Dust

[Destroyer^]

my case and components seam to be egtting very dusty im wondering whats best to get dust off the case and components like fans etc ?

[noah]

can of compressed air, maplins do invertable ones for a fiver or less

[mike_w]

my case and components seam to be egtting very dusty im wondering whats best to get dust off the case and components like fans etc ?

The best would probably be cans of compressed air. You can get them from Maplins, although it is quite expensive. Apparently, you can also get them from any good camera store since they are used to keep prints clean (blame my brother if I'm wrong )

[StormPC]

Don't put it there in the first place. Move the computer to an area that is less dusty.

Compressed air works the best but you need to make sure you hold the fan from spinning so you don't kill it. If you're using canned air read the instructions and make sure your computer is unplugged from the AC. If you use a commercial air hose make sure the system has a dryer installed so condensation isn't a problem.

[Dr. X]

Had no problems wiht a vacuum cleaner before, if you're careful and keep grounded

[BenW]

vacuum cleaners are meant to charge the air particles or something which can short circuit bits.

Could buy some fan filters which will reduce the ammount of dust getting in the case

[sawyen]

Compressed air would be my best bet.. Tried it... and worked pretty well. You can get it off Maplins for 5 quids on a 250ml ones. I'd got mine from Staples for 6 quids on a 400ml variant... But watch out for frozen hands tho... and NEVER try continuous use. Could get as painful as dry ice on ur hands..

[Nox]

Last time I had to clean a computer that was really bad I used a 2hp air compressor - blinking spotless by the time it has finished!! I usually use compressed air otherwise, but nothing will ever be as good as the proper job! I've also moved my computer onto the desk to stop it picking up all the cat fluff.

Nox

[skuzgib]

I use an airbrush + a can of air ( or a compressor )

and the vac

[Rave]

I just use a vacuum cleaner, never had any probs. I use one with a hose though, an upright probably wouldn't be such a good idea

You can use a pan scourer as a cheap dust filter apparently, but with my fans it knackers the airflow so I just resign myself to hoovering out my SLK-800 every month.

[Matt1eD]

I use a vacuum cleaner, however (never happened to me blame my cousin in IT if I'm wrong) the discharge thing that happens when it is switched off causes some sort of surge.

[NenMaster]

how much air do you get out of these cans?

[noah]

enough for 10 breaths






well...mine lasted about 5 clean outs i think.

[rajagra]

Last time I had to clean a computer that was really bad I used a 2hp air compressor - blinking spotless by the time it has finished!!

Don't they spray out traces of oil? Not sure if it's enough to harm a PC, but I know I would let one anywhere near a camera.

Anyway, as a last resort: inhale ... purse lips ... blow.
Optional: close eyes before last step.

[Butcher]

I use a vacuum on my radiator. The rest of my kit doesn't really pick up dust.

[Nox]

Don't they spray out traces of oil? Not sure if it's enough to harm a PC,

Considering they are used for spray painting cars etc, I would of thought it was pretty unlikely, unless you have an old knackered one maybe? The PC it was used on was a pentium 90 that had been switched on from new, 12+ hrs a day in a smokey office until about a year ago... I couldn't see the memory sockets!!! and barely where the processor was. Then told my parents 'nope' you need a new computer - its too old to upgrade!

Nox