Cleaning out your PC case ...

[Phaetos]

When your PC's get all the dust bunnies you can stand in it, how do you clean out your case? Just open it up and squirt a few cans of air at it(which seems to have less powerful expulsion than it did a few years ago), or do you go to a compressed air unit and blow it out that way?
I think I had heard or read somewhere that using compressed air from an electric unit can cause a static charge build up in the components, which of course could fry some parts. Has anyone else heard that before?

 

[VirtualLarry]

I just use a can'o'air. I don't really get "dust bunnies" or much dust in my PCs, unless I leave the side off.

I had very fine, but hard, dust clog up my OCZ Vendetta fan on my AM3+ Thuban rig. It didn't shut down or crash, it continued to run DC for a few days/weeks. When I next checked it, CoreTemp showed that the Tjunction had reached a max of like 86C. That's when I realized that the fan had seized entirely.

 

[Phaetos]

Well, with dogs in the house there is extra crap floating around to clog up the fans.

 

[inachu]

You could always buy an ESD safe vacuum cleaner but they cost a pretty penny.
I think around $600 for a portable unit.

 

[Justinator]

What? so you can't just use your home vacuum to clean the main portion of dust from your pc before you blast it with a can of air? I have always vacuumed my PC and never had a problem before. Is this dangerous or something? I of course always have my PC unplugged when I do this if that matters.

 

[ArtShapiro]

I take it outside and use a leafblower. I hold my finger on the CPU fan to keep it from going supersonic.

For a friend whose constantly-preening big bird coats everything in the room with an impressive layer of white feather dust, it results in what looks like an atomic bomb's mushroom cloud over the entire neighborhood.

If this could theoretically cause some sort of static-related failure, well, it hasn't happened to me yet, for what that's worth.

Art

 

[Blain]

I take it outside and use a leafblower. I hold my finger on the CPU fan to keep it from going supersonic.

Some fans actually generate power when spun fast enough.
That's enough reason for me to make sure they don't spin during cleaning.

 

[mvbighead]

Air compressors should be fine, but do it from a distance and make sure the moisture level is not too high. As air compressors collect air, it will contain whatever humidity is in the air it takes in (hence the drain valve on the bottom of most of them).

Canned air works, but as you note, not quite as well.

Vacuums work, but sometimes do not blast through as much as a compressor. Also, people tend to hit the nozzle against things while vacuuming which could break off any sensitive or brittle parts.

My preference for the cleanest possible PC is using a compressor. Never had a problem with blowing the fans, but when I go behind the fan, I just stick the nozzle between the blades to blow out the heatsinks.

 

[It's Not Lupus]

vacuum then electric air blower.

 

[Twitch03]

Air compressor in garage, small nozzle tip for accuracy.

 

[Phaetos]

Air compressors should be fine, but do it from a distance and make sure the moisture level is not too high. As air compressors collect air, it will contain whatever humidity is in the air it takes in (hence the drain valve on the bottom of most of them).

Louisiana, capital of humidity.

 

[corkyg]

I never use an air can. My preferred method is to open tho the case and gently wipe it out with Swiffer sheet. dust sticks to them and doesn't get blown around to settle elsewhere in the vicinity.

 

[Phaetos]

I never use an air can. My preferred method is to open tho the case and gently wipe it out with Swiffer sheet. dust sticks to them and doesn't get blown around to settle elsewhere in the vicinity.

That's definitely a new approach

 

[inachu]

What? so you can't just use your home vacuum to clean the main portion of dust from your pc before you blast it with a can of air? I have always vacuumed my PC and never had a problem before. Is this dangerous or something? I of course always have my PC unplugged when I do this if that matters.

You can use a regular vac but it is not rated as being ESD safe and could damage your pc.

ESD=ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE

 

[inachu]

All the ways I have cleaned out a pc. Approved and unapproved methods.
damp cloth.
can of air.
Shop air hose(the best) Make sure tank inside is dry and is inspected every so often so you do not accidently blow water vapor into pc. Mine at work is maintained to be always dry and safe.

COLEMAN mattress pump(not too bad)


If you are a pc hobbyist and love building and tearing down computers then might be better to make your own dust case from an old plastic type of old fish tank.

5 holes max - 1 tiny hole for air device.
2 holes fitted with permanent gloves like a ICU crib for babies.
The last two holes will be filters and you can use the dryer sheets that make excellent air filters. Now turn fish tank upside down over pc and start cleaning away.

 

[VirtualLarry]

If you are a pc hobbyist and love building and tearing down computers then might be better to make your own dust case from an old plastic type of old fish tank.

5 holes max - 1 tiny hole for air device.
2 holes fitted with permanent gloves like a ICU crib for babies.
The last two holes will be filters and you can use the dryer sheets that make excellent air filters. Now turn fish tank upside down over pc and start cleaning away.

Interesting idea.

 

[mizzou]

i use an antique boar hair brush and venetian swan duster for the fine particles



jk i usemy air compressor and take it outside

 

[Murloc]

I just never clean it out, works fine after 6 years with 3 cats, I haven't noticed temp increases.
I sometimes open it up and grab the bunnies and clean the fans from microdust with my fingers and pull the hair out of the headsinks manually.
I may also blow on it hoping no saliva bursts out. I don't do this on the PCB, just the bottom of the case and the HDD cage, so it's pretty safe.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Any vacuum with a hose, and a brissel attachment as a buffer to avoid bumping components.

 

[ronbo613]

Stick a pencil in the fans and blow out the case and PSU with an air compressor. Works great. Blow air into your hard first to make sure the compressor tank is not full of water.

 

[Chocu1a]

About every 4 months I use this:
http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-ED500-500-Watt-Electric/dp/B001J4ZOAW/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1424709737&sr=8-8&keywords=air+duster

 

[drthrd]

About every 4 months I use this:
http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-ED500-500-Watt-Electric/dp/B001J4ZOAW/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1424709737&sr=8-8&keywords=air+duster

Ah the DataVac® Electric Duster® ED-500. That is what I use. I use to use the cans of air if I didn't have access to a air compressor. Air compressor with a nozzle with a moisture/water trap/filter on it.

 

[corkyg]

In addition to Swiffer sheets, I use these with no problem.

http://www.ezvacuum.com/vacuum-clea...ium=ppc&utm_source=shoppingcom&utm_medium=cpc

Blown dust and dirt just resettles. Taking outside is a major project.

 

[Gorrillasnot]

I use to use canned air, but as I began to start repairing other peoples PCs canned air became to expensive.
I now use a large compressor in my garage.
I hold the fans to keep them from free spinning and getting damaged. Then I clean any leftover dust with a microfiber cloth.
By doing it this way I also have the added safety of not opening up some nasty roach infested PC inside my house.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I've still got about three cans of compressed air out of a six-pack, but about every month or so, while keeping such a can handy together with a soft brush, I use the ED500.

Why they call it a "data-vac," I don't know. It doesn't suck up data, and it doesn't suck -- it blows [if your average prurient mind understands the difference.]

The air from the ED500 heats up, so short blasts are recommended. They say it's "safer than the canned air" product. I understand everyone is all worried about static discharge, but I don't see much of a risk with that and the ED500.

You blow air through your case with fans, furchrissake!