Vacuuming Inside Computer?

[corkyg]

Swiffer dusting sheets are very useful in this area. They can be used to simply wipe up dust in cases and on components. And, if you tape them to air intake slots, they act as filters without impeding airflow.

 

[Matt1970]

I simply take my dirty machines to the garage and use air from my compressor to blow them out. I do use a small screwdriver to keep the fan blades from spinning. Lo and behold, I have yet to encounter a problem as a result of such cleanings.

It never occurred to me to fill a two page thread with that info.

And starting a 3rd.....

 

[Virgorising]

There should be both.

A vacuum that is not in any contact with any components and a good distance away to still be able to suck up particulates AND a compressed air blower to blow caked dust to free it from the stuck surfaces to be airborne to be sucked by the vacuum.

Over time, the fans push and compress dust to the nooks and crannies of the computer case, surfaces of the board, etc. To remove it, you need to have something to dislodge the accumulative pressed material. Consumer vacuums only have so much force, and it was not designed to remove materials that are stuck to an almost glue like state.

The best mitigation, is to implement intake filters and regularly replace or clean them ALONG with a blowing and vacuuming of the inside of the case. The reason why most fans stop working over time, in my opinion, is the combined dust that accumulates thus the fan needs to work harder, eventually giving due to working with the imbalance of stuck dust on the blades, bearings, and congestion.

That or watercool everything, sealing the electronic components from the outside, and thus only needing to clean the dissipating radiator and fans.

Grounding the components and cleaning while the computer is off is a must.

Above: an important, thorough contribution, I think, very smart in this IMPORTANT SUBJECT. Only thing, I do not really have the means to implement the strategy.

 

[Virgorising]

Swiffer dusting sheets are very useful in this area. They can be used to simply wipe up dust in cases and on components. And, if you tape them to air intake slots, they act as filters without impeding airflow.

Interesting. But, do they leave some residue? I have always felt the products that company makes are just calculated to take money ongoing from people who are too lazy to clean things old school.... re needing to buy infinite refills, etc.

 

[corkyg]

Interesting. But, do they leave some residue?

I have not found that to be a problem.

 

[bononos]

Interesting. But, do they leave some residue? I have always felt the products that company makes are just calculated to take money ongoing from people who are too lazy to clean things old school.... re needing to buy infinite refills, etc.

Just duct tape brillo pads if you want a washable alternative.

 

[corkyg]

I have no problem with that.