When was the last time you cleaned your computer?

Did it last week, as I picked up the Antec 900II, case. But I had cleaned it when it was in the old case about 3 1/2 week ago.

 

Cleaning schedule

I clean out mine on a monthly basis, PC case and keyboard. I use a data vac that I got mostly for that, then blow out the more stubborn dust with compressed air.

With some of the PC's I've seen in our warehouse and other places, it's a wonder they didn't burn up (catch fire), not just burn out.

 

The maid, well trained, every six months.

Everybody....make a note....Arie has over 10,000 post !!!!

 

I use a simple little programme called Speedfan to monitor the fan speeds and CPU temp... it reminds me to **** the cat hairs out of the tower unit every couple of months !!

 

Arie - Thanks for running this poll. Because of you I have now done what I should have done several months ago. And just as my car runs much better after I clean it, so does my computer. Don't know why that happens - it just does.

 

Well, I can't explain why your car runs better, but as "heat is the bane of all electronics" I can tell you that many computers and computing devices are designed to go into self-protection mode and slow down when temperatures exceed some pre-determined threshold. Since a layer of dust makes a very effective, heat-trapping blanket, cleaning may allow your computer to run at full speeds again.

SpeedFan is a great monitoring program. Another is Motherboard Monitor and I've been very happy with CoreTemp for the newer Intel and AMD64 CPUs. Unfortunately, I have found that these programs often have problems properly identifying and labeling the sensor they are reading. The temperatures shown are as accurate as the inexpensive, low-tech sensors will allow, but it may say System Fan instead of CPU Fan. Fortunately, the programs do allow you to edit the labels, so I use Everest to verify the temperatures (as it is better able to put sensor to label correctly), then edit the label in the monitoring program.

 

best feature of Speedfan is the auto fan speed setting, fan runs at less than 40% when cpu is on a light load

 

Bill,

Thanks for the note. I will take a look at your links - I had Everest at one time but only used it for a specific purpose. I can see where it would be good to have something like that at the ready to check up on things from time to time just to see if there is any significant change. I used to do the same thing with an OTC computer scanner for my cars - same principle could be applied to comptuers.

DaveC1947 - Thanks for your input as well.

 

When you have 3 golden retrievers you clean it monthly. It is amazing how much hair they can shed. The tower is mounted off the floor. Putting your tower on the floor, especialy on carpeting will realy add to the dust collection.

 

how high off the floor is your box if it's more than 2 foot then you shouldn't be getting dog hair in it

 

:rotfl: You've never owned a dog have you? Or a cat for that matter. Or have allergies either. The hair falls off the dog. Just walking stirs it up and into the air from which the fans of the computer draw it in. Anybody who has had a dog that sheds knows that dog hair gets EVERYWHERE - that's just part of life being an animal lover. Frequent vacuuming keeps it from getting inches think, but also stirs it up in the air too. And it is amazing how much a large dog can shed in 24 hours. Sure, closer to the ground has more but to say you shouldn't be getting dog hair if more than 2 feet off the floor is way, WAY unrealistic, and naive (and I mean that with sincere respect). Especially with 3 dogs in the house that not only shed 3 times as much, but also by entertaining themselves, keep a lot of hair, dander, and other allergens floating about. Plus, no doubt, they surely come by the computer frequently to see what the master is doing, wondering why he is not paying attention to them.

 

Good question. Monitor, keyboard, mouse etc. is fine. What about internally? There is always a risk of overheating fans and cpus. With care this should be done twice a year.

 

actually i have a cat and i never find cat fur in my PC why because A he isn't close enough to it for cat fur to get sucked into it and B its 25" off the ground and C i have good filters on all the intake fans... and W. T. F. does having allergies got to do with it if you've got them to cats or dogs then maybe you shouldn't have one aye

 

now back to the question in hand if its up off the ground and your still finding "Pet Hair" getting into you pc maybe start thinking about fan filters the one i have are good they consist of two woven wire screens with what looks to be Dacron between them they're easily removed and easily washed to clean them these are so good at keeping crud out that even being a smoker i seem not to be getting the tar on the components inside like i used to ( used to take ISO and cotton buds to clean)

 

Ah! Well that will make a big difference. I will never buy another case that does not have removable, washable filters.

As for allergies - you don't have to be allergic to cats and dogs - just the stuff they roll around in. Of course many folks with allergies are allergic to house dust, which is primarily dead skin (from humans and pets), microscopic critters that eat dead skin (dust mites) and all the microscopic fecal matter they leave behind!

 

I had mine cleaned about 2 hours ago, first time ever - hence what will be a major temperature difference once I've reconnected everything (can't compare as I'm missing a hard drive, fan and the case sides xD)

 

I usually clean mine once or twice a year but it probably could be done more often. I do not disassemble or remove any components so its not as thorough as it should be. A trick I discovered on my own, instead of using those woosee cans of compressed air.....I filled up my portable 2 gallon air tank with 90 psi of pressure .... a few short bursts of high pressure air will remove a whole bunch of dust bunnies! Don't worry, I was careful .

 

Wow!! I never thought of the dental pick angle!! I usually go at it with a seam ripper. In fact I have one that I save for the job, which means that one has the brush that has never seen a drop of oil. But I can see were a dental pick would reach further.

 

I never even considered using an air pump. I used to have one of those blow up mattresses. After it was irrepairably ripped, I was left with the electric pump that I bought for blowing it up. Now, you have just given me a use for it!

 

@Helpval40 - you need to start a new thread for your problem. This is about keeping our computers clean of dust and dirt. In that way, you problem will get the attention it deserves.

If you have an air compressor, it works even better. BUT there are some essential precautions that must be addressed or you can do more damage than it's worth.

It must be equipped with a suitable, in-line moisture and contaminant filter to prevent spewing rusty water and other contaminants onto the electronics. You must adhere to proper ESD precautions. And you must avoid seeing how fast you can make the fans spin as that can destroy the bearings.

It is also important to lug the computer outside before blasting or else much of the dust will just get sucked back into the computer.