Cleaning PCs
Howard Kaikow
following way?
1. Blow the dust off the top layer of metal and devices in the case (ATX).
2. Move down 1 level at a time.
3. Wipe the dust off the bottom of the case with, say, swabs.
What about blowing the dust out of the power supply?
Or is it better to try to vacuum out the power supply?
I am reluctant to spray anything on the mobo or expansion cards, since the
can does have a propellant.
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Ben Myers
1. I rarely use any liquids to clean inside a PC chassis. Too much risk to the
electronics.
2. Dry swabs are not bad. A very soft bristled brush is even better. Dry
lint-free cloths and commercial Kim-Wipes (industrial Kleenex) are good, too.
3. The propellant in Blow Off will not damage electronics, as long as the system
is unplugged. Let the propellant evaporate completely before powering on the
system. If you keep the can held in an upright position, you will minimize the
amount of propellant deposited on any part of a computer. I use Blow Off all
the time, and order it in small case lots.
4. Very few vacuum cleaners suck hard enough to do a decent job of cleaning the
inside of a power supply. They simply do not suck. A blast of compressed air
has far more force needed to dislodge particles of dust and dirt from inside a
power supply and elsewhere.
5. Clearing the dust out of a computer is an iterative process. The dust and
dirt move around when dislodged.
6. Weather permitting, take an open computer chassis outside to clean out the
dust and dirt, which are not good for YOUR health, either. No sense in having
the dust floating in the air inside your home or office... Ben Myers
Howard Kaikow
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> 1. I rarely use any liquids to clean inside a PC chassis. Too much risk
to the
> electronics.
That's my fear.
> 2. Dry swabs are not bad. A very soft bristled brush is even better. Dry
> lint-free cloths and commercial Kim-Wipes (industrial Kleenex) are good,
too.
Where does one get "dry swabs"?
What type of brush? A high quality artist's brush?
> 3. The propellant in Blow Off will not damage electronics, as long as the
system
> is unplugged. Let the propellant evaporate completely before powering on
the
> system. If you keep the can held in an upright position, you will
minimize the
> amount of propellant deposited on any part of a computer. I use Blow Off
all
> the time, and order it in small case lots.
I tried to find places online that sell Blow Off, but neither pricegrabber
or mysimon had any hits on "Blow Off".
> 4. Very few vacuum cleaners suck hard enough to do a decent job of
cleaning the
> inside of a power supply. They simply do not suck. A blast of compressed
air
> has far more force needed to dislodge particles of dust and dirt from
inside a
> power supply and elsewhere.
> 5. Clearing the dust out of a computer is an iterative process. The dust
and
> dirt move around when dislodged.
I was thinking of using a straw to blow dust off of electronics parts. As
long as there's no saliva, that should be OK.
Ben Myers
Dry swabs. The type which can be bought in the drug store by the 100. Before
they are moistened with something.
A good quality artist's brush.
Order a carton of Blow Off from the manufacturer, or buy an equivalent product
by the single can at Best Buy, Circuit City, Staples, or whereever.
Your better off with a can of compressed air rather than your own saliva-free
breath, no matter how strong your lungs are. No comparison... Ben Myers
Emmet Quill
for Blow Off, a straight compressed air duster or
for a zero residue cleaner degreaser. Blue Shower is supposed to be in
the process of being reformulated due to problems with the Feds. I have
used the original formula (banned) to good effect to clean boards. To pick
up the junk, spray in one end and block the far end with paper towels to
pick up the junk and residue. Let dry thoroughly before power-on. I let it
dry overnight. Probably overkill.
I buy the stuff in a local electronics supply house. Since I live in the
sticks, you probably would have more choice.
Emmet
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"Howard Kaikow" <kai...@standards.com> wrote in message
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Howard Kaikow
power supply.
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"Emmet Quill" <eCXq...@enetZXis.net> wrote in message
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Ben Myers
Howard Kaikow
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"Ben Myers" <ben_...@charter.net> wrote in message
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Ben Myers
I got mine in a pile at a bankruptcy auction, but industrial supply outfits are
the more traditional means of acquiring them. Aren't you pretty close to the
shopping strip on DW Highway? Ought to be somebody there...Ben
Howard Kaikow
There's likely some local outfit that purchases cases and sells by the box,
but won't be easy to find.
Industrial Supply of NE still has an office here, but moved its warehouse to
Worcester.
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"Ben Myers" <ben_...@charter.net> wrote in message
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Voyager2k2
> Apparently, Kimberly-Clark allows its distributors to sell only by the
case.
> There's likely some local outfit that purchases cases and sells by the
box,
> but won't be easy to find.
>
> Industrial Supply of NE still has an office here, but moved its warehouse
to
> Worcester.
bring out a pack of swifters.
I am not one for using compressed air. IMHO it can cause as many problems as
it solves.
It tends to blow fine particles into fan bearings and switches, and the
problems aren't evident right away.
I usually tell the user of the system exactly how many swifters it took to
clean their system.
Millennia Max GS's are real dust catchers BTW. Those twin 92mm fans do move
some serious dust-laden air.
If it's been a long time (couple of years) I usually pop the top from the PS
and really get in there with some swifters.
I don't doubt what Ben says is not correct. Ben has forgotten more than I
know.
It's just another way to get the job done with materials available from
local retail sources.
Ben Myers
Howard Kaikow
I'm leaning towards using the compressed air only on the keyboard.
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"Voyager2k2" <no...@nowhere.org> wrote in message
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Howard Kaikow
1. Clearly, it is dusty.
2. I don't feel any air blowing from the power supply.
3. I didn't see a fan in the power supply.
As far as I know, the only fans are the 92mm above the power supply and one
above the slot 1 CPU.
Seems I better blow thru the power supply, using a trash bag to catch the
crap.
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"Voyager2k2" <no...@nowhere.org> wrote in message
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>
Howard Kaikow
I found the power supply fan.
It's on the top of the power supply, just under the 2 rear drive bays.
It is filthy.
Can I use a regular vacuum cleaner to suck the dirt out of the power supply?
I could then use Blow Off, and then the vacuum cleaner again.
However, I would need to cover the fan, so nothing blew into the case, only
out the rear.
Power supply is a Fortron FSP300-60GI, came with Millennia back in 1998.
I'll see whether Fortron, or other, web site has recommendations for
cleaning the critter.
P.S.
Went to 2 dictionary web sites and did not find "swifter", at least not in
the sense it is being used in this thread.
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"Howard Kaikow" <kai...@standards.com> wrote in message
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Voyager2k2
> What's a "swifter"? ... Ben
It's a Swiffer. :-)
http://www.homemadesimple.com/swiffer/usenglish/swiffer.shtml
They do not leave a residue, in case you were wondering.
Ben Myers
becomes part of the mainstream English language lexicon like Xerox, IBM cards,
and Kleenex... Ben
Ben Myers
competitors sell cases and cases of compressed air. Yes, the small but finite
probability exists that a stray piece of dirt will become firmly lodged inside a
fan bearing. You pays your money and you takes your choice.
I have used compressed air to clean all the dirt out of hundreds of computers
and I have yet to hear a complaint that some component of the computer failed
after it was cleaned up. Honest, all the dealers around here in my circle of
peers use compressed air... Ben Myers
Howard Kaikow
computer.
The power supply has a fan that blows upwards within the case, not out the
back power supply vent.
Using Blow Off would be inappropriate unless I could securely block the fan
so dirt would not escape into the PC case.
I was thinking of the following strategy.
1. Use a regular household vacuum to suck stuff out the vent, perhaps, first
covering the power supply fan with, say, Glad wrap.
2. Use, say, Glad wrap to cover the power supply fan, then use Blow Off to
blow crap out of the power supply, using a trash bag to catch the debris.
3. Then, again use the vacuum, and then again use Blow Off and, one last
time use the vacuum.
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"Ben Myers" <ben_...@charter.net> wrote in message
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Ben Myers
Once again: OY! Don't try to drive a tack with a sledge hammer! This is all
really easy! Read my previous posts.
In summary:
1. Take the computer chassis outside, with the cover off, so the dust and dirt
will not recirculate around your home or office..
1.1. Wear a face mask if you are concerned about sucking in dust and dirt
yourself.
2. Using compressed air is an iterative process.
3. Blast compressed air, Blow Off or a comparable brand, into all the nooks and
crannies of the chassis.
Some dirt and dust will come swirling out and may well land in a place where you
have already cleaned.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you are satisfied.
5. You are done. Put the chassis cover back on and use the computer.
Note also that swiffers or whatever those new P&G things are called cannot get
into components badly clogged with dust and dirt including the inside of the
power supply, inside a floppy diskette drive (there are special cleaners made
for this purpose), inside a CD-ROM drive, inside the heat sink and cooling fan
mounted on a CPU. Compressed air is quickest and easiest. Otherwise, carefully
disassemble everything for cleaning and reassemble? Hardly! Yes, externally
mounted CPU fans and chassis fans can be removed for cleaning, but that's about
it.
If you fancy the idea of a soft-bristled brush to get at hard-to-reach places,
go for it.
But it's time to get on with cleaning your computer and stop discussing it...
Ben Myers
Howard Kaikow
Blow Off cannot be used with the power supply without sealing off the fan
that is part of the power supply, otherwise, the crap will be blown into the
case, as well as thru the vent behind the power supply. The fan is not
separate from the power supply.
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"Ben Myers" <ben_...@charter.net> wrote in message
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Howard Kaikow
clean it, ten reinstall.
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"Howard Kaikow" <kai...@standards.com> wrote in message
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Ben Myers
really does not matter. "Iterative"! IMHO, eleven posts on this subject from
yourself borders on being obsessive, and I have nothing further to add to this
dialog... Ben Myers
Tim
Just clean the ENTIRE MACHINE as Ben states. I've use compressed air on
power supplies, mobos, and numerous other nooks and cranny of a computer and
I have never had to disassemble it further than taking the cover off. If
any of the dust gets blown into the case, blow it out also. Repeat until
satisfied.
AGAIN, just clean the machine...
"Howard Kaikow" <kai...@standards.com> wrote in message
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gmccx
Yes, some stuff will be blown out of the PS into the box, but who
cares! Just keep blowing air in and around there and eventually it will
all be blown into the air. I do it all the time with a simple air
compressor. This is really no big deal.
--
Wayne W. Scott
These last few comments are starting to reflect my exasperation with the subject matter
also. It's not that big a deal. Take it outside and blow the shit out of it. If not
satisfied, then PISS on it!
When done, put cheese cloth over the intakes to serve as an external filter.
Cheese cloth -- go ask at a hardware store or garden center.
/wws
Howard Kaikow
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"Wayne W. Scott" <wsc...@nac.net> wrote in message
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Dan D. Lyen
I've used compressed air for a LONG TIME,
and have NOT had any problems yet.
(ever since the days of XT's and 286's)