Removing dust from PC

mug2k

mug2k

mug2k

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Joined
25 Aug 2005
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475
Are there any options other than :-

1. Expensive mains powered air compressor.
2. Cans of compressed air (cheap but consumable).

Is there something I could get that is reusable and would cost between £10-£20?
 
1) Place your PC in a well ventilated room
2) Switch your hoover on
3) Take a deep breath
4) Blow really hard into your case
5) Collect dust with hoover
 
Simple and not expensive, switch your PC off, disconnect the PSU from the mains and gently use a soft paint brush to brush the dust off fans and motherboard, ive always done it this way, never had a problem.

I recommend a quality brush though, not some cheap and nasty thing thats going to leave hairs stuck all over the place.
 
Cheers lads,

Do you recommend a few dust filters too? I have a Coolermaster Elite 430 (old style) and it has built-in filters on the front, top and bottom but two spaces for fans on the side that are meshes of relatively big opens holes.
 
Check out Rocket blowers that are used by photographers. I use one in conjunction with an artists paintbrush or you can get blowers with brushes on the end. Be careful with vacuum cleaners and fans, it's easy for the suction to get the fans spinning and it has been known for them to spin quick enough to put a negative charge through the header and blow the motherboard. If using a vacuum cleaner near a fan I will always put my finger in the blades to stop it spinning.
 
PieEater said:
Check out Rocket blowers that are used by photographers. I use one in conjunction with an artists paintbrush or you can get blowers with brushes on the end. Be careful with vacuum cleaners and fans, it's easy for the suction to get the fans spinning and it has been known for them to spin quick enough to put a negative charge through the header and blow the motherboard. If using a vacuum cleaner near a fan I will always put my finger in the blades to stop it spinning.
Click to expand...

Cheers

I just looked on the rainforest, there's quite a few options 2 from Giottos for £7.49 & £9.00 and another for £4.99 from Polaroid, decisions decisions :D
 
PieEater said:
Check out Rocket blowers that are used by photographers. I use one in conjunction with an artists paintbrush or you can get blowers with brushes on the end. Be careful with vacuum cleaners and fans, it's easy for the suction to get the fans spinning and it has been known for them to spin quick enough to put a negative charge through the header and blow the motherboard. If using a vacuum cleaner near a fan I will always put my finger in the blades to stop it spinning.
Click to expand...

I've come across this recommendation before, I checked out the reviews for one on the rainforest but apart from cameras people used it for keyboards. Is the air pressure effective enough for the inside of a case?
 
dacads said:
I've come across this recommendation before, I checked out the reviews for one on the rainforest but apart from cameras people used it for keyboards. Is the air pressure effective enough for the inside of a case?
Click to expand...
The pressure is pretty localized, I usually brush a component / fan then use multiple squirts of the blower to shift the loosened dust as it's not sufficient on it's own to blast stuck on dirt free. The process is more labor intensive than a can of air but cheaper in the long run and much more preferable to sticking your head in the case, blowing and getting a face full of dust. I guess it depends on how obsessive you are about keeping your kit clean but for ~£5 it's a fairly useful tool to have on hand at cleaning time for not much money.
 
Goto the poundshop and get an Air squeezey thingy


Really good for getting a jet of air between heatsinks and inside GPU's
 
I believe that's what PieEater is referring to as a rocket blower, thanks for the picture looks bigger than I expected thus my questioning about it's capability
 
IF your interested in fan filters, use a pair of your Mrs old tights / stockings, very stretchy, non restrictive and catch dust, cheap easy alternative. Stretch them over the front of your fans and then simply hold it in place with the fan screws themselves, 4 corners, dont require cleaning either, they are a disposable item.
 
Jamin280672 said:
IF your interested in fan filters, use a pair of your Mrs old tights / stockings, very stretchy, non restrictive and catch dust, cheap easy alternative. Stretch them over the front of your fans and then simply hold it in place with the fan screws themselves, 4 corners, dont require cleaning either, they are a disposable item.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure that's a good idea. Some people love their computers too much already...
 
I use an airbed pump, a manual one just like a large bicycle pump.

You get a good work out too.:D
 
Vacumn cleaner and paint brush here.

Always stick a finger on a fan if vacuuming round it though as otherwise if it spins freely it can send a surge that can blow a fan header.

I also heard that you should keep the machine plugged in (but switched off at mains) as vacuuming can cause a static charge in the hoover pipe so this would help earth it. Not sure about this, I've been vacuuming computers for years often not earthed and never had an issue.

I do actually have a compressor, but its a bit of a faff pulling it out setting it up etc not to mention its chuffing noisy.... Always end up with the good old Dyson ;-)

E-I
 
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