How to Clean Dust From Computers
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Power off the PC. Disconnect all cables. Take it out into the backyard/driveway etc. Open up the case(usually just 4 screws or clips). Get out your trusty leaf blower and let it have it ! DO NOT TOUCH the insides of the case with any part of the leafblower, but direct the air inside the case and into every exterior opening, including the fan(s)-Reassemble the unit and enjoy.
If you have an air compressor, you can use a blower attachment to blow compressed air into the PC and clean it that way.
2 methods are best to clean the dust from your computer. Use canned air to blow the dust out. Use of a compressor will put moisture and possible rust from the compressor into your computer. The other method is to use either a data vacuum or a shop vac with a crevice tool, again, being careful not to touch anything inside. Leave it plugged in while you do this so it is grounded and can dissipate any static electricity built up by the particles blowing through your computer.
1. NEVER use an air compressor (as Greg mentioned above). In addition to moisture and possible rust, air lines can have air tool oil in them. Also, the psi of a typical blower is strong enough to damage components in your computer. I use a home vacuum cleaner which provides blowing air that’s also filtered.
2. If possible (ie; you’ve done it before), remove the power supply from the computer. Open the power supply case (note – may void the warranty) so you can blow it separately. The power supply usually collects a lot of dust.
3. You’ll want to take the computer’s case off and go outdoors to blow the computer clean (usually there’s substantial dust inside). If it’s hot and humid outside, and you’re in an air conditioned room, wait for a dry day. Taking a cold computer outside on a humid day could result in water condensation that can damage it, especially when you blow the water droplets all over.
4. Greg’s comment about leaving the power cable plugged in to dissipate static is a good idea, but make sure you turn off the power switch on the power supply; not your computer’s front power switch, the one on the back where the cord plugs in. There should be no LEDs lit on the inside the computer, anywhere. If you don’t have a power supply on/off switch, and there is still a lit LED, you will have to unplug the power cord because your motherboard is still live.
5. If you are not removing your case fan, CPU, and/or power supply fans, use a plastic twist tie and/or a plastic fork tied into the fan to secure them. If you have no access to a fan, be careful not to drive it up to a high speed when blowing the area. Fans are not meant to blast around at extra high speeds.
Open the case and blow out dust using canned air available at most computer supply stores. Be sure not to touch any of the components inside with your hands, unless you have a static discharge mat that you are touching also.
Try using a hair dryer on cool not hot or warm!
You don’t need to use anything with too much power
when blowing the dust out of the PC!
The more powerful the blower the danger to your PC!!
You should rarely have to clean a computer. I have seen computers that work in a totally dusty shop, covered with metal laden dust to the point where the keyboard has to be pulled up and shaken before it can work.
The computer lasted for 11 years in this room where jewelry is polished.
I have seen computers filled with roach carcasses and even a mouse.
The very best way to get your computer clean is to put in a bigger and better hard drive. Let the installer clean up your mess.
I use an air compressor. I attach an adjustable needle valve to the end of the hose. THe needle valve is available from Harbor Freight Tools for about a dollar. The needle valve is adjustsble to a steady puff of air.
I have a water-oil seperator in line.
never use a vacuum cleaner cuz the magnetic static off the vacuum cleaner can really damage your hardware.
Randall Lipham – Grateful if you could let me know the name and specs of your compressor. Also details of the water-oil separator and the exact name of the needle valve so that I ask for it at the hardware stores. Thanks!
A gas duster (not a can of air) usually just works fine for me, usually a store brand or Dust-Off.
Vacuum Cleaners
I always have used a vacuum cleaner (reversed, of course) to blow out my computers which I do every few months. I have never had a static charge problem with them or trouble with magnetic fields. I have tried compressed air and think that’s a bad idea. Compressed air can freeze components and break circuit lines on circuit boards not to mention dumping condensation all over your computer.
When I blow out my computers depends on how hot they are getting. I just built a new one recently and have had to blow it out already. With the proper monitor which usually comes with the motherboard, you can monitor the CPU temperature and see when it is going up.
You can use an air Compressor
Many company’s including the one I work for use air compressor’s, It has been the most efficient and detailed way to Clean Our servers/Computers, I also use one to Clean My custom gaming Pc which i have invested well over $7,000 in. when using an Air compressor here are a few things to remember.
1. Make sure it is a Oil-less compressor.
2. 60-70 Psi is sufficient, for caked on dust you can set it to 80.
3. try to get a compressor that has a filter(I have a 2 stage filter, one takes moisture out of the air and dust particles to .02 microns) if yours does not have one you can get it from sears and attach it for $19.99.
if your compressor is indoors like mine you don’t really need a filter that takes the moisture out if you make sure you empty your compressor every day and each time you start it blow some air out initially before blowing your pc out, if there is any water in it from condensation in the air it will come out with the first blow.
3.Use a pencil or small wood stick(I use a small stick I got from a craft store which is about half the diameter of a pencil, then wrap it with electrical tape) you will use this when cleaning out fans with a compressor if you don’t the fan will spin much faster then it was intended. place the stick inside so the fan will not spin.
Ground yourself of course and also if you really want to get fancy they make 4-6″ extension air blowers that are very fine for blowing and getting every little detail (kind of like the plastic tube a can of compressed air has.)
USING A COMPRESSOR
as an industrial controls engineer that works in manufacturing, ive seen a lot of boards come and go. i concure with all of steve’s precautions for cleaning electronics, but i do one more thing. because moving air is notorious for creating static electricity in copious amounts,( the hose may be rubber, but the lining is most likely a woven poly, like polyester carpet is woven from) i use a metal nozzle, and hard wire a ground to it. i don’t rely on my personal ground for this application, it could create a “static” ground loop