Shenron_
Posts:
8,665
Registered:
Dec 8, '02
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 6,513
User ID: 746,590
|
Subject:
Cleaning inside computer
|
|
how do you do it? do you have to use compressed air? is it so dangerous to use a slightly damp rag if everything is unplugged and grounded?
-----signature-----
(none)
|
|
Link to this post
|
jarom_td
Posts:
4,571
Registered:
Aug 8, '00
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 4,443
User ID: 38,737
|
Subject:
Cleaning inside computer
|
While you 'might' be able to use a damp rag and do no damage, I wouldn't risk it.
I use compressed air. Cleans everything I need it to. And can clean places a rag can't get.
But this has been recommended on this board several times. I'll eventually get one once my wife stops spending all our money.
http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-ED500-500-Watt-Electric/dp/B001J4ZOAW
http://vnboards.ign.com/pc_generalhardwaresoftware_tech_support_board/b22497/115921547/
-----signature-----
Thanks to iTunes, now you can get free TV shows for just 99 cents
|
|
Link to this post
|
Steelwind_Oo
Title: Lurking Oo
Posts:
32,879
Registered:
Sep 30, '00
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 31,007
User ID: 46,829
|
Subject:
Cleaning inside computer
|
Do not use a damp rag, do not touch the insides of the computer at all if you can help it. A can of air is the best way to do it or a blower. A vacuum isn't usually advised either but if you are careful it can do the job in a pinch.
I use that first link Jarom but that is mainly because I'm a tech by trade so use it quite a bit. I can see it being handy for a non-tech though and it is pretty cheap if you think you'll use it for more than just blowing out the computer every couple months.
-----signature-----
'God is an imaginary friend for grownups.', Walter Crewes (Morgan Freeman), The Big Bounce
Don't be afraid to ask dumb questions they're easier to handle than dumb mistakes!
Xbox 360 Gamer Tag: SteelwindOo
e93% a53% s33% k13%
|
|
Link to this post
|
Ursa_Major
Title: The Key Masher!
Posts:
2,403
Registered:
May 12, '02
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 2,394
User ID: 678,275
|
Subject:
Cleaning inside computer
|
|
With the canned air - once you use the can for several seconds it'll become very cold and lose pressure. You can warm the can back up under slightly warm tap water (not hot) to "recharge" it. Just make sure not to get the nozzle/straw bit wet. Dry the can off and go back to blowing out the dust bunnies. You may want to clean your computer outside or in a porch area as the dust can be pretty bad.
-----signature-----
"There is an art to flying, or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss. Clearly, it is this second part, the missing, that provides the difficulties." - Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
|
|
Link to this post
|
Ravynmagi
Title: Moderator
Posts:
29,978
Registered:
Dec 23, '01
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 29,452
User ID: 572,278
|
Subject:
Cleaning inside computer
|
Dust does far less damage than water. 
-----signature-----
(none)
|
|
Link to this post
|
Nakal
Title: Moderator
Bad Moogle
Posts:
19,542
Registered:
Jul 9, '02
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 19,238
User ID: 695,821
|
Subject:
Cleaning inside computer
|
|
You could always use an air compressor! Lol :-)
-----signature-----
Currently in the MMO unemployment line.
Can I get $15/month for not playing them?
|
|
Link to this post
|
-Mithan-
Title: VNBoard Admin
Posts:
1,000,060,379
Registered:
Mar 1, '00
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 56,880
User ID: 13,156
|
Subject:
Cleaning inside computer
|
|
I put through the dishwasher but I add a lot of Rubbing Alcohol to the water and it evaporates right after.Works well.
-----signature-----
I survived to the end and got nothing out of it, but hey.
|
|
Link to this post
|
Sprawl-zero1eye-
Title: IGN Vault Staff
Reziztance iz Futile
Posts:
53,263
Registered:
Jun 28, '02
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 52,657
User ID: 692,733
|
Subject:
Cleaning inside computer
|
|
The computer? lol...
-----signature-----
Mirkwood MUD, OneEye IvoryFang, Lord of the VampireZ (Retired) AC Frostfell, Clan Z - Lvl 239 Grief Dagger (Retired) WoW Lightbringer Alliance, Z Guild - Lvl 85 Combat Rogue (Retired) Making iOS Apps these days at http://zsprawl.com/iOS
|
|
Link to this post
|
-Mithan-
Title: VNBoard Admin
Posts:
1,000,060,379
Registered:
Mar 1, '00
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 56,880
User ID: 13,156
|
Subject:
Cleaning inside computer
|
Sprawl-zero1eye- posted:
The computer? lol...
Sure, try it.
You need to use a restaurant dishwasher though.
-----signature-----
I survived to the end and got nothing out of it, but hey.
|
|
Link to this post
|
Steelwind_Oo
Title: Lurking Oo
Posts:
32,879
Registered:
Sep 30, '00
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 31,007
User ID: 46,829
|
Subject:
Cleaning inside computer
|
One of those self service car washes would be better. That power washer will knock the dust out of the most stubborn heat sink. 
-----signature-----
'God is an imaginary friend for grownups.', Walter Crewes (Morgan Freeman), The Big Bounce
Don't be afraid to ask dumb questions they're easier to handle than dumb mistakes!
Xbox 360 Gamer Tag: SteelwindOo
e93% a53% s33% k13%
|
|
Link to this post
|
Quazimortal
Title: The One and Only
Posts:
17,806
Registered:
Sep 18, '04
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 17,157
User ID: 968,129
|
Subject:
Cleaning inside computer
|
|
Wow...
-----signature-----
“A painter paints his pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence.
We provide the music, and you provide the silence.†~Leopold Stokowski
|
|
Link to this post
|
Ravynmagi
Title: Moderator
Posts:
29,978
Registered:
Dec 23, '01
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 29,452
User ID: 572,278
|
Subject:
Cleaning inside computer
|
Good for cleaning dishes... not so good for cleaning motherboards and graphics cards.
-----signature-----
(none)
|
|
Link to this post
|
Marzuk
Posts:
12,545
Registered:
Oct 21, '02
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 12,348
User ID: 729,742
|
Subject:
Cleaning inside computer
|
jarom_td posted:
But this has been recommended on this board several times. I'll eventually get one once my wife stops spending all our money.
http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-ED500-500-Watt-Electric/dp/B001J4ZOAW
http://vnboards.ign.com/pc_generalhardwaresoftware_tech_support_board/b22497/115921547/
While it should be no surprise, I came here to post exactly this
You'd think that I owned the company or something!
-----signature-----
(none)
|
|
Link to this post
|
Sprawl-zero1eye-
Title: IGN Vault Staff
Reziztance iz Futile
Posts:
53,263
Registered:
Jun 28, '02
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 52,657
User ID: 692,733
|
Subject:
Cleaning inside computer
|
|
I'll pass on my computer, but I've heard of people using dishwashers for keyboards though.
-----signature-----
Mirkwood MUD, OneEye IvoryFang, Lord of the VampireZ (Retired) AC Frostfell, Clan Z - Lvl 239 Grief Dagger (Retired) WoW Lightbringer Alliance, Z Guild - Lvl 85 Combat Rogue (Retired) Making iOS Apps these days at http://zsprawl.com/iOS
|
|
Link to this post
|
Stormyblade
Posts:
5,965
Registered:
Dec 20, '01
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 5,929
User ID: 559,323
|
Subject:
Cleaning inside computer
|
Ursa_Major posted:
With the canned air - once you use the can for several seconds it'll become very cold and lose pressure. You can warm the can back up under slightly warm tap water (not hot) to "recharge" it. Just make sure not to get the nozzle/straw bit wet. Dry the can off and go back to blowing out the dust bunnies. You may want to clean your computer outside or in a porch area as the dust can be pretty bad.
This. I've blown out my computer inside a couple times and really got the wife pissed at all the dust that instantly goes flying around. I really want to buy one of those special vacuums (that really isn't a vacuum, it's a BLOWER), and will probably get one very soon as we're on our last can of compressed air. [face-fingers-crossed]
On a serious note though, you should perform regular cleaning on the insides of your computer and you should ground yourself to avoid static electricity damage and be very careful of all the sharp corners and such. Dust may be hard to clean, but drops of blood on the motherboard are *much* harder to clean. 
-----signature-----
Nothing to see here...
|
|
Link to this post
|
loztpassword
Posts:
112
Registered:
Jul 2, '09
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 112
User ID: 1,362,313
|
Subject:
Cleaning inside computer
|
I use an air compressor either on the porch or in the garage.
Since most people probably don't own an air compressor... canned air is fine. Still, do it outside on the porch or somewhere that you don't mind dust and furballs flying all over. Only takes a few seconds really, that compressed air gets it done. Focus on blowing out those heatsink fin areas particularly.
I wouldn't go near the inside of your computer with anything that is "damp". Not only could you short something out directly, but you could cause corrosion that would damage later.
-----signature-----
Throw away your desires and treasures, and make sure to burn all the maps.
MMORPG
Mystaquetz in various forms.
|
|
Link to this post
|
jarom_td
Posts:
4,571
Registered:
Aug 8, '00
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 4,443
User ID: 38,737
|
Subject:
Cleaning inside computer
|
|
^ I'd be careful with an air compressor. They can spit out a lot of moisture.
-----signature-----
Thanks to iTunes, now you can get free TV shows for just 99 cents
|
|
Link to this post
|
Shenron_
Posts:
8,665
Registered:
Dec 8, '02
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 6,513
User ID: 746,590
|
Subject:
Cleaning inside computer
|
i think i will buy that electric duster then. i wanted to avoid canned air because of the price and getting dust all over the room i use it in. the duster will pay for itself after awhile. its freezing outside so i don't think i can bear doing it on the porch. maybe the garage...its already dirty.
i used those pledge moist wipes on my old computer a dozen times without incident even on the parts like graphic card, etc. maybe i just got lucky...but i shouldn't risk it on my uber new computer.
-----signature-----
(none)
|
|
Link to this post
|
Lonestar_1
Posts:
4,224
Registered:
Aug 26, '04
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 3,775
User ID: 960,112
|
Subject:
Cleaning inside computer
|
|
Tumble Dry Low
-----signature-----
http://gimpchimp.etilader.com/display.php?user=lonestarr 3500+ solo kills & Lone Enforcer WAR - IronRock Dest- Energist, Moogabooga SWTOR - KV - Energist, Moogabooga
|
|
Link to this post
|
Ah-Schoo
Title: Fuzzy Caterpillar of Friendliness
Posts:
71,317
Registered:
Aug 11, '00
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 68,974
User ID: 39,247
|
Subject:
Cleaning inside computer
|
I stick my vacuum near the bottom of the case then use canned air. (The vacuum is just to collect the dust the can frees up, I'm not sticking it in there, just sucking up the clouds.
I do vaccuum up the outside vents etc.
-----signature-----
.
Opinion = fact. Anecdote = proof. Political label more important than either of those.
Welcome to ACF, where debate goes to die.
.
"fascist totalitarian secular progressive Zionist intellectually challenged Christian puppets." - Aerlinthina
|
|
Link to this post
|
Steelwind_Oo
Title: Lurking Oo
Posts:
32,879
Registered:
Sep 30, '00
Extended Info (if available)
Real Post Cnt: 31,007
User ID: 46,829
|
Subject:
Cleaning inside computer
|
Ah-Schoo posted:
I stick my vacuum near the bottom of the case then use canned air. (The vacuum is just to collect the dust the can frees up, I'm not sticking it in there, just sucking up the clouds.
I do vaccuum up the outside vents etc.
That or a lite vacuum (don't actually touch the components) around the edges, against the fans/heat sinks and vents then hitting it with a duster/air will greatly reduce the dust and still do a great job. The problem with vacuums is they can generate a lot of static electricity so the general rule you see is not to use them. I do it all the time though and as long as you are careful it isn't a problem. Staying grounded really helps.
-----signature-----
'God is an imaginary friend for grownups.', Walter Crewes (Morgan Freeman), The Big Bounce
Don't be afraid to ask dumb questions they're easier to handle than dumb mistakes!
Xbox 360 Gamer Tag: SteelwindOo
e93% a53% s33% k13%
|
|
Link to this post
|
