Dusty tower!

PussyKatdoll · Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 12:48 pm Post subject: Dusty tower!

Does anyone know how we can clean the tower of our computer on the inside without literally pulling it apart? You can see all the dust on the inside, but it's impossible to get it out, my boyfriend has got the idea into his head that he can take it apart, but I dont want him to do that, as the computer is on Hire Purchase, so while we are paying for it, the shop will fix it for nothing, but if he breaks it I'm pretty sure they'll tell us to bugger off! I dont want to take it back to shop either, as the last time I did that (when it kept overheating and switching itself off) we didnt get it back for 2 weeks, and we still have to pay for the internet. Thinking

stavpal · Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 1:15 pm Post subject:

if you are careful (you need to open it ofcourse) you can gently clean it up. Careful don't stratch or push dirt further in (for example don't get it in the fans..)

PussyKatdoll · Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 3:07 pm Post subject:

it has tiny little screws in it though, and he can't find a screwdriver to fit, any idea where I could get one?

cosmicB · Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 4:34 am Post subject:

Nothing wrong with removing the tower's covers to clean it...
The only bad thing in opening a tower, is to touch transistors with fingers...
If the tower is seriously dusty inside, the fans are in serious trouble...

I use my air compressor to blast the dust out... and a small natural bristle paint brush to loosen stuborn dust, with a piece of wire from the metal on the brush to the ground held under my foot while I work, so as to not hit sensitive transistors with static electricity... Good plan to wear a dust mask...

At TV repair shops they use a vac and a brush...

http://www.computerdust.com/computer-cleaning.html

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial118.html

loverboy · Hello. I am New! Talk to Me Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Posts: 1

hi guys i do this for a living...clean computer towers..keyboards..monitors..computer rooms...for schools..offices...etc....
If ur located in Australia and u want a quote email me at: reviveit@hotmail.com

Sam_oz · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 6:49 am Post subject:

if your machine is under warranty DONT OPEN IT youll possibly void your warranty by doing so

you can buy cans of compressed air from electronic shops, theyre a great way to get rid of the loose stuff, especially if used with a vacuum for some extra suck - if you cant open your machine, just use the compressed air can through the front vents, and the vacuum over the read heat and power supply vents, better than nothing...if you can open your machine, better yet...

long term, keep your PC off the floor, and keep it in as dust free an environment as possible (ie away from ashtrays and pets)

sexy lil blonde · Guest

hoover it out

PussyKatdoll · Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 4:04 pm Post subject:

its ok just now, its been back to the shop twice for repair since we got it, for overheating and cutting out, whether this was cos of the dust I dont know, but I told my boyfriend never to open it cos it's on Hire Purchase, and while we are paying for it they fix it for free, but I told him they wont if he breaks it intentionally! We do keep it off the floor anyway, but I see if I can buy compressed air somewhere, that sounds the best idea for us!

Salsito · Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:07 pm Post subject:

As an IT person I can safely say you can hoover out your PC (Just don't be rough with it) and use a small soft paint brush help. Done this 100s of times without any problems after. Don't bother buying compressors etc.

Sam_oz · Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:58 am Post subject:

i never said anything about a compressor, i said can of compressed air (as in an aerosol can - cheap, and if you cant open the case, theyll get to parts a brush wont)

Salsito · Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 9:19 pm Post subject:

Sam_oz · Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 7:08 am Post subject:

cosmicB · Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2006 5:01 pm Post subject:

You need to determine the reason why there's so much dust getting into the tower.. and to resolve it...

If you sweep near a tower that's on the floor, while it's on.. the fans will pull in a lot of dust... Then the dust gets into the fan bearings, and turns into hard carbon, from the friction and heat.. and slowly seizes up and wears out those bearings, like they are being sandpapered inside... Oiling them helps for a while.. but in a few months those bearings will be squeeling.. and the fans, toast...
Best to keep the tower in a dustfree place, or your PC's will last only a couple years...

Also it's a good plan to always wipe CD's and floppies before inserting them in their drives... Computers need cleanliness.. is why corporations spend a couple hundred grand to make computer rooms dustfree...

cosmicB · Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 2:35 pm Post subject:

Quote: "but seeing she's said the case can't be opened, its going to be very difficult to get a brush in there"

Umm..? Tiny art brushes taped to an unfolded coat-hanger, and a Lot of intense concenration and meticulous patience...

Sam_oz · Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 6:20 am Post subject:

if shes that patient... i just open my case and clean it properly every 3-6 months