PC cleaning tools - Datavac

Abernus said:
Does anyone have any other alternatives to the Datavac?
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I use a bog standard foot pump for inflating mattresses or a set of bellows. Canned "air" is usually a horrible refrigerant that's pretty nasty in terms of the environment. Ever wondered why the can gets so cold when using it? You're killing all the baby polar bears just to blow dust around
 
Most caned airs use hydrocarbons these days as the ozone destroying ones you reference are no longer allowed. If the cans contents are flammable theyre most likely using hydrocarbons thus not known to be an issue yet(I'm sure that will change).

The can gets cold because of the pressure drop any gas stored at pressure will drop largly in temperature when the pressure is released.
 
Mynight said:
Most caned airs use hydrocarbons these days as the ozone destroying ones you reference are no longer allowed. If the cans contents are flammable theyre most likely using hydrocarbons thus not known to be an issue yet(I'm sure that will change).

The can gets cold because of the pressure drop any gas stored at pressure will drop largly in temperature when the pressure is released.
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^this. Boyle's law bruv.

I still use the canned air, but I resent paying for air.
 
Why do you need to clean it out so much. I've seen pc's that have been on for 7years solid, they are full of dust and still work fine. Worst case scenario a once monthly blast of air on the heatsink and your golden!
 
ChroniC said:
Why do you need to clean it out so much. I've seen pc's that have been on for 7years solid, they are full of dust and still work fine. Worst case scenario a once monthly blast of air on the heatsink and your golden!
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Not everyone is a manky.............
 
ChroniC said:
Why do you need to clean it out so much. I've seen pc's that have been on for 7years solid, they are full of dust and still work fine. Worst case scenario a once monthly blast of air on the heatsink and your golden!
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Would you apply the same cleaning concept to the rest of your house? If so I never want to visit :D.
 
Duke said:
Just get a small compressor and air nozzle. That is what I used when used to repair PCs for a job.
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This. It's amazing how much dust the average PC holds and a compressor is the best way to clear it all out.

If you have a car buy yourself a tyre inflater nozzle as well to avoid trips to the supermarket :p.
 
Parsley said:
I can recommend a Black & Decker VH780. The rainforest has them listed.

After looking to get something similar myself I settled on one of these. The filter clogs very easily when used as a hoover but it's not a function I use regularly.

The blow on it is powerful enough to clean out my computer quite handily, more forcefully than a compressed air can. Loud though!
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Sounds like a handy and reasonably priced product.
 
As to why the need to clean, dust is a great insulator. Heat and a PC don't mix very well. Also I have had a lot of work done in the house and they have been mixing a lot of plaster and that dust gets everywhere.

I had an idea today of using the hair-dryer my wife has as it has a cold air setting. If I can rig up a reducer on the front it will increase the air flow rate to a focused point and should remove the dust quite effectively.
 
Mynight said:
Would you apply the same cleaning concept to the rest of your house? If so I never want to visit :D.
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I don't tend to eat or drink, or walk or poo, or anything else that you'd do in a house, on my nice shiny sealed metal box..
I'd be more worried about my lungs if my computer was getting that dusty that quickly.

In the year I've had my PC, I've never cleaned it.. Just popped the side open and its barely dusty.

Stop worrying about dust and just get a bigger heatsink. ;-)
 
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ANDARIAL said:
All the guys recommending a hoover are you serious?or are you just not worried about static electricity damaging your pc?
Serious question
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I am really shocked at this thread with idiots recommending a hoover!!!

Years ago I shouted at my idiot mate ignored my warnings never ever hoover PC parts because of static electricity before he started hoovered inside his PC to removed full of dusts on motherboard then installed new graphics card and closed side case door. Plugged all cables to PC, switched on PSU and pressed power on but never powered up. The idiot mate turned to me and "Oppps", he blew £500 killed his PC not had a clue about static electricity.

I always used anti-static air compressor cans.
 
Pho said:
This. It's amazing how much dust the average PC holds and a compressor is the best way to clear it all out.

If you have a car buy yourself a tyre inflater nozzle as well to avoid trips to the supermarket :p.
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Indeed, you can let rip knowing it won't run out or cost any more. Think mine was about £90 or something but expect you can get cheaper ones.
 
Abernus said:
Hi all,

I have been looking at alternatives to using canned compressed air to clean my PC's with. I seem to be going through about 12 cans a year and the prices to mount up. I have looked at the Datavac: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Datavac-Electric-Duster-ED-500-220-240V/dp/B003BZCOKK But being in the UK we seems to be charged over the top prices for this.

Does anyone have any other alternatives to the Datavac?
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Yes the equally overpriced Hurricane (at least that is portable) :p
 
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