Computer Spring Cleaning - How do you go about it?

[dr_roberts49]

Next weekend, I'll be doing my computer spring cleaning. Something I do 3 or 4 times a year. This will be the first time with my new Aspire Super X-Alien tower case. I'm curious about some of the methods my fellow TechIMO members use. Do you blow it out or vac it out? Do you disassemble the entire system? How often do you clean your computer?

Robert

[butch81385]

can o' air and a swiffer for the non electrical parts.... i should do it more often but havent done it since i came up to college in the fall....

[ShawnD1]

I just use an air compressor and blow air into the case from maybe 3 feet back.

[Cook_N]

I use a shop vac and switch the hose to blow works well and cheap.

[custompccases]

Compressed air from Costco. That is when I haven’t wasted all of it freezing stuff .

I normally leave the mobo in. I take out the video card to clean off the fan/heatsink then I take the fan off the cpu and clean the heatsink and fan, or while I am at it I take the heatsink off and replace to goo. I normally take all the fans out and clean their blades as well.

I don't have to clean it that often anymore after I took it off the floor and put it on my desk, stays really clean. I think it gets cleaned every 2 months or so.

[Gutter Ball]

For my comps, compressed air blowing the dust and a high-powered vaccuum cleaner picking most of it up. Wait 15 minutes then do it again. I think I get most of the dust this way and it's not spread around. I'm too lazy to disconnect and then bring it outside where I wouldn't have to vaccuum.

For the parts I've gathered over the years, they just go in boxes and are stacked away in the corner.

[dr_roberts49]

It seems that compressed air is highly used. That's what I do myself. This time around, I think I'll also use a vaccuum, because we bought a really nice one at Christmas. Cleaning the fans is always a challenge. I try to keep my fans stationary while blasting them with compressed air.

I don't know about removing the fan/heatsink and re-doing the thermal grease. I could handle that with my P4. Even though I have the CoolerMaster JetAir 4, which is massive, the locking mechanism makes it pretty easy to do. I think I'll pass on doing it to my daughter's AMD. That was a real challenge Keep the tips coming.

Robert

[Bill in SD, CA]

Originally posted by Cook_N
I use a shop vac and switch the hose to blow works well and cheap.

Me too.

Bill

[VHockey86]

I'm a fan of the compressed air cans. I hesistate to use air compressors or shop vacs b/c of their tendency to condensate and blow moisture. As for removing the componets... I try not to wear out the contacts and risk breaking stuff (especially when removing heatsinks), thus i just leave it all in. If its really dusty I just blow the compressed air and then try to suck it out of the air with the vacuum so it doesnt settle all back in it again. Make sure you dont breathe too much of the dust in... not entirely healthy.

[paul9]

i believe a vac creates more static charge than canned air, but this could be another myth. custompccases, why don't you get a tin of freezer spray from an electronics parts co. such as radio shack? it freezes things much better. keep your fingers clear,
i also use a small paintbrush to get the hairy dustbunnies out of the heatsink, et al.