Safe to clean the inside of computer with the vacuum cleaner?

[thEnEuRoMancER]

A lot of dust has accumulated inside the computer so I wonder if it's safe to clean it out with a vacuum cleaner. Of course I'd turn the computer off and make no metal-metal contacts.

 

[Jeff H]

Generally speaking I'd avoid using a vacuum cleaner to clean the inside of your computer. Vacuums potentially create enough static to wreak havoc on your components. Plus, you run the risk (albeit small) of it sucking something out of your computer you'd just as soon not lose.

An alternative would be a can of the compressed air. Then, have the vacuum a safe distance from the computer, collecting the dust the air can blows out of the case. Also, there's this thing on the front of your face, called a mouth, that is pretty good at blowing dust out of an opened case <g>.

 

[timco]

I always use a hairdryer! Make sure the computer is turned off first. Put the dryer on low heat so you don't fry anything and it works a treat. Of course, dust flies everywhere, so you could always go outside and do it there...

 

[JimMc]

I use a vacuum, one of those small Craftsman shop vacs. The only thing inside the case is the plastic hose, just be somewhat careful. Compressed air is OK, but it pretty much just blows the dust all over the place, it will eventually settle and get sucked back in the computer .

 

[oldfart]

I've always used a vacuum and never had any issue.

 

[Enigma]

I also use vacume and never had a problem.

 

[Dan]

I have used a vacuum cleaner on ocassion but my preferred cleaning method is to swing by the corner gas station and use the air hose. It's great for cleaning out the power supply. (I'm constantly amazed at how much crap I blow out of people's systems, especially their power supplies.)

 

[Vegito]

I use a can of air blowing in the computer but a vaccum to suck all the dust that comes out.. Just afraid if I knock one of the capactiors by accident... thats a very costly cleaning project..

 

[Elledan]

Why should you actually clean a computer? Does it have impact on its performance?

 

[Jeff H]

From a heat perspective, yes it does. Dust traps heat, whether it's on your cpu, memory, add-in cards, or drives. The dust impedes the transfer of heat from the component to the air in the case, making the components and the computer case hotter than need be.

 

[Soccerman]

and from a potential for dust creating circuits on it's own.. dust could actually be a problem there, if the voltage is high enough.

I use a vacuum cleaner, and I haven't had any problems yet. however, I am aware of the potential for static..

 

[GuruMogens]

I use a little brush and a vacuum cleaner. I have the vacuum cleaner over my computer in a safe distance, and i use the brush to remove the dust. The dust flyes in the air until it get sucked by the vacuum cleaner, that safe.

 

[medic]

A very cheap and effective alternative to buying cans of air is to go to your auto parts/hardware store and pick up a 5 gallon steel air tank and a coil hose with a blow gun. You can fill them up to 120PSI at the gas station and it's good for quite awhile. Take the case out into the backyard and blow it out. Every 6 months or so I also pop the covers off my stereo equipment and T.V. and blast them clean as well.
Another method to fill them are small 120V air compressors, don't try the 12V ones they bite. (burned out two of them!)

 

[Rogue]

I use a Craftsman Shop Vac with the small attachments also. Never had a problem using it. I have cleaned out several dozen computers like this without incident.

 

[Rigoletto]

CRV I've never seen such a tank at my hardware store. Do you live in Jaques Cousteau's neighbourhood by any chance?

 

[fluxquantum]

CRV, that's a thought. i need to try that instead of wasting money on buying cans all the time. thanks.

 

[medic]

Rigoletto

Up here in the great white North I got it at Canadian Tire which is a huge chain of automotive/hardware type stores. It would most likely be at a auto parts store rather than a hardware store like HomeDepot ect. as people use them to refill car/bike tires.

 

[XeonTux]

Be aware that air compressors can shoot out some water along with the air, especially if the owners of the compressor don't properly drain it out on a daily basis.

 

[BigToque]

On my vacuum, there is a thing on the top that lets me hook up the hose and it will blow air out. I use this all the time to clean out my computer. It's like blowing 10 cans of compressed air at once

Why take 1 minute to clean it out, when you can do it in 5 seconds