Popped my PC open today to swap out the power supply, found all the fans inside covered in dust. How can I safely clean everything out?
Can of air should blow most of it out, although the dust is going to fly everywhere. Swiffer duster might work, too.
What Captain X said. Tho you may want to have a vacum cleaner handy opposite where you're blowing the canned air, just to catch the dust.
Also, let me stress this, do not under any circumstance actually vacuum out your computer. Do not touch any components with the vacuum nozzle nor bring it close. Vacuum cleaners build up insane amounts of static electricity. You are just as likely to kill your PC as clean if you bring the vacuum too close. * Yes, I know, this problem is mitigated if you use a metal vacuum nozzle with a ground strap connected to the chassis, but is it likely that Talkahuano has that available?
Get a washtub. If you don't have a washtub, you can use the bathtub in a pinch. Fill it with lukewarm water and a 5% solution of white vinegar and a dash of baking soda. Use an old toothbrush to work the solution into all the little bits and pieces. Allow to dry thoroughly before plugging it back in. ...unless we're talking about porn and viruses. That, you should use at least a 7% solution for the vinegar and add a capful of bleach as well. And the water should be several degrees warmer.
Can of air for the big areas where dust has collected. Rubbing alcohol and Q-tips for the nooks and crannies where dust, hair, crumbs, and semen has settled.
You should have to worry about the semen unless the computer has developed a personality that's now trying to kill you. Other than that, what practically everyone else has advised. Can of air, outside, yada yada. Oh, and don't jam the nozzle for the air right up against anything. Oh, and one more note on compressed air? Sure it comes out nice and cold, but don't use it as a substitute during the summer if your AC should go out. Not a good idea, just trust me on this.
That's pretty harsh dude. I don't think many colleges give all their students lessons on anti-static cleaning methods.
He didn't know what a heat sink looked like? Anywho imma get an air can today and clean the beastie out. Thanks for the tips.
Last time I cleaned mine I was in a hurry so I opened the case up and strapped it down in the bed of my pickup truck (RIP) and drove through the local car wash. Guess what? Not only was my computer sparkly clean, so was my truck! And it didn't cost anymore than the car wash.
While you're at it, pick up a cheapie paint brush and use it along with the compressed air to clean out your nasty keyboard, slob.
Anyone who has used compressed air would know it can spray out moisture, that it can be high pressure (and could dislodge loose components) and that it contains fans which could cause trouble of they spin the wrong way. What's got your pants in a twist?
Then take the crumbs you get from the keyboard cleaning, and bake a "bran muffin" for one of your enemies!
If you ever run into this problem again you can also use powerful magnets to pull the dust away from your computer.
A few months ago, I took one of our desktops outside, blew it out with some compressed air, plugged it back in, turned it on, and tripped a breaker. Only thing I can think of is that I blew a dust bunny into the power supply and it landed somewhere it shouldn't have.
