Cleaning out dust

MooMoo444 · 20 Oct 2008 at 12:40

Hi guyz

My system is a dust magnet basically, I can write my name on the back of my graphics cards after a couple of weeks use.. Though its only 2 months old so first time I'm cleaning it out.

Therefore thinking of going out and grabbing a can of air from the hardware store in the very near future, just wondering if there is any special techniques to doing it?

I don't have any idea how forceful the jet is and I don't want to dislodge any capacitors or anything :confused:

Can someone with experience give me a few pointers?

C64 · 20 Oct 2008 at 13:27

Buying those air canistors is like throwing money in the bin they last about 2 minutes worth of use, use a feather duster or an unused small paintbrush and vacum cleaner.Just find a nice soft paintbrush the type you use to paint paintings I mean obviously after removing as much harware as you can hard drives graphics card etc and even why not the motherboard ? just brush or clean everything that way.

acccc · 20 Oct 2008 at 13:47

Antec 900 cant live succsessfuly without dust filters! somthing like this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...name=AC Ryan 120mm Fan Filter - Black (FF4180)

or you could always use tights technique (using the tights/stockings as dust filters). I've done it and it works wonders, much better than cleaning the pc out every month.

p4radox · 20 Oct 2008 at 13:58

Vacuum cleaner with a narrow "brush" type end. However, DO leave the system plugged in to prevent any static build up.

Skidilliplop · 20 Oct 2008 at 14:41

I use air dusters, however don't buy them from IT or Computer suppliers or anything that claims to be specifically for PCs. They'll charge you twice as much. Buy them from a little local hardware shop or car spares place. So long as it says it's antistatic on the can it'll be fine. You can get a big 500ml one for about £3.99 if not less and they last a good while if you use them sensibly. They have variable power depending how hard you push down, thus they can be made to last. Also don't tip them too far as they squirt liquid gas out which is wasteful and exhausts them quickly and the cold liquid which evaporates and cools fast can damage some components by causing water vapor in the air to condense on them.

MooMoo444 · 20 Oct 2008 at 14:51

Hm maybe I'll go for the duster approach then. I won't be making static if I leave it plugged in then right?

Skidilliplop · 20 Oct 2008 at 14:58

You will be making static with anything that physically touches it but leaving it plugged in means the case is earthed and so long as you try and keep the duster in contact with it any buildup should discharge to the case earth rather than the 0v rails on the motherboard via it's sensitive components.
I'd still advise very strongly against using dusters or anything contact based on any of the hardware but it's ok for the case and heatsinks. Provided they're removed from the chips first.

Nitristion · 20 Oct 2008 at 15:00

As long as your PSU is plugged in to the wall, you should be fine. Obviously, flick the switch to OFF. The earth/ground will work regardless and thus prevents you shocking yourself and/or static frying your hardware.

I used to think just blowing and brushing was good enough, but its not. By blowing, you just force the dust in deeper. Much better to use a hoover with a small plastic nozzle so you suck all the dust up and don't just blow it out into the air for it to then settle back inside your computer a few mins later

Skidilliplop · 20 Oct 2008 at 15:35

Nitristion said:
As long as your PSU is plugged in to the wall, you should be fine. Obviously, flick the switch to OFF. The earth/ground will work regardless and thus prevents you shocking yourself and/or static frying your hardware.

I used to think just blowing and brushing was good enough, but its not. By blowing, you just force the dust in deeper. Much better to use a hoover with a small plastic nozzle so you suck all the dust up and don't just blow it out into the air for it to then settle back inside your computer a few mins later

I might have forgotten to mention when using airdusters i do so outside in the garden

if you do it indoors indeed you will make a fairly large mess.

Nitristion · 20 Oct 2008 at 15:41

Skidilliplop said:
I might have forgotten to mention when using airdusters i do so outside in the garden
if you do it indoors indeed you will make a fairly large mess.

I hope you had your shoes and socks off then, to ground yourself =P

Skidilliplop · 20 Oct 2008 at 16:19

Nitristion said:
I hope you had your shoes and socks off then, to ground yourself =P

Anti static air dusters use de-ionised particles of inert gas, thus create virtually 0 static charge. That coupled with the fact I don't have to actually touch any of the components negates the need to remove my footware

or any other clothes for that matter. Unless I'm in one of those moods

Jumping · 20 Oct 2008 at 16:34

Maybe you should clean the room you have the computer in once in a while to stop the pc from sucking in all the dust....

Filters infront of intake as mentioned works wonders, just remember to clean them out once in a while or there wont be any air getting through them.

Skidilliplop · 20 Oct 2008 at 16:43

Jumping said:
Maybe you should clean the room you have the computer in once in a while to stop the pc from sucking in all the dust....

Filters infront of intake as mentioned works wonders, just remember to clean them out once in a while or there wont be any air getting through them.

I'd say the former is futile. I Look after IT in a group of private hospitals, which unlike NHS ones are nice and clean. The PCs still get full of dust somehow. Other than clean rooms and Theatres, but that's because they have positive pressure in the room. Not so easy to implement at home but could give it a go by putting your extractor fan in back to front

Gogl · 20 Oct 2008 at 17:09

Jumping said:
Filters infront of intake as mentioned works wonders, just remember to clean them out once in a while or there wont be any air getting through them.

So these are definitely worth investing in?

Interesting, is there an 'adopted' filter on the forums or are they all much of a muchness?