When was the last time you cleaned your computer?

well twice yearly for me for dust once a year i'll pull everything out de-dust it take off all heat sinks and replace the tim on all HSF's, the keyboard is now due a pull apart and wash and if im feeling really game i'll put my mobo through the dishwasher..

don't let it dry in their though take it out rinse off with deionised water and place in an oven heated to 50c leave for 30mins and viola spakly clean just like new....

the fans are the hardest part to do being a smoker compressed air just doesn't quite cut so it's out with the isopropal and cotton buds and some 3in1 machine oil to relube them thats why i get an sleve baring fan to last 7yrs lol it's still quiet too

 

I only clean my keyboard about once every few months

 

Good question, mine is over due if once every two months is the norm.

 

Never

Never, it's disgusting inside. Can you put a new op system in a dirty old pc though? It appears that you can because I got Win7 for Christmas and went from XP to Win7. I guess that counts as cleaing up the hard drive.

 

Usually every couple of months I take the compressed air to all my systems and the keyboards. That seems to keep them pretty clean. As far as washing the keyboard, never. They are like the cheap window blinds in my house, when they get too dirty, I take them down and replace them. It's easier that way!

 

Good advice on cleaning pc

Thanks, guys, for the good advice and your practices for cleaning your pc. The keyboard is the main thing, I think, and I used spray can or damp washcloth when I do it. Have forgotten for almost a year on both the laptop and desktop. Wife uses the desktop almost exclusively and a lot, while snacking, etc, consequently DT needs it the most. Will get right to it tomorrow. Didn't know you could dis/re-assemble KBD, will have a look. Knew about dust build-up inside tower and LT (have to r&r LT kbd occasionally to re-seat things). Need to be sure you've discharged pcb/case and grounded yourself to avoid static electricity! Good advice, cheers and Merry Christmas to all,
jumpshotjrh

 

Other peripherals.

A lot's been mentioned of keyboards/towers/laptops etc but bear in mind dust bunnies can also reproduce inside printers and other peripherals.

It's not quite as bad as the old days with roller ball mice (I needed to clean mine weekly ) but there's not a lot worse than a dog hair on the printer roller ruining a 30 page report that's just came out your inkjet full colour HQ and all

PS

The dog survived, but only just

 

I'm putting in a new mobo and cpu... I guess I'll clean it! (sighs heavily)

 

I answered never - actual answer should have been various parts once in a while.

I dust the outside of my tower case once in a while. I turn my keyboard over and shake it out, probably once a month or so - amazing the junk that comes out, since I don't eat or drink anything near it. Again, once in a while I sort of wipe clean the keyboard. Also, wipe down the monitor screen if it seems to need it. Have never done the inside of the tower, nor my mouse, nor even my printer. I do keep the printer and separate scanner covered when not in use and they do not appear very dusty.

My PC is 5 years old, but so far I have managed to get away with this neglect.

I guess I am just lazy about it and do know that more should be done but like Scarlett O'Hara "Tomorrow is another day ".

Happy New Year everybody and add a regular thorough cleaning of your PC to your New Year's Resolutions.

 

jorjab, if you're amazed at the junk that comes out with that much effort, open the case and you'll really see a mess. I have an HP MS214 all in one, so I don't know how to go about opening the case. I don't want to do anything to void my warranty, it's only a month old. Would taking a thin layer of filtering sponge catch the dust, so it doesn't get there in the first place?

 

Catilley,

The sponge might hinder the air circulation necessary for the PC so would be careful about that.
Not sure what would void your warranty - depends on where you bought it and what warranty says about things like that.

Perhaps you could contact where you bought it and see what they say you can do? If direct from HP, try their support page and email them.

These are the instructions for dismantling it which I found on the HP web site.
http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01895532.pdf

You can find the manuals for their computers on their web site.
http://www.hp.com

Good Luck

 

@ catilley pretty much just opening the case will void your warranty they use little security stickers break any one of them and it's kiss your warranty goodbye unless it's done by an autherised dealer/technician, but then at only 1 month old i doubt you've many families of dust bunnies living in your computer

 

Hello,

The last I cleaned my computer was last year.I can still remember there was lot of virus in my computer and i had to make it clean after that i havent cleaned it.

 

I vacuum pc and keyboard every week and really clean keyboard every few months.

 

I just throw the keyboard in the bath every now and again. Seems to work fine.

I clean the case out 2x/yr down at the filling station. So much dust comes out I can't do it at home.

Oh and BTW, I've never cleaned my keyboard before.

 

Usually every other month, with compressed air (stop fan blades from spinning with small plastic rod) and give it the works. I find it necessary to do this regularly, as my tower sits on a 4" high pedestal on carpet. With 3 case fans and 4 hardware fans, there is quite a volume of air drawing into the case along with dust/hair/fibers all the time. Neil.
ps. have just done it this morning.

 

I need to clean mine once a month. 3 fans in the front for liquid cooling, 4 more fans inside..talk about dust. I still need liquid cooling for the graphic's cards.

spec's here are my work computer

 

Built 2x, working on 3rd home build. I chose to create filtration systems in all three. New hardware now days does not generate the heat older systems did. I'm not a gamer so my power needs are easily feed via Corsair's 80 plus efficiency 400w (2x systems) and 550w (1x system). 2 systems run mobo graphics, mine runs a 8800 addon. All these cases run multiple 120/200 or 250mm fans ... all running at low speed. I purchased some bulk HEPA filter material and position custom cut HEPA in front of fan intakes and intake vents. Have cut pieces of blister pack (from any left over packaging) to direct air flow around mobo for best heat removal. Also tape shut any case slots, holes, openings to maintain clean intake air. Started this with my computer 2 years ago, change filters once per year .... they are disgusting dirty when changed ... but inside computer is immaculately clean. This includes the inside of PSU and 8800 fan cool graphic card. They both pull filtered air from within the case and exhaust out of case. The HEPA bulk filter material was not cheap. Over $50 for about 3 to 4 square feet. With a house full of teenagers, 3 dogs and a cat my computers are happy campers. Never had a heat issue and they are always cool and clean.

 

@ Dennis L Care to post some temps

 

I inspect the interior once a month, and clean as necessary, which is about every 3 months. Another computer in same room has an air filter - the interior of that machine needs cleaning only twice a year. I will never buy another case without a removable, washable air filter.

Note that those little stickers telling you that you void the warranty if broken are NOT legal on PCs. You have the Right to install more RAM, for example, or another hard drive yourself and not be forced to pay a so-called authorized repair facility for these simple upgrades. And you have the responsibility to keep the interior clean - the maker surely will not honor the warranty if it burns up because it was full of dust.

If a maker tries to void your warranty because the seal is broken, sue them! You will win. Of course that means you must do the maintenance properly and not cause any additional damage in the process. This is the same legal issue as doing minor maintenance on your new car. You have the legal right to change your own oil and filter, for example, or have your own mechanic do required routine maintenance without taking it to the dealer (just keep your receipts).

Note too, this only applies for devices that have "user serviceable" parts inside. So, for example, there are no user serviceable parts inside a power supply so you are not allowed open a PSU.