Best way to clean PC

[branch37]

What is the best way to clean the inside of a PC of dust ect... short of using compressed air that blows the crap everywhere?  I understand that is probably the easiest way, but can it cause damage to anything?

[gyrene81]

just don't inhale the dust you blow out of the system. i use the compressed air and a vacuum cleaner at the same time.

[SilverZ06]

soap and water.......

[TequilaChaser]

just don't inhale the dust you blow out of the system. i use the compressed air and a vacuum cleaner at the same time.

Also if you are using an air compressor, I suggest lowering the psi regulator to below 60 PSI ( is personal preference )

also before applying / aiming thenozzle toward the innerards of the PC  hold it away fora short period of time to blow out any moisture build up that air compressors cause, unless you have a moisture accumulator device on your air compresor rig

finally, use twist ties to lock down the fans on your PC / PC case to keep them from burning up the bearing from the air compressor over speeding them while cleaning them

hope this helps   ( edit:  I will not  / do not use those compressed air cans you can buy at walmart / target / radio shack, etc. )

TC

[Tigger29]

I used a leaf blower once on a computer... in the back yard.  It did a good job but I can't really recommend anyone do this.  For the record it was on a NASTY old computer which had been sitting on the floor of a pet hair infested home for many years.  It did clean it out well and I was shocked when the computer continued to work afterwards!

[gyrene81]

the canned air isn't bad, as long as you keep it upright. make sure you find the non-propane based stuff though. 

[Bino]

   Tigger, that must've been one filthy computer!   

All good points, above.  I would just add: be careful about static electricity discharge when using a vacuum cleaner... or a leaf blower! 

I used a leaf blower once on a computer... in the back yard.  It did a good job but I can't really recommend anyone do this.  For the record it was on a NASTY old computer which had been sitting on the floor of a pet hair infested home for many years.  It did clean it out well and I was shocked when the computer continued to work afterwards!

[guncrasher]

use a swiffer duster, it works really good.  make sure computer is cold and make sure you leave no duster plastic parts on your components.  I use it about once a week on the outside of my puter specially over the fans, it actually keeps it pretty clean.  rest use can air, then use the duster once again.

semp

[RTHolmes]

50p pastry brush and a vacuum

[Tigger29]

  Tigger, that must've been one filthy computer!   

All good points, above.  I would just add: be careful about static electricity discharge when using a vacuum cleaner... or a leaf blower! 

Oh it was absolutely disgusting.  It was given to me to try to fix but was so ancient it wasn't even worth opening up to install a new hard drive into so I built them a new one.  When all was said and done I decided to try to get that one running just for the heck of it.

I opened it up and found literally five or six inches of pet hair packed into the bottom of it.  It almost looked like a rodent's nest in there!  That's when I got the bright idea of taking it into the backyard and giving it the leaf blower treatment!  It did clean it up real nice though!  What was especially shocking was that the fans still all worked.. didn't even make any sound!

[branch37]

Thanks guys 

[LeDragon]

I use an air compressor since I have one.  I take the comps outside to clean them and just hold the fans to keep them from spinning. A paperclip with one leg straightened pushed through from the back works really well.

[Tigger29]

I use an air compressor since I have one.  I take the comps outside to clean them and just hold the fans to keep them from spinning. A paperclip with one leg straightened pushed through from the back works really well.

What's wrong with them spinning?  Making them spin at a million RPM is half of the fun of blowing air on these things!

[OOZ662]

I seem to remember Skuzzy saying that he blows his computer out with a leafblower as well.

use a swiffer duster, it works really good.  make sure computer is cold and make sure you leave no duster plastic parts on your components.  I use it about once a week on the outside of my puter specially over the fans, it actually keeps it pretty clean.  rest use can air, then use the duster once again.

Sounds like a great way to rack up static electricity...by the way, it's best to not use regular vacuums on computers and, if you do, be very sure to not touch any components other than the metal case with the hose. Air rubbing on plastic is the same as rubbing a balloon on your head.

What's wrong with them spinning?  Making them spin at a million RPM is half of the fun of blowing air on these things!

A motor being spun by an outside force turns into a generator. Modern motherboards have diodes in place to protect against this, but may as well not risk it. Plus, they're not designed to spin so fast which is very hard on the bearings and will reduce the life of the fan, especially on the crappy sleeve bearing fans.

[SilverZ06]

A motor being spun by an outside force turns into a generator.