Community weekly poll: How often do you physically open your computer to clean it?
- 1/5/06 11:54 AM
Use a leaf blower first!
by jamesh8448 - 1/6/06 3:26 PM In reply to: How often do you physically open your computer to clean it? by Marc Bennett
I usually clean my computers about twice a year. My first step is taking the unit outside and removing the covers. Then I break out the leaf blower.
First hit the power supply fan from the outside. A couple bursts is enough, otherwise you might overspin the fan bearing.
From the front blow out the intake vents. A few bursts is all you need. CAUTION: Do not blow directly into any type of drive which you access from outside.
Floppy, CD/CDR, DVD/DVDR, etc.
Starting from 8' to 10' away I approach the CPU until the dust begins to fly.
When that settles down, I move closer to the back side of the power supply and clear that dust out.
Now you can take it inside and complete the cleaning with conventional methods. I remove and reseat all the cards, check cable and ribbon cable connections, etc.
Jim Helmick
cleaning the inside of your computer
by leapline - 1/6/06 3:26 PM In reply to: How often do you physically open your computer to clean it? by Marc Bennett
I was told by circuit city not to clean the inside of you computer at home for the following reason. If you have static electricity in your home it could be dangerous. Can someone shed some light on this?
Dangerous?
by tedlaj - 1/9/06 8:08 AM In reply to: cleaning the inside of your computer by leaplineIt can be dangerous to the circuitry of the computer; not you. I'm confident that you have been popped by static electricity before. Or are you a member of the thick rubber soles brigade? Merely touching the metal case while it is grounded will discharge any static buildup. If you are rolling around on the carpet in a dry atmosphere while you are cleaning the computer you had better keep yourself grounded.
I never have
by cledwards - 1/6/06 5:13 PM In reply to: How often do you physically open your computer to clean it? by Marc Bennett
I've never opened a computer just to clean it. I've been inside to fool with stuff, but I've never opened one up just to clean it, and have never been inside one that I thought was even moderately dusty. I just get a new one every couple years anyway. I guess if I opened one up that's been sitting a few years it may be dusty, but what's the point?
Dont get ripped off!
by gringojo - 1/6/06 5:35 PM In reply to: How often do you physically open your computer to clean it? by Marc Bennett
Clean it your self! just be carfull
New option plz
by irignak - 1/6/06 8:26 PM In reply to: How often do you physically open your computer to clean it? by Marc Bennett
I clean my boxen every 2-3 weeks. I have a server and a desktop that are on 24/7, they only go down for physical maintence, and even then I have my backup server. It is imperitave that my boxen stay clean. I can't really afford to buy new hardware, hahaha. But then again my carpet dosn't make it easy in my room.
I didnt 'clean' my computer that good
by 00nanokid00 - 1/6/06 8:27 PM In reply to: How often do you physically open your computer to clean it? by Marc Bennett
Ok, i tryed it one time only. I just use a fan and try to blow it out ....but it didnt work that well. After all those videos i saw, i'm going to clean my computer. It could be the reason why my computer is heating up higher than normal.
Thanks CNET, i owe you man.
Why do I clean my computer once a month?
by insaneswenson62 - 1/6/06 9:36 PM In reply to: How often do you physically open your computer to clean it? by Marc Bennett
I live in Phoenix Arizona and becuase we don't get much rain(hasn't rained In 5 months now)The air is always dusty and I live in a NON air conditioned house. Dust is always a problem here. You can one day dust and the next, it's dusty again. I will open up my computer once a month and it is usally pretty dirty, if it's not I will let it go till next month. I am a mechanic and I have a air compressor with a filter that keeps moisture out uf the air for my air tools and I use it to blow out the dust. Usally twice a year I take my CPU fan off the chip and also the one of the vidieo card and clean them with air and a Q-Tip. I also do the same with my two big fans that bring air in and remove the air. The Q-tip I found out works really well to clean the blades and the surrounding areas of the fan.
Clean my PC?
by ralphguay - 1/6/06 9:37 PM In reply to: How often do you physically open your computer to clean it? by Marc Bennett
Since it is a PC, it breaks down often enough that the dust hardly settles. My mac actually resists dust much as it as does virusus...;-)
rb
Cleaning out the PC
by Joseph61 - 1/7/06 2:45 AM In reply to: How often do you physically open your computer to clean it? by Marc Bennett
There are a lot of scary stories about this subject.
First of all, there are not that many risks when you know what you are doing and what you can touch. I bet that not many PC's have that much junk in it as mine does.
3 cd/dvd players/burners, (1 scsi, 2 ide), 6 HD's(2 sata,2 ide +2 scsi)6 fans -3 for the HD bay only!!!-it was geting too hot in the summer i first build it.
I clean it out two or three times a year with a hoover a brush and compressed air.
Nothing ever went wrong and no ESD problems either.
Have fun, Joseph.
PC box cleaning
by grahamj - 1/7/06 3:07 AM In reply to: How often do you physically open your computer to clean it? by Marc Bennett
My PC has a security sticker such that if I open the box I'd have to break it and lose my warranty.
Go Nude!
by huntys011 - 1/7/06 3:09 AM In reply to: How often do you physically open your computer to clean it? by Marc Bennett
Hi, I live in Australia - Queensland. It's bloody hot, to cope with this I have removed the covers from all my machines. Hence their insides are constantly exposed. I can see the dust bunnies begin their breeding cycle and am compelled to exterminate them. Short story - go nude and keep your dust bunnies under control.
Cleaning computer - go nude
by fugmo - 1/7/06 6:06 AM In reply to: Go Nude! by huntys011I have thought about this in the past. I concluded that the machine is put together in such a way as to have correct air flow through specific components to allow proper cooling when running, much like the air compressors I sold at work. So I have not removed the covers for this reason. Another reason would be if you have pets and kids. I have, however, gone barefoot to try and eliminate build up of static electricity while cleaning. I also use a vac to clean the internal fan area.
Every 6 months or so...
by wh5916 - 1/7/06 11:06 AM In reply to: How often do you physically open your computer to clean it? by Marc Bennett
I use a can of compressed air to loosen/blow out the dust, directing it towards the motherboard and other components. I also direct the compressed air into power supply vent holes. To catch dust that is sent flying from this method, I turn a canister vacuum on first, and hold the hose close to the computer case in my other hand. It's an annoyance, but a necessary evil.
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