Cleaning computer fans, etc

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  • George Bellefontaine
    Moderator Emeritus
    • Jan 2001
    • 7637

    Cleaning computer fans, etc

    The fella that used to clean my computer twice a year has left the area. I've watched him doing it once and think I know what to clean, using one of those compressed air cans. Any suggestion on what I should or shouldn't aim that can at ?

    Thanks from a computer challenged member.
    My Homepage!
  • Kevin P
    Member
    • Aug 2000
    • 10809

    #2
    Just keep the can upright so the stuff doesn't come out in liquid form.

    Be careful around the motherboard and chips, due to static electricity.

    Concentrate on places where there's a lot of dust--fans, CPU heatsink, power supply vents.

    Make sure not to over-rev the fans by blowing air on the blades. Hold the hub of the fan with your fingers if necessary to keep it from spinning.

    When you're finished, power up the machine with the covers off and check for failed or noisy fans. Replace any that are dying.

    I tend to use the vacuum cleaner on my systems, as I don't let them get too caked with dust. When I work on other people's PCs that are really gunked up, I'll take it outside and sick my air compressor on it.

    Comment

    • George Bellefontaine
      Moderator Emeritus
      • Jan 2001
      • 7637

      #3
      That's very helpful. Thanks, Kevin. Once I clean it good with compressed air, I'll do what you do and clean it frequently using my hand vac.
      My Homepage!

      Comment

      • 1oldguy
        Senior Member
        • Dec 2008
        • 459

        #4
        All this talk of Clean pc's made me realize mine needed some attention.Just put the hair dryer to mine.They sure do get dusty.
        A Man should never Gamble more than he can stand to loose.

        Comment

        • Chris D
          Moderator Emeritus
          • Dec 2000
          • 16877

          #5
          Another Newfie here! Wow, they're suddenly popping up all over the place! :T
          CHRIS

          Well, we're safe for now. Thank goodness we're in a bowling alley.
          - Pleasantville

          Comment

          • 1oldguy
            Senior Member
            • Dec 2008
            • 459

            #6
            LOl ...Well now And I thought I was the only one......:}
            A Man should never Gamble more than he can stand to loose.

            Comment

            • PewterTA
              Moderator
              • Nov 2004
              • 2901

              #7
              If you can, taking a pair of panty-hose and cut them out. Stretch and cover the fans or where it sucks in air then secure it with a little hot glue, makes a huge difference. I put it on all my fans and I only have to clean out the PC about once every 2 years and there's not much on it, just keep the "screens" clean.

              I prefer black hose if you're going to do it so you don't really see it as much.


              It came out lighter in the picture, but it's almost as black as the case itself and you can see where I didn't glue it and it's pulling back from moving to the new house. All I have to do is loosen the fan and stretch it back out.
              Attached Files
              Digital Audio makes me Happy.
              -Dan

              Comment

              • audioqueso
                Super Senior Member
                • Nov 2004
                • 1930

                #8
                I use to put a sheet of fabric softener on the intake fans. That helped a lot back when I had a tower pc. All you had to do was replace the fabric softener sheet.

                My place collects a lot of dust. And my HTPC has no intake fan. I seem to have to clean my HTPC once a week. I barely get so much dust on the exhaust fans, but instead on the intake holes. I don't even have an intake fan. Just 3 120mm exhaust fans. Yet the intake holes suck up all that dust.
                B&W 804S/Velodyne SPL-1000R/Anthem MRX720

                Comment

                • 1oldguy
                  Senior Member
                  • Dec 2008
                  • 459

                  #9
                  Originally posted by PewterTA
                  If you can, taking a pair of panty-hose and cut them out. Stretch and cover the fans or where it sucks in air then secure it with a little hot glue, makes a huge difference. I put it on all my fans and I only have to clean out the PC about once every 2 years and there's not much on it, just keep the "screens" clean.

                  I prefer black hose if you're going to do it so you don't really see it as much.


                  It came out lighter in the picture, but it's almost as black as the case itself and you can see where I didn't glue it and it's pulling back from moving to the new house. All I have to do is loosen the fan and stretch it back out.

                  I see you have a leg up on the competition :T
                  Now that really is a kinky idea. ;x( :B
                  A Man should never Gamble more than he can stand to loose.

                  Comment

                  • George Bellefontaine
                    Moderator Emeritus
                    • Jan 2001
                    • 7637

                    #10
                    Well I just finished cleaning the little bugger and all is well. Running quiet as a church mouse.
                    My Homepage!

                    Comment

                    • 1oldguy
                      Senior Member
                      • Dec 2008
                      • 459

                      #11
                      Hi George, the strangest thing happened to mine after I dusted it.My USB for my mouse was failing and had to unplug and plug it back in often.It has become ever more stable since.Which is great since I need a boat load of gear as it is.
                      A Man should never Gamble more than he can stand to loose.

                      Comment

                      • Kevin P
                        Member
                        • Aug 2000
                        • 10809

                        #12
                        Originally posted by 1oldguy
                        Hi George, the strangest thing happened to mine after I dusted it.My USB for my mouse was failing and had to unplug and plug it back in often.It has become ever more stable since.Which is great since I need a boat load of gear as it is.
                        Dust in the USB ports can cause this. Or, for front panel USBs, the connection to the motherboard needed to be jiggled to get better contact.

                        Comment

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