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Options for dusting out the inside of the case?

J

Jynx980

Senior member
Im looking for somthing that I can take with me when I go work on peoples' computer's to clean out the case. Usually the case is caked with dust and a crappy can of compressed air just aint gonna do the job. It looks like an air compressor would work well but Im not sure if the 'auto tire' type ones are powerfull enough. I'm just going to use it for dusting so I'm not ready to fork over $100 for a heavy duty one that isnt very portable in the first place. Does someone have any experience using an air compressor for this purpose? How did it work? Was it powerfull enough?

This is the type of thing I am looking at now.
 
1st off compressors can dangerously push wet/damp air into parts so it's important to make sure to push dry air...I doubt if that one will do much as I use a much larger one and it pushes out short burts @ a time and barely gets the job done. The key is not how much pressure but what CFM's it'll push at the pressure which the 12V ports just don't have. I would suggest passing the buck onto the Customer and using the Cans unless you're will to go the C note.
 
How about getting a compressor made for working with airbrushes?? Put a water seperator on it and it should be decent (at least). I would make damned sure it's blowing DRY air... bone dry air... before using it on computer parts.

As for cans of air, if you get ones that are at least 8-10oz you'll be fine. Usually one is more than enough for any system, unless the dust is baked on.
 
I think best method if you happen to go to other peoples homes is can of compressed air and some brushes, personally I use compressed air, vacuum and a toothbrush to clean the interior of my case and componets.
 
Originally posted by: Matt155
I think best method if you happen to go to other peoples homes is can of compressed air and some brushes, personally I use compressed air, vacuum and a toothbrush to clean the interior of my case and componets.
Click to expand...

How often do you clean out your system where you need to use a toothbrush to clean it? I MIGHT need to do that if I let it go 2+ years between cleanings.
 
Just tell them they need a new computer. 😀

It seems like anything outside of a can of compressed air would be more trouble than its worth if you ask me.
 
If compressed air can't cut it, what will? If the dust is really GLUED on, then there's not a whole lot of point in trying to clean it. My mom's computer have gotten dusty as hell, and compressed air dows the job in two minutes flat.
 
With my step-dad's computer, I had to completely remove the fan on the heatsink because it was PACKED with dust. Temps were probably in the 70-80 range. It really was sick, 4+ years without even being OPENED! I had to get toothpicks to clean it off.
 
OfficeMax had last year (supposedly they will be getting them back again this year) a little handheld battery-operated blower. It's REALLY nice, works very well.
 
Originally posted by: aloser
OfficeMax had last year (supposedly they will be getting them back again this year) a little handheld battery-operated blower. It's REALLY nice, works very well.
Click to expand...

could you show me a picture or give me the name of it? i've been looking for something exactly like that. i have about 8 computers that i need to clean regularly and thats a lot of compressed air cans.
 
Originally posted by: PingSpike
Just tell them they need a new computer. 😀

It seems like anything outside of a can of compressed air would be more trouble than its worth if you ask me.
Click to expand...

Funny you should mention that. One person I was doing a job for had a corrupt part of windows that prevented it from booting up. He was seriously ready to buy a new one and chuck the old one in the garbage.


I guess the consensus is to stick with canned air. It just irks me that I have to pay for air. I have used a leaf blower before but its a little much and is too loud for peoples homes. The airbrush idea is neat. Ill check into that. The officemax thing would be great if they do get it back in. I'm still going to search for the perfect solution, but thanks for you input guys!

Haha! I just did a search for an airbrush compressor and found a funny pic. Check it out about half-way down the page.
 
Jynx980 -- If you're getting paid for fixing the computers of others, you have "a bidniss". And if you have a bidniss, you are right in desiring to cut costs. You may pass on costs to the customer, but you're better off eliminating costs to pass on -- if you charge the same, you can pocket some extra ducats.

Cans of compressed air, at $3 to $6 a pop -- that's some extra ducats.

I think your idea has merit. You just have to find the right piece of equipment.
 
Jynx980 -- If you're getting paid for fixing the computers of others, you have "a bidniss". And if you have a bidniss, you are right in desiring to cut costs. You may pass on costs to the customer, but you're better off eliminating costs to pass on -- if you charge the same, you can pocket some extra ducats.

Cans of compressed air, at $3 to $6 a pop -- that's some extra ducats.

I think your idea has merit. You just have to find the right piece of equipment.
 
I personally use a screw driver which I rub on the carpet real fast. than i insert in the case were dust is and mobo i dont know why but everytime i do i see this spark come from the screwdriver and it makes contact with the mobo? my business isnt going so well I wonder what I am doing wrong?
 
Originally posted by: w00t
I personally use a screw driver which I rub on the carpet real fast. than i insert in the case were dust is and mobo i dont know why but everytime i do i see this spark come from the screwdriver and it makes contact with the mobo? my business isnt going so well I wonder what I am doing wrong?
Click to expand...

It should be pretty obvious that your not getting enough power to zap off the dust. Take
this guy, hook it to each end of the motherboard, then power it up. It will electrify off all the dust and leave the computer running just like it was new again! This is an industry secret so dont spread it around too much. Your business will be "booming" in no time! 😀
 
Originally posted by: Jynx980
Originally posted by: w00t
I personally use a screw driver which I rub on the carpet real fast. than i insert in the case were dust is and mobo i dont know why but everytime i do i see this spark come from the screwdriver and it makes contact with the mobo? my business isnt going so well I wonder what I am doing wrong?
Click to expand...

It should be pretty obvious that your not getting enough power to zap off the dust. Take
this guy, hook it to each end of the motherboard, then power it up. It will electrify off all the dust and leave the computer running just like it was new again! This is an industry secret so dont spread it around too much. Your business will be "booming" in no time! 😀
Click to expand...


ROFLOL
I love it
 
Originally posted by: Jynx980
Originally posted by: w00t
I personally use a screw driver which I rub on the carpet real fast. than i insert in the case were dust is and mobo i dont know why but everytime i do i see this spark come from the screwdriver and it makes contact with the mobo? my business isnt going so well I wonder what I am doing wrong?
Click to expand...

It should be pretty obvious that your not getting enough power to zap off the dust. Take
this guy, hook it to each end of the motherboard, then power it up. It will electrify off all the dust and leave the computer running just like it was new again! This is an industry secret so dont spread it around too much. Your business will be "booming" in no time! 😀
Click to expand...

I prefer to use this item to 'remove' dust from computers...
 
I have to agree, if canned air doesn't remove what is in your clients computer, just explain to them you need to take it "off site" for thorough servicing to get rid of all that dust, and charge them a bundle for it. Easy money.
 
I just used a standard air compressor and air nozzle to clean out my system after it had gotten full of wall texturing dust during a 3 month long home remodeling project. I know this was very risky because water tends to condense in the compressor tank along with very greasy oils which can end up coming out in the airstream but it worked out fine. Nothing like 90lbs of air pressure to get the junk out! It was really an insane amount of dust coming out of that rig, never seen anything like it.....

 
Originally posted by: Reiniku
Originally posted by: aloser
OfficeMax had last year (supposedly they will be getting them back again this year) a little handheld battery-operated blower. It's REALLY nice, works very well.
Click to expand...

could you show me a picture or give me the name of it? i've been looking for something exactly like that. i have about 8 computers that i need to clean regularly and thats a lot of compressed air cans.
Click to expand...

Just found it online again - here it is
 
Originally posted by: aloser
Originally posted by: Reiniku
Originally posted by: aloser
OfficeMax had last year (supposedly they will be getting them back again this year) a little handheld battery-operated blower. It's REALLY nice, works very well.
Click to expand...

could you show me a picture or give me the name of it? i've been looking for something exactly like that. i have about 8 computers that i need to clean regularly and thats a lot of compressed air cans.
Click to expand...

Just found it online again - here it is
Click to expand...

Here it is at OfficeMax with a $4 instant rebate! Hell that's a good deal! Looks like the local store has it after adding it to my cart online. Ill check it out! Maybe I'll post this in the hot deals forum 😀 Thanks!
 
I usually ask people if I can use their vacuum cleaner or take the computer with me and vacuum it at my place. My allergies don't like it when I blow a bunch of dust into the air.
 
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