. . . computer dead after a dusting out

[Frugal1ty]

opened the case and blew some air through the computer, dusting off the components, I didn't even touch anything, plugged the power back in and it won't turn on. the only difference i can see is now the LED's on my 3.5in card reader are pulsing (also there are a couple small LED's pulsing on the motherboard at the same time).

what does that sound like to you?

any suggestions?

 

[Cutthroat]

Originally posted by: Frugal1ty
what does that sound like to you?

Murphy's law...

But seriously you likely just knocked something loose, unplug the PC and give all your cards and power connectors a push to make sure everything is snug.

 

[robisbell]

sounds like a dead or dying power supply.

 

[corkyg]

Odds are you blew something loose. I have never liked blowing - all it does is blow the dust somewhere else where it settles again. Sort of like sweeping dirt under the rug.

I use a Swiffer and carefully wipe up the dust and then throw it away. Small vacuum tools designed for computers are also excellent.

Tools

 

[bwatson283]

Originally posted by: corkyg
Odds are you blew something loose. I have never liked blowing - all it does is blow the dust somewhere else where it settles again. Sort of like sweeping dirt under the rug.

I use a Swiffer and carefully wipe up the dust and then throw it away. Small vacuum tools designed for computers are also excellent.

Tools

QFT

 

[jackschmittusa]

Never seen a case of indicator lights "pulsing". The card reader and at least 1 of the leds on the mb are on the 5v circuit.

First thing I would try is to pull out all of the cards and ram sticks (you can do them 1 at a time) and re-seat them. The spring pressure contacts in the slots tend to do some cleaning of the card contacts by friction as you remove and insert them. A little better than just pushing on them.

 

[bwatson283]

if you used canned air. i hope you didn't get it too close and freeze something.

 

[jackschmittusa]

What could be damaged by freezing? Nothing that I know of.

 

[bailw]

Wont turn on means when you press power button, nothing happens? if so, it would narrow it down to motherboard or power supply.

 

[bwatson283]

Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
What could be damaged by freezing? Nothing that I know of.

the moisture

 

[JustaGeek]

These cans spit out water after spraying for a few seconds (due to sudden change of pressure), or if a can is not kept upright vertically.

What can happen then is anybody's guess - might as well spray water to see what might happen...

 

[jackschmittusa]

Since the cans have no water in them, they don't "spit out water". I would imagine that even the frost you can generate with canned air is frozen propellant since it seems to sublimate rather than melt. Even if you did condense water out of the air. it would essentially be distilled water and non-conductive.

It's certainly not something that I worry about.

 

[mitchhamlin]

I'd say make sure everything is snug.

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
Since the cans have no water in them, they don't "spit out water". I would imagine that even the frost you can generate with canned air is frozen propellant since it seems to sublimate rather than melt. Even if you did condense water out of the air. it would essentially be distilled water and non-conductive.

It's certainly not something that I worry about.

They certainly spit out some kind of liquid, Jack.

And it is something I would worry about - I would never do it on a working machine. If you turn it off before cleaning, it will help you avoid potential grief...

 

[jackschmittusa]

The Op unhooked power before he blew it out. I never suggested doing it with the machine running.

 

[JustaGeek]

You're correct - sorry, I overlooked "plugged the power back in" part.

But these cans do tend to spray some kind of a mist - it happened to me, on a working machine (yikes!).

Never again repeated that stupid action, and that's why I am very careful doing it, even on an unpugged computer.

One might never know what this chemical or water mist can do...

 

[law9933]

To prevent the "liquid" from forming use short blasts, slowly.

 

[robisbell]

the air is compressed, and as such, when exposed to normal air temps can and usually produce either a mist, ice or water.

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: law9933
To prevent the "liquid" from forming use short blasts, slowly.

Yup.

I've learned...

 

[Frugal1ty]

as it turns out i didn't have to do anything, i got up one day and tried the power switch and it turned on. thanks everybody for your replies.

 

[JustaGeek]

It dried out...?!?