[mfmcgreal]

(Apologizes for this not being slightly off topic and not regarding building, but couldn't find anywhere more suitable :thumb

Hi,

I've had my new computer since September, and looking at it today, it's gathered quite a bit of dust. On the outside of the case, the inside, and especially the air vents where the fans are situated.

Anyway, i feel it's about right to order the gear and clean it out before the dust starts effecting the performance of the computer. So, I understand i need to order some cans of canned air for spraying the dust out from the side of the computer ? I plan on ordering some cans of eBay, how many cans should i order?

Next, what's the procedure?... as I don't want go all guns blazing spraying everywhere and end up killing the computer.

Also, once you've sprayed away the dust, do you simple wipe it up with a tissue or something?

My final question is regarding the fans. I have one situated at the back which is easily accessible and shouldn't be a problem cleaning.

There's one at the front which might be tricky. I can take the front of the case (BitFenix Merc Alpha) off but would that result in the DVD drive being ripped out ?

Finally, the PSU fan, which is facing downwards and only accessible from the air vent underneath the case...how would i go about that?

Help is appreciated,

Cheers.

 

[Tyree]

Use compressed air or canned air to blow out the case interior and components. Use a NON-metallic object (small paint brush-popsicle stick-etc.) to hold any fans to prevent them from spinning while applying the pressurized air.
If there is dust/grime that will not come off the fan blades with air, remove the fan from the case and use 90% alcohol on a soft cloth to wipe the blades.

 

[mfmcgreal]

Use compressed air or canned air to blow out the case interior and components. Use a NON-metallic object (small paint brush-popsicle stick-etc.) to hold any fans to prevent them from spinning while applying the pressurized air.
If there is dust/grime that will not come off the fan blades with air, remove the fan from the case and use 90% alcohol on a soft cloth to wipe the blades.

Cheers.

Just a few more questions that need answering...

1. How many cans of air will be required?

2. Is their a certain distance I should spray the can from so it doesn't damage the components?

3. Once you've sprayed away the dust of the components, do you simply wipe it up with a tissue or something? (Because you surely don't leave the dust lying about in the case)

4. There's a fan positioned towards the front of the case. I can easily get to it if I remove the front of the case off, but in doing that, wouldn't the DVD drive be ripped out?

5. The PSU Fan is only visible from underneath the case through an air vent, and it's got a fair bit of dust in it, how can i clean that?

Cheers.

 

[shotgn]

Cheers.

Just a few more questions that need answering...

1. How many cans of air will be required?
1 should suffice

2. Is their a certain distance I should spray the can from so it doesn't damage the components?
Keep at least 6 inches, Do NOT tilt the can or spray upside down to where the liquid comes out

3. Once you've sprayed away the dust of the components, do you simply wipe it up with a tissue or something? (Because you surely don't leave the dust lying about in the case)
Avoid wiping (except for outside the case) causes static electricity

4. There's a fan positioned towards the front of the case. I can easily get to it if I remove the front of the case off, but in doing that, wouldn't the DVD drive be ripped out?
Not necessarily, unscrew or unhook anything holding the dvd drive in.

5. The PSU Fan is only visible from underneath the case through an air vent, and it's got a fair bit of dust in it, how can i clean that?
Compressed air, you can turn the case on the side to get to the bottom.

Cheers.

Keep in mind you are not going to get every bit of dust out.....The bulk is what you want to get rid of. Depending on your climate, you may want to increase the cycles in between cleanings.

 

[Tyree]

The number of cans required would depend on the amount of dust in the case.
No particular distance is required, the closer you are the more effective the air, it's just air in a can with a propellent that is harmless.
No need to wipe anything off unless there is grime built up that air won't remove.
The optical (DVD) drive is secured to the chassis with screw or clips and should bot come out with the case front.
Just blow into the PSU from all angles that you can get to.

 

[mfmcgreal]

Thanks guys.

Their isn't actually that much dust, it's mainly the fans where it's gathered, so 1 can should be enough. Am i fine spraying the CPU fan as long as i hold it?

Also, is it different with the PSU fan...as in you don't have to hold the blades when spraying air into it? Like i say, the only way i can access it is via the air vent underneath the case, so i don't really think i would be able to hold the blades anyway.

So to conclude, basically when cleaning inside the case, have it standing up so it doesn't require me tilting the can...then rip off the front of the case and clean the front fan....then finally put the case on it's side to access the PSU fan?

 

[JimE]

It's recommended to hold ALL fans from spinning. For fans inside hardware such as a power supply, I use a plastic electronics screw driver. Anything non-conductive will work.

 

[mfmcgreal]

Will order the following cans tomorrow: 2 X COMPRESSED AIR DUSTER /CLEANER 400ml SPRAY CAN | eBay

Then I'll clean it next weekend when i have the time. My only concern still is ripping off the front of the case.

Here's the case i have: BitFenix Merc Alpha Review - Beta - YouTube If you skip to 3:28 in the video, you can see the guy ripping off the front of the case without any problems. However i have a Optical Drive, Front fan and all the USB etc stuff plugged in at the front, and I'm seriously concerned ripping off the front of the case will take all of that with it?

Of course there's possibly another option, that being to clean the front fan by going inside the computer instead, meaning spraying the fan from behind, without taking the front of?

 

[Tyree]

The front fan and optical drive are affixed to the case frame and not the front panel so removing the front panel shouldn't be a problem.