I've got big dust bunnies coming out of the vents in my mother's Dell XPS T550. The computer is always on, rarely used, and it has never been opened since it's purchase around may or june 1999.I removed them with my fingers and then washed my hands, (yuck!) and ZI could no nothing else about it. THe case is nearly impossible to open. The case looks like this: http://www.pipeline.com/~eterry/old/web/dell1.jpg

Also, it has many used ports in the back, my mother would be upset if I disconnected it and it would be hard to reinstall due to the weird desk. Is there a way I could dust off something? I bet it might have some memory errors due to dust bunnies and the floppy drive is dust ridden.

If you realy want to clean house, opening up the case is your only option. Get a can of compressed air, open the case, go outside and blast that thing clean (no vacuumcleaner!).

If the machine has been on for 5 years, it could die at any moment. Anything could fail (hdd, PS, Cooling fan)

Trying to clean it could easily break something.

Do the FDD and CD-ROM work? I would think that the FDD and CD-ROM are non-functional due to contamination(?)

If you are going to clean it, power everything down, and take it apart gently.

Good Luck
"Use the Force, Luke"

The floppy died a year or two, the CD-rw and DVD-rom drives work perfectly. The DVD ROM drive makes loud noise, yet everything works well. I peeked into my other XPS T450 and I saw that EVERYTHIG IN IT had dust. I tell, you, this may be one of the hardest cases ever to open. Does anyone know how to open it? I checked the user's manual, (yes I have the original copy) and I tried to push the hatches, but I guess I could not do it.

I don't know if this helps...
From the Dell support website:

<BLOCKQUOTE>
To remove the computer cover and support beam from a desktop or mini tower system, perform the following steps:

If you are working on a mini tower system, lay the computer on its right side with the chassis foot off the edge of the work surface to allow the computer to lay flat as shown in the illustration above.

Loosen the cover-mounting thumbscrew that secures the cover to the back of the computer.

NOTE: The thumbscrew is captive and stays in the cover when loosened.

CAUTION: To prevent cuts, keep your hands clear of the metal edges on the chassis and fan guard as you slide the cover back.

Face the front of the chassis. Use your thumbs to press in both cover release latches while pushing the cover backward. Move the cover back about an inch, and then lift it straight up off the chassis. If necessary, use both hands and work one side at a time.
</BLOCKQUOTE>


I've seen dust bunnies make very loud noises when the get stuck in cooling fans.

For what it's worth, the CD-RW/DVD drive on my new (Dec '03) Inspiron 5100 sounds like it has gravel in it...

Yeah, my xps t450 makes really loud noises. Those were exactly what it said in the instruction manual. I am not strong enough to open it. Off topic question: Why does my inspiron 8100, (November 2001) fan make a lot of noise? There is not much dust in it.

That case is a @!#T@ to open. I used to have one and it was a nightmare getting into it.

At least some one knows the trouble I'm going through....

Let me set the scene for ya....

It's Friday Morning, I've been given a project that has to be completed by Monday. I press the power button, but nothing, notta, it's not going to happen.

I spent several hours prying open the case (I think I eventually ended up disassembling the thing) only to find out that I must now buy a new case, motherboard, and psu to get back up and running.

Needless to say I will never by a Dell, Compaq, HP, Gateway, E-Machines, or any other name brand PC since I can build them cheaper and better myself.

First of all,as fellow geek, I would take it as personal challnege to pen the case. It can't be that hard. Put the model in and Dell's website will guide you through it.

Getting the dust cattle out will only prolong the life of the computer.

In the USA you can no longer get canned air that has freon type propellants. They are alcohol based and can spray liquid on component parts, yuck!!.. The alcohol evaporates, but I no loger use it.

I have a nice 10 year old datavac. It is great. I use the sucking action to remove dust from the floppies,PSU and CD-ROM. I use the blowing action (MORE POWER) to remove the dust from components. I have never damaged a PC with a datavac.

The most damaging thing to a computer is heat. Fust on the interior compenents keeps heat in aleads to pre-mature failure.

Clean the machine..... Your mom will thank you when she doesn't have to buy a new one.