Best way to clean a motherboard?

[hogdriver155]

Recently obtained a 1990 IBM PS/2 Model 80 386

Works but is more than moderately dirty.

Whats the best way to clean expansion cards, mobos and other PCBs? I’ve got 99% Isopropyl alcohol, but what’s the best method? Toothbrush? Cue tips? Full bath?

Ive got canned air too but whenever I use that it shoots water vapor, and is definately not enough for the level of dirty im currently observing. I want it to be spotless. To look new.

Thanks.

 

[velocityg4]

I prefer to avoid any scrubbing if possible. If necessary, gently with a nylon bristle brush. You never know what you are going to knock loose. They sell 99% isopropyl alcohol in a pressurized can. So you can flush. You can also use contact cleaner to flush it (not the type for contact lenses but for electronics). You don't want a contact cleaner which is lubricating.

Be sure to were protective gloves and goggles. Use either outdoors or in a well ventilated area. The fumes aren't good for you. Keep away from sources of ignition. It is all quite flammable.

If using contact cleaner. Be careful around plastics. Silicon is safe. Alcohol in such a high concentration can also be bad for some plastics.

Let everything dry completely. Don't forget to remove the battery.

 

[geofelt]

I had to smile when I saw the ps/2.
It goes a long way back.

99% alcohol and some lint free paper like coffee filters would be a good start.

Canned air is not likely to loosen grime.
Do not remove the cpu from the socket.
Do not try to clean electrical contacts like ram.
You may want to remove the cooler to clean it and remount it.
----------------how to mount the stock Intel cooler--------------

The stock Intel cooler can be tricky to install.
A poor installation will result in higher cpu temperatures.
If properly mounted, you should expect temperatures at idle to be 10-15c. over ambient.

To mount the Intel stock cooler properly, place the motherboard on top of the foam or cardboard backing that was packed with the motherboard.
The stock cooler will come with paste pre applied, it looks like three grey strips.
The 4 push pins should come in the proper position for installation, that is with the pins rotated in the opposite direction of the arrow,(clockwise)
and pulled up as far as they can go.
Take the time to play with the pushpin mechanism until you know how they work.

Orient the 4 pins so that they are exactly over the motherboard holes.
If one is out of place, you will damage the pins which are delicate.
Push down on a DIAGONAL pair of pins at the same time. Then the other pair.

When you push down on the top black pins, it expands the white plastic pins to fix the cooler in place.

If you do them one at a time, you will not get the cooler on straight.
Lastly, look at the back of the motherboard to verify that all 4 pins are equally through the motherboard, and that the cooler is on firmly.
This last step must be done, which is why the motherboard should be out of the case to do the job. Or you need a case with a opening that lets you see the pins.
It is possible to mount the cooler with the motherboard mounted in the case, but you can then never be certain that the push pins are inserted properly
unless you can verify that the pins are through the motherboard and locked.

If you should need to remove the cooler, turn the pins counter clockwise to unlock them.
You will need to clean off the old paste and reapply new if you ever take the cooler off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[ajayshikant2782]

I have been using a vacuum with a ground on the plug and a soft bristle brush for many years and have never had a problem. Make sure to discharge all power before even opening the case. http://www.printererrorrepair.com/blog/fix-epson-printer-communication-error-mac/