Buying help on cleaning computer inners.

Best method to clean fluff/dust from inside computer casing. Use of compressed air cans or hand held hoover and where to purchase. Thank you.

 

I use vaccum cleaner in blower mode to clean computers. Just make sure that you remove ALL the power supply wires from motherboard/hard disk/fans/dvd etc.

 

When using compressed air, first insert a straw, Popsicle stick, or similar through the fan blades to keep them from spinning. Over-spinning a fan, (spinning the fan faster than it was designed to spin), can ruin the fan's bearings.

 

Thank you for responses. Is there a reason for removing cables from the motherboard ect? Which is the safest method, household vacuum cleaner or compressed air in a cannister? I am cautious as this is a new operation for me.

 

Datavac electric duster is what I use most often.

Vacuum cleaners can cause static.

 

Thanks Doc I'll have to look into that product. I've been using Craftsman 4 gallon oil free pancake air compressor

 

It looks promising, where can they be obtained and price? would be very helpful. Thanks.

 

I use an Air Compress and a q-tip. Wipe the fan blades with the q-tip then hold them from spinning when the air hits them. I have never removed a cable from anything.

 

I think that air canister is my best solution, as I have only one computer requiring periodic cleaning. I can not understand as to why cables required to be removed prior to cleaning other than the outer cables.

 

Any spinning fan [whether in power supply, cabinet fan or cpu fan] acts a a generator & produces voltage. If this voltage gets into your motherboard, hdd it can damage it.

So disconnecting cables is a good precaution.

 

I prefer the Duster over compressed air simply because it eliminates the potential for too much air pressure.

Froogle: datavac electric duster

 

Most air compressors have a regulator on them. I have mine set to about 10 lbs.

 

Yep, mine do too. It's just easier to grab the duster. Click and blow.

 

I take mine out to the shop and do it. Air compress is right there. Did it with a can years ago in the house and almost got a divorce from doing that.

 

I use them wherever I happen to be working on computer equipment. If the equipment is especially dirty, and it's moveable, I'll take it outside of course.

My wife even uses one frequently. Car, cabinets, drawers, TV, stereo ...

To each his own I guess eh?

 

Unfortunately, I am just a poor computer user without access to an air compressor, but I do have a very understanding and patient wife. So what do I use to clean out a moderate fluff and dusty computer?

 

Will she allow you to get the vac SpywareDr recommended.

 

What! just for a once in a while periodic clean of computer. Me say NO!!!

 

If you can't spend any money, then use your vacuum cleaner, (on blow instead of suction).

If you don't have a vacuum cleaner or you're allowed to spend a few bucks, buy a can of compressed air.

 

I feel a real "old grey "pauper. There are several types of "compressed" air cannister advertised - which one?, many as inflamable, not much use on computers, I would say. Any spelling errors!!, this due to spell checker not functioning.