cleaning computer interior

crust® · 01-19-2005, 03:49 PM

I've had my computer for over a year now, and I figure it would be somewhat dusty inside. I plan on buying some compressed air, open the side of the case and give it a blow to clean it. Anything I need to consider...safety precautions or ESD? ESD doesn't sound good at all. If I follow those steps in that link everything will be okay right?

Thanks for any assistance

**Fox** · 01-19-2005, 04:07 PM

Following those directions, you should be completely fine. If you do encounter a problem after cleaning, it would probably be because something got knocked loose instead of anything electrical.

But it is a good idea to do what you plan to do- one of my friends wanted to use a vacuum cleaner to try and suck the dust out. Not a good idea. But canned air is fine

crust® · 01-19-2005, 06:33 PM

Thanks.

Would this be okay to use?..and thinking one of these as well.

**Sarkast** · 01-19-2005, 07:40 PM

That canned air is fine - any actually. ;-)
You dont really need the wriststrap unless you intend to touch components / take them out or whatever. If you just take off the side of the case and low out the dust you really dont need to worry about static electricity.
Of course it might come in handy if you do some pc work/ upgrades in the future.

elf · 01-19-2005, 07:56 PM

One thing to take into consideration. When blowing around fans, make sure to hold them still, because if the fan spins without being turned on it will burn out the motor. I've fried a cpu this way

oh and when holding the blades still, don't freeze your finger off...I almost did that too.

crazijoe · 01-19-2005, 07:56 PM

You could probably buy the canned air at your local Walmart or Office Depot for a reasonable price.

crust® · 01-19-2005, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazijoe

You could probably buy the canned air at your local Walmart or Office Depot for a reasonable price.

Well I'm in Australia and we have no Walmarts or Office Depots, but anyhoo, the $14 is AUS which is $10US for 2 cans.

I'll go out and get some later today.

01-19-2005, 03:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
crust® Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13 OS: XP	cleaning computer interior I've had my computer for over a year now, and I figure it would be somewhat dusty inside. I plan on buying some compressed air, open the side of the case and give it a blow to clean it. Anything I need to consider...safety precautions or ESD? ESD doesn't sound good at all. If I follow those steps in that link everything will be okay right? Thanks for any assistance

01-19-2005, 06:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
crust® Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13 OS: XP	Thanks Thanks. Would this be okay to use?..and thinking one of these as well.

01-19-2005, 07:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sarkast TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NY Posts: 2,715 OS: WinXP	That canned air is fine - any actually. ;-) You dont really need the wriststrap unless you intend to touch components / take them out or whatever. If you just take off the side of the case and low out the dust you really dont need to worry about static electricity. Of course it might come in handy if you do some pc work/ upgrades in the future. __________________ P4 2.4@2.9 / XP-90 / Albatron PX865PE Pro V2.0 / Kingston Hyper-X 512MB Dual Channel CL2-2-2-5 / Geforce4 MX440x8 64MB / WD80GB 7200RPM 8MB / Thermaltake 420W PSU --> SEE IT ALL GLOW <-- MBM5 - SpeedFan - PSU Calculator - MemTest86 - ThrottleWatch

01-19-2005, 07:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
elf Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Knoxville, TN or Austin, TX depending Posts: 7,038 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 and Windows 7 My System	One thing to take into consideration. When blowing around fans, make sure to hold them still, because if the fan spins without being turned on it will burn out the motor. I've fried a cpu this way oh and when holding the blades still, don't freeze your finger off...I almost did that too. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! I do not subscribe to threads, so if I stop replying, PM me with a link to your thread so I can find it again.

01-19-2005, 07:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
crazijoe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Omaha, The Center of the Universe Posts: 7,632 OS: WinXP, Win2K3 My System	You could probably buy the canned air at your local Walmart or Office Depot for a reasonable price. __________________ Microsoft MCSA + Messaging, MVP, A+, Network+ http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...other/Help.jpg Do you want a real Republican? HDD diagnostic tools / HDD data recovery software

01-19-2005, 04:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
Fox TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	Following those directions, you should be completely fine. If you do encounter a problem after cleaning, it would probably be because something got knocked loose instead of anything electrical. But it is a good idea to do what you plan to do- one of my friends wanted to use a vacuum cleaner to try and suck the dust out. Not a good idea. But canned air is fine