Dealing with dust?

[heyyoudvd]

My apartment tends to ge very dusty very fast and I'm worried it could affect my PC. I rarely ever tried to clean my last computer and the amount of dust that gathers on both the exterior and interior is just sickening. You can actually see layers of the stuff on the video and sound cards, for example. That was a budget PC from the very start, though (ie. it has an MX200 in it) so I was never all that concerned with taking care of it.

I recently bought a new PC, though, and far superior, so I want to try to keep in the best shape possible. Well, I've only had it for 9 days now and I can already see dust gathering in certain grooves of my Sonata so I've come to the realization that I have to try to clean it pretty often (once a week if possible).

Now, the question is how do I do that? Because I originally considered using those swiffer-type clothes since they're so great with dust but the reason for that is that they use static electricity to attract it and that's obviously not a good idea when fragile microchips are the things being cleaned.

So, what can I do to clean the thing regularly? Can i vacuum inside the case (because vacuum cleaners emit magnetic fields which are also dangerous) or are there cans of air I can use to blow away the dust? Or is there something else I'm not thinking of?

Any advice?

Thanks.

 

[amol]

i use compressed air cans

 

[heyyoudvd]

A few questions:

1. The pressure from the air won't damage anything?
2. Can they be purchased at most computer parts stores?
3. How much is a can and how long will it last me?

 

[UmneyDurak]

Originally posted by: heyyoudvd
A few questions:

1. The pressure from the air won't damage anything?
2. Can they be purchased at most computer parts stores?
3. How much is a can and how long will it last me?

1. It shouldn't. Just make sure everything is unplugged when you clean your PC.
Becarefull with the fans thought. Hold them in place while blowing air in to them, so they don't spin.

2. Yeah, they are sold in pretty much all computer stores. Even Costco carries them.

3. Don't remember exact cost. Should last for some time.
Time may very dependding on the how they are used, and how often.

 

[Abhi]

Use filters on your intake fans..

Will cut out the dust intake...

 

[powerMarkymark]

I heard that compressed air is a bad idea as it will push the dust into small cracks and areas on the motherboard. (makes sense to me)


That being said, use a vacuum cleaner to pull the dust from your computer. (need I say, be careful?)

Filters will limit the intake of dust but also limit the intake of air.

The choice is yours.

Marc

 

[Blain]

Are CO2 dusters better or worse than canned air for PC cleaning?

 

[cy7878]

takes years to built up enough dust to kill a system. Point is do you care about the system as much as you do now in 2 years?

Having said that, everytime I open the case, I make an effort to blow out the dust...... I just don't like the dust messing up my carpet.


We have computers at work that are left on for years, placed on the floor where dust is visible even from the drive opening...... There are systems that are at least 3 years old and still running without problems....

 

[0roo0roo]

canned air works. no it doesn'[t hurt. just don't do nit while running. if ur place is that dusty, theres no magic solution besides using a room air filtration system. put in filters and u cut air flow in your case. then u gotta clean the filters. cheap easy filters are airconditioning foam filter or washable furnace filter u can rubber band or masking tape to the fan.. or however ghetto u want to do it. u can also purchse filters, but many have holders that block a lot of surface area

 

[LED]

Blowing dust out with canned air is much better than sucking it in and I would think more in terms od clening the air outside with 1 HEPA Aircleaner or something which in turn would be better for you and the Puter