a key came off, when I was cleaning the keyboard, not too much of an issue as I easily put that back on. So, the keyboard is fine.

The problem is, in between the right click and left click buttons on my touch pad, a lot of 'crap' has filled up in there. The other day I tried using a PC air duster I purchased from Staples, but that didn't make any difference, even though I read the instructions through. I also tried with a hover on full suction to try and see if that would make a difference, and it did, but not much.

The next problem is that the paintwork/gloss is starting to come off, and there are several scratches on it. I thought they could easily be resolved using some Polish, however I thought it'd be best to consult other people before doing that.

So to sum up, scratches on the glossy paintwork and crap between the touch pad buttons.

I was just wondering what you think would be the best way/s to control the situation as I would rather take action now and keep the laptop in a good condition rather than it building up and not being maintainable except taking it to PC World where you would be given an insane bill.

Please note: I am prepared to buy new equipment if you say it's needed to control the situation better. Just some advice on what to do would be great.

Cheers.

 

[Flow'n]

Umm sometimes when that happens we can just get a needle thats skinny and fit it through carefully and crape it out. Or you can get a air compressor and blow like 30psi into the slot and it shout come out.....

Maybe that will work...

 

[.D0T]

Using a thin rigid object to scrape the crap out would be a good option, that should work. Also, as the previous poster mentioned, using compressed air can be used in-between the keys to get ducts and crumbs out.

In regards to the paintwork, I would recommend taking it back to where you purchased the machine and asking for a replacement. The paintwork should not come off after 6 months.

 

[George]

I tried using compressed air, didn't really work.

 

[Flow'n]

Try using a needle then... Compressed air will work, but doesn't always work... Try the air a little harder. But I think a needle or something sharp and small...

 

[George]

Try using a needle then... Compressed air will work, but doesn't always work... Try the air a little harder. But I think a needle or something sharp and small...

I used a needle and it worked like a charm, it's a problem though as the paintwork is silver, and if you loose your hand, you get even more scratches.

So I've decrapified the mouse buttons, thanks guys.

Any ideas for the glossy paint? Is there anything I can do to cover that up?

 

[Flow'n]

So the glossy paint is just chipping off? Or did it rub off?

There is a gloss paint that comes in a can you can but some news paper around the edges of the computer and spray paint it with the clear coat. If you want to try that I can go more in detail.

 

[George]

So the glossy paint is just chipping off? Or did it rub off?

There is a gloss paint that comes in a can you can but some news paper around the edges of the computer and spray paint it with the clear coat. If you want to try that I can go more in detail.

I'm listening.

 

[meneer15]

You can just get a cheap cover made out of plastic that you can stick on your laptop. And for the touchpad keys, try a needle or something else that's thin, sharp and strong or use both the needle and compressed air.

 

[George]

You can just get a cheap cover made out of plastic that you can stick on your laptop. And for the touchpad keys, try a needle or something else that's thin, sharp and strong or use both the needle and compressed air.

But that would be see-through, the marks would still show.