• The Trackball
The trackball is susceptible to contamination inside its housing, just like a mouse is. You
will need to clean the housing occasionally. When the ball starts moving less easily and
your control of the cursor becomes less precise, you know it is time to clean it. The next
section explains how to do it.
Cleaning the Trackball
Cleaning the trackball is actually a two-part operation. You have to clean both the
trackball and the housing it sits in. Follow this procedure to do it:
1. Remove the trackball-retaining ring.
There is a small hole in the ring at the 12 o’clock position. Stick the tip of a straightened
paper clip in the hole, press down slightly and rotate the ring counter-clockwise until the hole
is at the 11 o’clock position. The ring will pop up a little and you can take it off.
2. Remove and clean the trackball.
With your hand covering the housing, remove the ball by turning the computer over so the
ball falls out into your hand. Use a clean, lint-free cloth to wipe the ball clean, then put it
aside on the cloth.
3. Clean the housing
There are several bearings and rollers built into the side of the trackball housing. Gently use a
computer-cleaning swab moistened with isopropyl alcohol to clean the bearings and the inner
surface of the housing. Don’t overdo it. Use as little pressure as will get the job done. You
can use more than one swab if necessary.
4. Replace the trackball and retaining ring.
Drop the ball back into the housing and replace the retaining ring so that the hole in the ring
is at the 11 o’clock position. Insert the tip of the paper clip in the hole, press down slightly
and rotate the ring clockwise to the 12 o’clock position.
When you’re finished, turn on the computer and test the trackball to make sure it’s working
properly.
Figure 26: Cleaning the Trackball
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