[SOLVED] Cleaning

Hi everyone,

Easy question. My computer is 3 years old. I clean the keyboard and the monitor screen on a regular bases. My question is, How difficult is cleaning the inside of the tower? Being somewhat new to computing I want to make sure that I do not mess anything up.
Please let know what and what NOT to do..........

Thanks Danboy

 

The first thing you have to do when cleaning the inside of your computer is to unplug it. This is extremely important to help prevent shocking yourself or your computer. You should also ground yourself using one of those grounds that you wear on your wrist. You should be able to get one from your local Radio Shack. After you have unplugged it, you can take the case off. After taking the case off, look for any dust that may have accumulated inside your computer. Then, take a can of compressed air and gently blow all of the dust away (If you don't have access to a can of compressed air, you can use your own wind, but you have the chance of getting spit all over and that won't be to pretty!). [IMPORTANT NOTE: There are many who say you should not use compressed air because of the risk of blowing components loose or shocking something with static electricity. If you have any questions on this, you should consult your computer manuals or your computer manufacturer's tech support.] Pay attention to vent holes and fan coverings as any blockage here can keep your computer from cooling as it is intended to. Once you have cleaned out the inside of the computer, put the case back on and screw in the screws.

 

Danboy
Here is a site that tells how to clean most componants of your system properly.
http://www.learn2.com/05/0554/0554.asp
Dave

PS: I see Lisa gave you all the scoop!

 

Thanks for the info you 2. I will give it a try Monday.


Thanks Danboy

 

You're welcome and 'happy cleaning'

 

I get a lot of news papers and spread them out on the carpet 6 pages thick so I am not moving the tower on the carpet. So if you work on the carpet do that or use a piece of plywood. Keep the compressed air up right also.

 

"There are many who say you should not use compressed air because of the risk of blowing components loose"

IMHO

I think that if compressed air knocks a component off then it was loose and needed reseating anyway!

 

For what its worth ...

If you haven't cleaned your computer recently, you might even consider doing it outside on a nice day - and blowing the dust down-wind. I took mine out on the deck before i even took off the cover - but then again, i hadn't opened the case in 2-3 years. Wow, that's a lot of dust.

Tommy

 

Also you might try vacuuming some of your components out before you blow them away... that way you can still retrieve them from the bag and then blow the dust off of them

If your 'puter is on the floor and you have pets inside you will likely find hair in there, too. (yuk) that's why I say vacuum, then blow what the vacuum can't get. One of those small battery powered vacuums like you'd use in your car ( that comes with the crevice tool), not the big Hoover!

 

Hi Everyone,

Sorry it took so long to get back. Yesterday I unhooked the tower and took it to the workbench in the garage. Took the two sides off and found quite a bit of dust. My can of air ran out so I turn on the air compressor and finished blowing it out. I didn't let the pressure get to high and was very careful. Brought it back in, hooked it back up and it works fine............


Thanks Danboy

 

Glad to hear it, Danboy.

Always good to hear a good clean reply in a forum!