Cleaning PC

[TheFallen]

Hey guys, a few months ago i put together a rig thanks to you guys here at hexus and everything is going fine so far, but was just starting to worry about the dust slowly building up in my computer. What i wanted to know is, what is the best method of cleaning the dust out of a computer, some say that the best way is to use a can of compressed air but then others say that this could damage you computer ny getting into circuits etc.

So if its possible could somebody tell me what the best way to clean the dust out of a computer.

Thanks

[watercooled]

Personally I use a hoover on the lowest setting with no attachments like a lot of other forum members, just be careful not to bang anything with the nozzle avoid touching any PCBs and be careful not to suck up any small bits/wires etc obviously. For more caked-on dust like on fan blades use a clean duster or something. As always when working inside a PC take ESD precutions i.e. touch the bare metal case regularly; it's best if you leave the PC plugged in but not switched on at the wall so earth is still connected.

[sniperdude]

I use the hoover with brush attachment but i have been told in the past not to as the hover motor
and generate static


but i still use the hoover and have done for many years but you could always buy a can of air

[watercooled]

I think it's probably safer+cleaner to use a hoover rather than canned air TBH - canned air just moves the dust around so your PC can suck it back in or so you can breathe it in, the 'air' is toxic and you have to be careful not to freeze anything with it. It's also quite expensive.

[Anastie]

I tend to use compressed air and the hoover. Hold the hoover nozzle close to where I blast the compressed air and the hoover collects most of the debris.

[Zak33]

AND.....

go to the supermarket and buy a very cheap bag of pan scourers (not metal ones.. you want the flat green meshy ones)

http://www.tulipcatering.co.uk/produ...e/Scourers.jpg

Then.. cut them to fit the air intakes where the fans suck in (prolly at the front) and cable clip them on behind the frint facia panel.

They only fractionally slow air flow, and catch LOADS of fluff and dust. They are cheap... very cheap.. and you can hoover them clean or wash and dry on a radiator.

[spoon_]

That's some ghetto dust filter idea there Zak

[circuitmonkey]

I've always used a vacuum (dyson rather then a hoover like some people appear to be using )
Again, I don't touch any of the components with it, and I always make a point of unplugging the fan headers, or prevent the fans from spinning up, I just don't like the idea of a dynamo effect generating current unnecessarily

[Zak33]

That's some ghetto dust filter idea there Zak

I've been doing that since P2 days... so a long old while.

It's felxible, easy to cut push a hole through for the cable ties, and it's SO CHEAP.

And after 6 months.. when you take it out and look at what it caught, you just can't stop loving it.

[0iD]

I'll second this, versatile things they are. Make a good baffle material for paintball gun silencers too

[Biscuit]

When im doing a proper clean i usually take it completely apart and clean everything with compressed air separately and outside of the house/flat. Its not too much of an issue for me though as i upgrade fairly regularly.

Some isopropyl alcohol and lint free cloths are good for wiping clean electronics as the liquid will evaporate pretty quickly. You can get a huge metal can of it for like £8-10 usually from a hardware store and it will last you like... forever.

[Odc]

AND.....

go to the supermarket and buy a very cheap bag of pan scourers (not metal ones.. you want the flat green meshy ones)

http://www.tulipcatering.co.uk/produ...e/Scourers.jpg

Then.. cut them to fit the air intakes where the fans suck in (prolly at the front) and cable clip them on behind the frint facia panel.

They only fractionally slow air flow, and catch LOADS of fluff and dust. They are cheap... very cheap.. and you can hoover them clean or wash and dry on a radiator.

I used to do this before I got my new case that already has dust filters in it. Great way of keeping general rubbish out!

[mikemikemi]

I use compressed air to blow dust out of hard to reach places and hoover everywhere else.

Dust filters also help slow the build up of dust, I only open my pc up once every few months to check and if it looks ok I leave it.

[shadowmaster]

A hoover and a high level of hand control

[TheFallen]

Thanks for the replies guys i know i can alwasy come here for help. So i will use a a hoover to get the dust out and will look for the pan scourers next time i go shopping.

Thanks again

[AledJ]

What is the best way to clean the back fan on a computer? Do I simply unscrew it ?