When cleaning out a dusty PC, don't....

[Zak33]

....DONT use an old paint brush to move the dust built up on the fan and heatsink etc.

Because, I think it was me doing that, 3 months ago, on Sair's parents PC, that caused the fan headers to recently stop working.

And so when I got the call last night "the PC smells like burning and it wont run for more than a minute" I was bemused.

Visited today (here now) and I find both speed adjustable fan headers are not turning the fans. And with a little bit of inspection, what do I find across the pins?

A paint brush bristle.

I guess that's what it is. Sure looks like it. And now neither of them work.

Luckily I have a fan speed adjuster spare, and a with a molex connector and that, we have CPU cooling, adjustable and quiet again. (thanks to nForce2 and the ABS temp cutoff )

So..... if you use a brush, make sure it's got SECURE BRISTLES!

[Flewis]

I find paintbrushes are also really useful for cleaning heatsinks as you can really get in between the fins. I use a really old brush that has been used so many times the bristles remaining will never fall out.

[JIM_BOB7813]

I didn't think a nylon bristle would cause such a big problem. Are you sure you didn't use a wire brush? ;P

[tiggerai]

air dusters ftw.

[TAKTAK]

air dusters ftw.

too true

[Zak33]

I didn't think a nylon bristle would cause such a big problem. Are you sure you didn't use a wire brush? ;P

I'm suprised too. But I can't find any other reason for the smell of burning, and the fact that those fan headers don#t work now.

It might be the controller somewhere else on the mobo that's buggered, cos the fans move a fraction as though they are trying to turn.

And the mobo reads the fan as either stationary or doing 8600 rpm.

Shame, but it does seem to be the cause.

[s3ds]

i use a new ( deicated ) brush but a buy a goo quality one ( i hate bristles in paint work ) i hover the vacume over as i brush

always seemed to work for me

[[GSV]Trig]

I know a place where there so called IT guy blew PC's around the carpark with an airline...

[UseItNow]

I know a place where there so called IT guy blew PC's around the carpark with an airline...

Sure it's not you?

[[GSV]Trig]

No, we dont have airlines

[MadduckUK]

i can picture them on little trolleys. sounds fun to me!

like robot wars but more...rubbish

[[GSV]Trig]

No wheels involved, he was taking them outside, removing a side panel, laying them down and they zapping them full on with the airline...

[Funkstar]

I know a place where there so called IT guy blew PC's around the carpark with an airline...

BA or EasyJet?

(Sorry, couldn't resist)

[stevie lee]

me and my mate tried cleaning an old psu with an air-line, got rid of all the dust no problem.. fitted pc back together, PSU then set on fire with white smoke and stuff like candy-floss coming out.. was really fun and smelly. computer still booted aswell.