The dust

[.Socrates]

I've been checking the computer lately, and it looks clogged with dust and furballs, etc., would this really pose any problem? If so, I need to know how to clean it out correctly.

[Jopo]

I've been checking the computer lately, and it looks clogged with dust and furballs, etc., would this really pose any problem? If so, I need to know how to clean it out correctly.

The dust insulates the components creating heat.(not good). The best way to clean it is with compressed air. Short bursts to avoid moisture hitting any components.

[.Socrates]

Thanks for the advice. I'll probably do that later though.

[HorseArcher]

Thanks for the advice. I'll probably do that later though.

Make sure you fully turn off the PC (the on/off switch at the back of the power supply or just pull the cord out) and don't scrub it with anything (plastic brush) or you'll end up like me 2yrs ago, where i just heard a 'tick' and some smell and my motherboard was dead. Lesson learned, don't clean the pc with the power 'on' or use anything that creates static shock (plastic).

[.Socrates]

No offense meant archer, but I tihkn that's a little thing called "common sense"

[Lee1026]

Actually, using compressed air with the thing on is perfectly okay.

[.Socrates]

Well, it might also be a matter of what your computer type is.

[Incinerate_IV]

Well, it might also be a matter of what your computer type is.

I'm not sure what you mean by that, but you can use it with the computer on, ANY computer. As long as you don't turn the compressed air can up side down, of course.

[Lee1026]

Wel, if it is a imac or something, then it could be nasty........

[Lusted]

You should have seen the inside of my comp when i installed a new graphics card. Its 5 years old, and i hadn't cleaned it once. So you can imagine the amount of dust. An hour later after a lot of work with a hoover, and a non static creating brush with the comp off, and i had removed the dust.

[krazykarl]

If you are going to use compressed air, do it outside, or at least in a garage.

[.Socrates]

If you are going to use compressed air, do it outside, or at least in a garage.

Well yeah, now it's kind of "duh" that I think about it now. Don't want dust going everywhere.

[LSJ]

I used a compressed CO2 canister meant for cleaning computers innards. It clearly states to use it outside, of course.
Dust in the computer is really bad, because from my experience it can make a burning sort of smell just from being heated. Its always annoying for the dust to make the fans loud, and to have your comp smell bad too.

[.Socrates]

Yeah, my fans are getting quite loud.
So I'll probably get the CO2 canister you have there, DarkProph13.

[Aristocrat]

One of my friends computers hadn't been cleaned in so long that the bottom of the case (below any components) had a pool of water in it (not the mention that the dust came off in clumps), so that when we opened it a swarm of mosquitos flew straight out....and I thought I'd seen everything.

[.Socrates]

One of my friends computers hadn't been cleaned in so long that the bottom of the case (below any components) had a pool of water in it (not the mention that the dust came off in clumps), so that when we opened it a swarm of mosquitos flew straight out....and I thought I'd seen everything.

That souns a lot like a "Gamer Hell" episode.