Best way to remove dust from inside case?

GGizmo

GGizmo

GGizmo

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Hi guys,

I was just removing a hard drive from an old desktop (winxp) computer and the amount of dust in there was amazing. It had literally formed a furry coating.

I didnt have to bother cleaning it as I was throwing it away anyways. But what is the best recommended way to remove dust from inside the system?

I'm thinking a handheld vacuum isn't the way to go?

I've heard people use compressed gas that they shoot in to the case to dislodge the dust. Is the objective to blow it outside the case? I can imagine this could be tricky on some cases with all the cables and stuff.

Any advice would be appreciated guys
 
Some use cans of compressed air... I prefer a 140psi air compressor!
Do it outside, blow the dust well clear and use a ½" paintbrush to help with the corners.

Awesomesauce!
 
Step 1: Take PC in to space
Step 2: Take off side panels and and secure PC firmly in air lock
Step 3: Open air lock and dust will be sucked in to the vacuum of space

Or you could use compressed air. :)
 
Compressed air and a 1/2" paint brush. A better idea is to stop it getting in there in the first place by using some dust filters.
 
Legend said:
Step 3: Open air lock and dust will be sucked in to the vacuum of space
Click to expand...
But would that be the positive pressure of the atmo blasting through and out the case, or negative pressure of the vacuum dragging the dust out?

pastymuncher said:
A better idea is to stop it getting in there in the first place by using some dust filters.
Click to expand...
Air has to enter, so dust will always get in. Filters can reduce the dust, but cannot stop it, especially as it will get in through all the other tiny gaps for which there are no filters...
 
A Jetwash and some Johnson's Head to Toe Baby Bath Wash.

But if you're not that keen on having your case a soft as a baby's bum then;

Compressed air (Compressor)
Compressed air (Cans) but can leave a sticky part of weird water marks.
A Hoover, but be nice as it can suck away your parts.
 
Just this evening I was asked to install Windows 10 and clean out the PC. It's a machine I built up about a year ago now if my memory serves.
I took off the side pannel and my god, it looked like he had been round everybody's house collecting their dust and had rammed it into his case.
It was filthy, really really filthy.
I thought at first I would have to strip it right down to clean it but i took it out side and blasted it with my air line. ( bet my neighbours love me ramping up my compressor at 9:30pm )
Like somebody said, once a month give it a clean.

Not sure but can you buy cans of compressed air to blow muck out. You can, "Air Duster"
Worth a try for a couple of quid.
 
Be very careful with compressed air, cans can spray out water very easily and don't put the nozzle too near the motherboard or any other exposed circuitry as there is a small chance of damage especially if it's a powered compressor, if you get that wrong you can blow capacitors or such off your board.

The most thorough way would be to take out all the parts motherboard included and take the case out of the room it's used in and clean it out, then look at wiping fans and a bit of air on other stuff.

Also be careful of static when dealing with the components if wiping stuff, don't wipe bare circuitry. :-) But on top of the PSU would be fine and unplug PSU cables and wipe them down.

How clean do you want it is the question.
 
Legend said:
Step 1: Take PC in to space
Step 2: Take off side panels and and secure PC firmly in air lock
Step 3: Open air lock and dust will be sucked in to the vacuum of space

Or you could use compressed air. :)
Click to expand...

But the vacuum of space doesn't suck though :p
 
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