Keeping your computer Clean

**Roshak** · August 23, 2007, 03:44 PM

No I don't mean defragmenting, cleaning my registry, my cookies, startup files etc. I mean actually cleaning the Machine itself.

Recently I was surprised to find huge wads of dust trapped in between my DVD-ROM and CD-ROM drives. and found an entire sheet on my Graphics card

. I think it will run better without all the dust on it

So is there a good way to keep the computer and its hardware clean or mostly dust-free? Or should I just clean it on a regular monthly basis?

And while were talking about it, when was the last time you cleaned out your computer? Don't feel too bad if you say never

**Freddie** · August 23, 2007, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by Roshak

No I don't mean defragmenting, cleaning my registry, my cookies, startup files etc. I mean actually cleaning the Machine itself.

Recently I was surprised to find huge wads of dust trapped in between my DVD-ROM and CD-ROM drives. and found an entire sheet on my Graphics card

. I think it will run better without all the dust on it

So is there a good way to keep the computer and its hardware clean or mostly dust-free? Or should I just clean it on a regular monthly basis?

And while were talking about it, when was the last time you cleaned out your computer? Don't feel too bad if you say never

A can of compressed air and hover.

**Roman Clone** · August 23, 2007, 04:34 PM

Hey, Be Glad It's Dust! Bugs were living in my computer.......

**spartan_phalanx** · August 23, 2007, 04:43 PM

Bugs were living in my computer.......

That's scary...

A can of air is really the best option, but I have used a blow dryer or air compressor before. Sometimes air alone just doesn't get it all so you may have to wipe it clean with a cloth or something. Just be careful you don't conduct static electricity to something sensitive. Another option to help is to use some type of screen on your input fans. Screens will keep most of the bigger dust out but come at a cost of airflow.

For me though I am always tinkering around in my pc for one reason or another so it gets cleaned often.

**Roman Clone** · August 23, 2007, 08:21 PM

Be Glad you guys get to clean your damn computers, my dad FORBIDS me. FORBID I tell you.

**shadowarmy75** · August 23, 2007, 08:56 PM

I think the filter in the front traps most of the dust so I just wipe it off of the grille sometimes.

**Justinian** · August 23, 2007, 09:05 PM

I only have a laptop, so I haven't exactly popped it open and cleaned it. Will clean it monthly or so when I get my desktop though.

**shadowarmy75** · August 24, 2007, 12:22 AM

Laptop can get pretty caked up inside. I opened up a friend's Compaq laptop and found the CPU cooler was just stuffed with yellow dust.

**Arakorn** · August 24, 2007, 07:15 AM

I just vacuum clean mine!

Works quite well, gets the worst off...

BTW; what kind of stores can you get canned air from? And won't you have to vacuum clean like, the air around you when blowing that dust off?

**sapi** · August 25, 2007, 02:13 AM

Oh, god

Vacuuming a PC is just asking for static to fry it

**mrmouth** · August 25, 2007, 06:37 PM

Its not the vacuum that poses a danger, if plastic attachments are being used. It is the dust itself on a component that causes the static buildup. The static can lead to an electric discharge that spreads to your board or mem chip.

Turn off you PC, unplug it, and its safe to use a vacuum. Many shops use small canister vacuums with small attachments on their customers PC's when they bring them in. They wouldn't do so if it was a good chance it would cost them money in the end.

We keep our house clean due to both myself and the woman having allergies, we also use air filters. So I can go 3-4 months without dusting my PC if Im not working on it, and I'll have a thin layer at best.

Compressed air in my opinion is good for outside components, but if you happen to tip the can and liquid is propelled out on an inside component you could have serious problems on your hands. Some ultra budget brands release small amounts of liquid anyhow.

**SonOfCrusader76** · August 25, 2007, 06:42 PM

What if you wear an anti-static wrist strap? Does that automatically ground you? Also, is it better to use a specialised vacuum cleaner from PC World, or will an ordinary one do?

**Niccolo Machiavelli** · August 25, 2007, 06:46 PM

Considering the use of vacuums for PC cleaning and charges building up, I've heard that it's actually fans being set in motion by the current, resulting in a possible dynamo effect from the fans motor - not sure if that's true though - I'm an electric analphabet...

**mrmouth** · August 25, 2007, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by SonOfCrusader76

What if you wear an anti-static wrist strap? Does that automatically ground you? Also, is it better to use a specialised vacuum cleaner from PC World, or will an ordinary one do?

In this case the static being generated isn't from the body, so no need to ground. Ive never used a wrist wrap when working, I just make sure to ground myself and finish working on whatever I'm doing before walking away. Or if I have to walk away I just ground myself again.

I don't know what vacuum you are referring to, but any vacuum will do, as long as the attachment are plastic. Some mini shop vacs have ultra small attachments, they are cheap.

Originally Posted by Niccolo Machiavelli

I've heard that it's actually fans being set in motion by the current, resulting in a possible dynamo effect from the fans motor

I suppose thats possible, I really don't know. Haven't heard it before.

**SonOfCrusader76** · August 25, 2007, 06:55 PM

So the strap is unnecessary? How do you ground yourself then?

Edit: I'm thinking of those small ones that PC World sell for cleaning keyboards/inside the PC.

**Niccolo Machiavelli** · August 25, 2007, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by BarnabyJones

I suppose thats possible, I really don't know. Haven't heard it before.

As I said I'm not 100% sure, but I use vacuums for PC cleaning for over 12 years and never had any problems - I just always made sure to prevent the fans from rotating when cleaning them (might have just been lucky though...).

**mrmouth** · August 25, 2007, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by SonOfCrusader76

So the strap is unnecessary? How do you ground yourself then?

As with most things computer related there are many differing opinions. I leave my PC plugged in to a grounded outlet and simply touch the PSU to ground myself to the PC. I suppose if your really worried about it spending a few dollars on a strap would be best.

Heres an article I just found:
http://www.theguruguys.com/news/vacuum-your-pc

Originally Posted by Niccolo Machiavelli

I just always made sure to prevent the fans from rotating when cleaning them

Yeah, I dont know, it would make sense that if there was dust inside the bearing it could cause a discharge. Ive always let my fans spin a bit, but who knows for sure...somebody call NASA. They have to be the experts on static electricity, when building those nifty gadgets that cost billions could all be ruined by a simple discharge.

**Niccolo Machiavelli** · August 25, 2007, 07:15 PM

Seems I've acted based on a myth for over a decade now

- ah well - putting my finger on the fan whilst cleaning it was not that much of a hassle, so I think I can live with it

.

Thanks for clearing it up.

**mrmouth** · August 25, 2007, 07:21 PM

Yeah, if what you've been doing has worked so far, stick with it.

**SonOfCrusader76** · August 25, 2007, 07:51 PM

I've been reading those articles you mentioned and there is so much to worry about! What you're wearing, whether you have carpeted or tiled floor (mine's carpet, pretty much the whole house, other than the kitchen), some people say leave PC plugged in, others say don't, as well as numerous other factors. It just seems to me that, if you make one tiny mistake, you risk frying your PC and flushing several hundred quid down the toilet!

All this applies more to upgrades than cleaning, I suppose. I think I'll leave any upgrades to the local shop!