vacuum question

[mushroom3]

does it damage your computer to clean back connector, fan holes, cpu heatsink?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Generally people use compressed air, since if you accidentally blow a part off, it isn't lost to the vacuum bag.

However, if you use the bristled attachment to avoid bumping anything, and you're careful, a vacuum should be just fine.

Welcome to AT :beer:

- M4H

 

[corkyg]

Some times there can be a static electricity problem, but that is easily remedied by using the attachment kits specifically designed for computer use. They are not expensive and come with a variety of small tools and adapters to neck down the vacuum hose. Compressed air is good for some things, but really - all it does is blow the dirt and dust into the air - and when you waolk away, it settles back down. You don't really get rid of it that way - you just move it around - sort of like sweeping under the rug.

Vac Tools

Another good technique is to use something like a Swiffer cloth/tissue and just wipe the dust up. The dust sticks to it and can then be thrown away.

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: corkyg
Some times there can be a static electricity problem, but that is easily remedied by using the attachment kits specifically designed for computer use. They are not expensive and come with a variety of small tools and adapters to neck down the vacuum hose. Compressed air is good for some things, but really - all it does is blow the dirt and dust into the air - and when you waolk away, it settles back down. You don't really get rid of it that way - you just move it around - sort of like sweeping under the rug.

I use a vacumm (forget the brand offhand) specifically made for pcs and sensitive equipment. All plastic parts are actually rubber so no static build up. Comes with all sorts of attachments. Works great and IMO is better than just blowing dust around your pc case just to settle elsewhere.

 

[nova2]

if you're worried enough then attach some rubber or something to the end of the pipe.
problem solved.

 

[sjandrewbsme]

I don't know if rubber is what you want.

I know our airless paint sprayers at my work use a wire for grounding (a wire with a small steel alligator clip on the tip). You want to ground strap to be a conductor and not an insulator.

Personally, I use compressed air. Take the PC in your garage or backyard and blow away.

 

[imported_Imp]

I've used a full power (standard home) vacuum cleaner on my old system for cleaning air holes, fan grills and rear connectors. I've never used it inside the system and would never use one on my current system; one I used it on was 4 years old, slow and pissing me off. So if you've got nothing to lose, go wild on the outside or risk static damage or taking chunks off inside.

 

[grant2]

people vacuum their pcs all the time it's not a big deal, go nuts.

personally i put something in the fans so they don't spin up like crazy and turn into electric generators, which may be bad.

 

[AMCRambler]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Generally people use compressed air, since if you accidentally blow a part off, it isn't lost to the vacuum bag.

However, if you use the bristled attachment to avoid bumping anything, and you're careful, a vacuum should be just fine.

Welcome to AT :beer:

- M4H

I usually take mine out on the front stoop with the sides off and hit it with the compressed air. That way most of the crap stays outside.

 

[Jiggz]

I vacuum them everytime and so far haven't had any problem.

 

[fluffmonster]

I use both compressed air and the vacuum...the compressed air to get the dust off the equipment, and the vacuum in the direction of travel as best I can manage to suck up the now-airborne dust. Use the vacuum directly on the case grills.

 

[imported_Nacelle]

I use a vacuum on the heatsink and psu all the time.

 

[boomerang]

The really nasty ones (handfuls of pet hair) get the vacuum before the compressed air. Never worried about static for the past 10 years.

 

[Rubycon]

If the humidity is low compressed air can build up static.

They actually have dust guns with a polonium chamber that generates ions to neutralize any charge in the air stream. I have one I can take a pic of.

 

[SonicIce]

I'm not really into compressed air because for one it just moves the dust around and two, you can end up forcing air into the fan bearing and ruining it. happened to my 6600gt and had to send it back because it got really loud and vibrated. then i stopped using compressed air.

 

[mushroom3]

thanks for replies, as long as you don't touch stuff like mobo you shouldnt damage anything right?

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: SonicIce
I'm not really into compressed air because for one it just moves the dust around and two, you can end up forcing air into the fan bearing and ruining it. happened to my 6600gt and had to send it back because it got really loud and vibrated. then i stopped using compressed air.

That happened because you allowed the air to overspeed the fan damaging its bearings. Using a strobotach, I was able to measure the speed of a fan going over 30,000 rpm from compressed air. It sounded like a die grinder. The fan was killed in the process. If you use compressed air either lock the blades with something to prevent this from happening or try to avoid directing the stream directly into the fan. If it's screaming like a dental drill it's probably too late.

 

[lenjack]

That's the same Polonium that killed the Russian spy...Don't eat the device. Modern dental drills don't scream if properly maintained.

I vaccumed my comp today with a houshold unit. Did the board as well. No problems.

 

[Sforsyth]

I used to use the vacum all the time just be carefull, my pc is so dirty right now to lazy to clean it.

 

[StopSign]

I used a vacuum once and it worked fine.