How to clean your PC

[Samantha]

Although I've used PCs for years now and know enough about them to be dangerous, I've never come across a good, thorough explanation of how to clean the darn things. Some component manuals include instructions for cleaning the component, like a tape drive, but how does a person clean the inside of the PC itself. I'd like to see this added to The PC Guide.

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[ixl]

Hi Samantha,
It's a good idea. I know it's not complete, but have you taken a look at this part of the System Care guide (http://www.pcguide.com/care/care/comp.htm)?

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Charles M. Kozierok ( ixlubb@PCGuide.com )
Webslave, The PC Guide (http://www.PCGuide.com)
Comprehensive PC Reference, Troubleshooting, Optimization and Buyer's Guides...

[ixl]

This is a test, pay no attention.

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Charles M. Kozierok ( ixlubb@PCGuide.com )
Webslave, The PC Guide (http://www.PCGuide.com)
Comprehensive PC Reference, Troubleshooting, Optimization and Buyer's Guides...

[Samantha]

Yes, Chief, it's good. I was thinking of expanding upon the following:

"Clean Motherboard and Expansion Cards: As part of an annual cleaning, the motherboard and expansion cards should be cleaned. This will improve cooling of the motherboard components. The easiest and safest way to clean out the inside of the box is using compressed air, available at most computer stores."

How to physically clean the inside of the box is not particularly self-evident. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif I bought some compressed air a while ago at the local Radio Shack and asked the clerk about using it. He said something about being careful not to hold the nozzle too close or spray too long. That made me nervous enough that I never did try cleaning it.


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[Son of Zeus]

Samantha & Charles,

If u have ever wondered How To Clean Your Hard Drive try this link: http://www.pcnineoneone.com/howto/cleandrive1.html

It starts out as follows:
"So you empty your temp folder, run scan disk and defrag your hard drive on a regular basis to clean up your data, but what about the drive itself? If you have ever opened the case of a computer you know how much dust, tumbleweeds, lost bytes and other household dirt collects inside the case over time. Today I'll show you how to dismantle your hard drive for a thorough cleaning to ensure clean data and a longer life of your hard drive.

What you need
To achieve the best results, you should gather up these simple household items before you get started:
 a screwdriver - you'll probably get by with just a Phillips-head, but a flat-head one comes in handy as well for prying pieces apart etc.
 a hammer - you know, for those ornery parts that just won't budge.
 a can of compressed air - alternatively, the air hose at the gas station will do just fine.
 a clean cloth, e.g. one those nice linen napkins in the back of the kitchen cabinet for special occasions.
 a toothbrush - if you don't want to use yours, take somebody else's, they'll never notice.
 dental floss - my hard drives prefer mint flavoured/unwaxed, but check with your drive first.
 soap and water - or a dishwasher if you're lazy like me.
 some oil - preferably a spray can of WD-40 for easy application."

What should be very self-evident is that my, & your, hard drives will never be the same should u take their advice.

Best of luck......Son of Zeus. :-)

P.S. Disclaimers ie. No care & no responsibility taken for this post.

[Will Rickards]

Originally posted by Samantha:
I bought some compressed air a while ago at the local Radio Shack and asked the clerk about using it. He said something about being careful not to hold the nozzle too close or spray too long. That made me nervous enough that I never did try cleaning it.


Try spraying it with the can upside down... pretty cool effect that will help you understand the warnings. (note: I mean spray in the air, not on or near your computer) Compressed air is just that compressed air. If you hold the nozzle too close you may spray the component with some of the white stuff that comes out of the can. The same goes for spraying too long, you may start to get spurts of white stuff. You may notice as you use the can that it becomes cold.

It is the same deal with bug spray or hair spray... If the can isn't shaken enough you get a liquid discharge instead of the vapor. It isn't some difficult thing that you should be afraid of. Just practice spraying the stuff on something less dangerous first... like books on a bookshelf that collect dust on the tops of them. The main purpose is to remove the dust. Have fun http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif


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Will Rickards ~ wrickard@home.com
http://www.willrickards.net

[ixl]

Hey Will... welcome to the forums.
Well, I don't know, it may depend on what kind you get, but my compressed gas can here definitely isn't compressed "air". It has a flammability warning and says it contains difluoroethane. Air is mostly nitrogen and I don't think they can really get that into an aerosol can in compressed form. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif
The cold stuff does spray out if you hold the can upsidedown, and in fact some people use this to cool down objects (not reocmmended). As long as you keep the can upright though it's perfectly safe.

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Charles M. Kozierok ( ixlubb@PCGuide.com )
Webslave, The PC Guide (http://www.PCGuide.com)
Comprehensive PC Reference, Troubleshooting, Optimization and Buyer's Guides...

[Samantha]

Zeus, LOL!

Maybe I should have posted this thread in another forum first, but thanks for the advice.


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[noorani]

Originally posted by Samantha:
Although I've used PCs for years now and know enough about them to be dangerous, I've never come across a good, thorough explanation of how to clean the darn things. Some component manuals include instructions for cleaning the component, like a tape drive, but how does a person clean the inside of the PC itself. I'd like to see this added to The PC Guide.



IT IS NOORANI HERE
I M FROM PAKISTAN
HERE IN PAK THERE IS VERY MUCH DUST PRESENT. YOU CAN USE A BLOWER(A DEVICE WHICH BLOW OR GIVE AIR AT A VERY HIGH SPEED.).

THANK YOU


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UMER DARAZ NOORANI.
DIRECTOR
NOORANI TEXTILE.
E-MAIL
umernoorani@hotmail.com
PH #
092-41-781144 , 715167

[Peter A. Jaciw]

In cleaning your PC with compressed gasses of any sort, be sure they are desgned for the PC. The problem with any basic compressed canister of air or mechanically forced air devices, is that they WILL generate a static feild that can and will spell death for the component/s the field forms around. The best advice would be preventative. Wether you are an overclocker creating a direction specific airflow or just a user with factory/builder set cooling, a closed case and a filter directly over the intake/s should keep you components free of dust and buildup right up until it is time to upgrade anyway.

[Bongman]

Just a note,if your using the difluoroethane type of duster do not shake the can you will most likely get the same effect as turning it upside down
I suggest you spray it away from your computer at first just to make sure no liquid comes out.and finaly *use in awell ventilated area* I was doing a complete internal cleaning using almost all the can non-stop in a confined space and I became very dizzy and sick to my stomach for about 30 minutes...not nice.

Cheers,
bongman http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif