PC cleaning (internal)

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lonepilgrim

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Oct 30, 2007
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Hi, not sure where to post this since there isnt a keeping your PC clean specific section, however, I have a what is now a semi self built PC and after a yera of use I am wondering what you lot would recomend for dust removal - internal - I wonder if any of you know of any airgun makers etc that could be plugged in etc - ive had a brief look on the net but not really found anything - while my pc is acting as the vacuum cleaner for my room!!! As a note im not after a one time use can of air since the last I tried lasted for around 30 secs b4 dyeing on me 😛 no very useful!
 
sorry to say --> can of air is still my favorite

... but I have seen pic's here showing that people have been very creative on putting filters into their systems to keep the dust out.
 
It's expensive, but if you have the budget, I suggest one of these:

http://www.aedwis.com/3mvacuum.html

I have one at work and it's excellent for cleaning ESD sensitive equipment. The problem with fast moving air is that it creates static. That said I think canned air uses a small amount of moisture in it to reduce static build up. One thing that lots of people don't know when using air is to stop fans from spinning while blasting air through them. A sustained blast can cause fans to over rev and damage their bearings. When I clean using air, I use a pencil in the fan blades to stop it from spinning. One area that you pretty much have to use air for is the PSU unless you are willing to take it apart (I am not advocating this approach) to get at the dust. I usually start with the PSU and blast the dust out of it and then follow with the anti-stat vacuum and clean everything else.
 
I would have to say canned air is my favorite, along with a good hose vacuum. Put a good nozzle on the vacuum to create some pull. Use that to clear out the bigger chunks from the system.

What I also did to stay on the cheap was to make myself a tube out of paper, narrow (4mm or less) at one end. Point it at something and blow hard through it. You'll get light-headed, and maybe it'll moisterize too much, but it worked for me :)

I use dry tissues carefully and softly to wipe off boards and such. Just make sure the system is grounded.

Now to see how many people tell me my computer should already be fried 😀
 
I have some filter material I cut to fit the intake ports on my case and it helps a lot to keep it clean in the first place. When I take things apart I use an old toothbrush and an old (but clean) paintbrush and lots of canned air or heavy breathing. Canned air works much better than the heavy breathing. I know, it's expensive and doesn't last very long, but it's still cheaper than an air compressor, which by the way, works even better than canned air. If you have a compressor or easy access to one it'll certainly blow with more force and for longer. But remember, as you use canned air, the bottle will cool itself down considerably, lowering the pressure inside and therefore the pressure coming out. Once it warms up it will have more pressure again, or just don't get all crazy with it all at once. Also, try taking it outside to clean it out or else your PC will just be breathing all that dust right back in.

If you spend $220 on an Anti-Static Vacuum just to clean out your PC you are a pansy. :kaola:
 


HA! You're carefully wiping off boards with tissues and worrying about grounding and moisture, here I am going after mine with brushes and air compressors. Oh, what must the people think! :na:




Yes, beware. I've seen these things in action and you'd be better off blowing through a straw.
 
00000100501-CraftsmanPortableAirCompressor15310-large.jpeg

My can of air :) {well just a pic from the net, but i DO use an air compressor}
 
Compressed air cans are still the best option like it or not. Take the system outside and go to town on it. Vacuums are a bad idea because they build static at the end of the nozzle which could fry your components. After cleaning get something like Swiffer dry cloths and cut them to size to use as filters.
 



Heavy breathing works for me. I like heavy breathing. I would make a statement about how I am caused to breath heavy, but alas there are children that read this board.
 
I use a combination of things listed here.

I blow really hard on the dirty bits while using a vacuum hose to suck the dust and bunnies out of the air. I don't actually touch any electrical components. I haven't resorted to using my air compressor yet (I’m too lazy to haul stuff around), but I'm sure I will after I pass out from blowing too hard. :)

As for cleaning fans and heat sinks, I remove them and vacuum like crazy with a hose and brush attachment, sometimes resorting to using an old toothbrush if the dust build-up is stubborn.
 
Im an advicator of the Air compressor as nukemaster suggested... used to have one at work for cleaning all those peoples machines that hadnt seen the light of day in years.... oh we had some bad ones.
 
Years ago I bought at a swap meet four empty air cans that were refillable with a bicycle pump or an air compressor.

I have refilled them about 20 times each and have not bought canned air since.

Has anyone heard of these or know a source for something similar?

The manufactor of these cans are not in buisness any more.

 
Hi, I'm so glad to have found this forum. So much great info.

Does anybody replace their Thermal Grease after a couple of years?
I just took my system apart after close to five years and the thermal grease was a mess. It had oozed out on the edges and I'm wondering how much it was still working.
 
Sounds to me like whoever put the heatsink on your CPU used too much heat grease. Generally, you only need to replace your grease when you remove the heatsink for whatever reason. Most manufacturer's tell you to wipe away any compound, and reapply fresh stuff in it's place. But if your heatsink is attached properly, and you haven't taken it off for any reason, then no dirt can possibly get in there, so what's the point of replacing it regularly?
 
I pull dust out of the PSU grills using tweezers.

I wipe down the inside of the case with a damp towel, I do that with the components too. I would do this when I don't need to use my PC for some time.

Every 1 - 1.5 years I take my PC apart to clean it one component at a time.
 
Dude, damp + electronics = destruction...Didn't anybody ever tell you that? And why you would tear down your setup for cleaning is beyond me. As long as your cooling system is kept free of dust, and there's no obvious need to take a component out of your case to be cleaned, what's the point?
 

Damp + electronics + let dry = generally safe.
I use rubbing alcohol to clean electronics all the time(with the power off)
And once i came across a sound card that was soooo dirty(open computer + maple syrup = non working sound) I just held it under hot(running) watter until it all came off....let it dry and it was good as new

System tear down and clean gets all the dust that has built up in hard(if not imposable) to reach places.
 
I bought this computer cleaning kit from my local automotive/tool/building supply store here in Finland a couple years ago. I think the bristles on the attachments are coated in something to stop electrostatic charges. It cost me 4.95€ and I think it was a good purchase unfortunately my new vaccum has some odd rectangular piping with rubber seals between the pieces to prevent dust leakage so the attachment won't fit on anymore.

http://www.biltema.fi
If you go to this webstore and type in this number 23630 in the search box in the upper left hand corner it will link you to picture of my cleaning kit.
 
those of you using an air compressor that gets used regulary water can build up in the tank from condensation there should be a tap to let the water out if there is enough water in the tank you will be blasting water at your components
 

Yup its a little valve (or bolt on the big one) on the bottom of the tank...
 
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