Best way to clean out a computer

Leprechaun312 · 16 Apr 2013 at 16:07

Hi i had to check the serial on my graphics card and while i was there i noticed....things are getting a bit dusty in there what the best way to clean it out like do i vacuum the fans and cooler and then just wipe everything down?

dhill · 16 Apr 2013 at 16:09

That's pretty much all I do.

Hoover the front, back, sides and top of the case first. Then open the case up and hoover the insides (making sure that you've unplugged the computer from the mains first of course). If I have the time, I'll strip it all down and give it a proper clean and hoover out as well. Maybe only do that twice a year though.

peterwalkley · 16 Apr 2013 at 16:13

A can of compressed air for those faffy bits to get at is really handy. I do this job outside though, otherwise the missus complains !

HecFam · 16 Apr 2013 at 16:15

I have a little desk sized henry hoover, quite handy for computer tat.

dacads · 16 Apr 2013 at 18:57

Was a similar thread where someone recommended the following:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Giottos-GTAA1900-Rocket-Air-Blower/dp/B00017LSPI

Those air things are also popular that you use to blowup inflatable sofas and such
http://www.tesco.com/direct/tesco-electric-air-pump/100-1265.prd

CaptainCrash · 16 Apr 2013 at 19:07

dhill said:
That's pretty much all I do.

Hoover the front, back, sides and top of the case first. Then open the case up and hoover the insides (making sure that you've unplugged the computer from the mains first of course). If I have the time, I'll strip it all down and give it a proper clean and hoover out as well. Maybe only do that twice a year though.

A vacuum cleaner can generate a pretty hefty static charge... not something I'd want to bring into close contact with delicate electronics.

Leprechaun312 · 16 Apr 2013 at 19:22

well i got it done, definately much cleaner inside and temps have dropped slightly only took about an hour and a half used a vacum cleaver and a dust cloth although i didnt really go near the motherboard after i took it out as it wasnt too dirty and also didnt want to vacuum off something important and break the thing

Joshct · 17 Apr 2013 at 08:31

At work we have compressed air lines which work well for getting dust out, but hardly a home solution i guess.

At home I've tried a can of compressed air, i wasn't happy using it because every 2 seconds liquid seemed to come out.

I've also hoovered parts of the case (detachable dust filters) which worked fine, but wouldn't want to stick the hoover inside the case towards components really.

What I've been doing lately is using a hair dryer. Low speed and cool air just does away with all the dust. No doubt someone is about to tell me this is the end of the world and i shouldn't ever ever do this for some reason, but it's worked thus far.

Ripjaw · 17 Apr 2013 at 09:31

Love the idea of that little rocket air blower myself, gonna get one of them

ubersonic · 17 Apr 2013 at 10:03

I use a vacuum cleaner, got an old portable one made specifically for cleaning computers

(so basically a regular mini vacuum with a price tag lol).

VIPER258 · 17 Apr 2013 at 10:05

Compressed air, paintbrush and a small vacuum should do the trick.

Akagi · 17 Apr 2013 at 10:06

I find chucking it in a bath works quite well, but it probably wouldn't work afterwards

Leprechaun312 · 17 Apr 2013 at 10:18

acme15 said:
I find chucking it in a bath works quite well, but it probably wouldn't work afterwards

haha +1

Adamthegreat984 · 17 Apr 2013 at 10:44

I need to do mine, its an antac 900 case.

Anybody got one of those and has successfully cleaned it ?

biuro74 · 17 Apr 2013 at 10:48

So job is done, now you can read about positive pressure (fans) and fan filters