Cans of compressed air just add up to too much over time.
Similar to the following if you don't know what I mean:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001J4ZOAW
Is there like a $10 version of this kind of thing? I don't even know what they're called - an air compressor?
Cheers for any help!
Don't do this. Your breath contains a high level of moisture/humidity, which is not good for computer parts.
This guy ^ …
The moisture/humidity lubricates the computer parts making them transfer electrons more efficiently. Noob…
Hmm breath? here's an industrial pcb (circuit board) washer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMtgFEZvlaQ
Majority of electronic components are sealed and can be washed on a fully assembled board. Theres a few non sealed electronic components that you do not want to get wet like transformers, inductors So you wouldn't want to wash something like a power supply.
(btw - I wouldn't recommend OP doing this.)
Darkage, your fact-based post is refreshing. Of course alarmist wives' tales (like Skanky Chooks) will often attract the bulk of the popular vote, regardless of the actual facts, but ne'er mind.
We can only try.
He said blow on it, not spit on it.
it is a joke post. so much misinformation from spotty kids.
here is a definitive guide to PC's and dust.
1) use filters, whoa!
2) unplug your PC before attempting any maintenance - wow!
3) don't buy cheap trash to begin with that is so sensitive it breaks when u literally breath on it. - amazing!
4) don't use a garden hose/ coke / or operate in a sandpit. - stop the madness!
there you go, my acne-riddled friends. PC maintenance for dummies.
Step 1 take puter to 7/11
Step 2 Use tyre air pump to blow the sh*t out of it. if there's anything left behind, then it deserves to stay there. bonus its free!
and blow a few delicate parts off your mobo too while your at it.
yolo.
I thought yolo had died. You know all the yolo people actually practised what they preach.
if parts come off then they were just holding your mobo back from reaching its full potential anyway
just stand further back
I've been doing this for years now on all my PC's without any issues. Works great and it really gets the dust out.
I don't really know how to respond to these comments…I'm looking for some serious answers, please guys. I mean, I thought it was clear given that I produced an example of what I was looking for…
If you've never done it, you should clear out your PCs with some form of compressed air (I wouldn't breathe on it - liquid and PCs rarely mesh well). You'll notice a big boost in performance.
What's your max budget?
The best long term solution is an air compressor but they start at about $100 for something like this plus an air hose/duster is about $15-$20. Cheaper ones can be a bit stodgy so keep the receipt but stay within the duty cycle and don't abuse the hell out of it they usually last.
+1 for the buying an air compressor. Mine gets regular use from cleaning out pc's and other devices to nail guns and other attachments. My wife has discovered I can use to to clean out the Dyson. Always pumping up kids balls, bikes. $100 well spent. (I think i got one from aldi 5 years ago for about $150)
I saw this on massdrop.
The amazon one doesnt ship to aus, but it did on massdrop, was about $80 +p&s.
You'll notice a big boost in performance.
I think not.
Another fantastic contribution to the thread!
What are you talking about? My CPU temperature dropped 20 degrees after I cleaned mine up. It was covered up with so much dust that it had created a 'blanket' over the cpu fan!! The higher temperature exerts a lot of extra stress on the cpu.
That doesn't slow the CPU down at all, unless the temperature was so high that it was throttling itself (unlikely).
Less heat, less stress on parts. Those dust blankets do cause problems.
@seanmurphy1994: Agreed in most cases, but it does eventually kill your cpu earlier than intended. In my case, throttling is exactly what it was doing! The CPU meter was going off the chart like crazy! Clean out the dust and presto, back to normal cpu core usage levels.
You've never left a computer to accumulate dust enough then.
I've had a graphics card idle at ~90ish Celsius before due to too much dust build up almost completely blocking the air flow. Graphics cards can throttle at high temperatures. In my case, it didn't, so any graphics intensive games pushed the temperature up to about ~97 and then it'd crash.
As already mentioned, this kind of thing also wears out your parts more. In addition, it forces the fans to run at a much higher speed, causing noise. Personally this is always what prompts me to do a cleanup, since performance for me is always a trade off between what specs I can get and what noise I can tolerate.
I think that applies to laptops a lot more than PC by the gist of what people are writing on this post. I am not suggesting that PCs don't get affected by dust, but rather, I think it is almost like a common knowledge for laptop users to clean the dust off the laptop if their laptop is running slow.
Maybe an air mattress foot pump?
Continuous air would be better, but you raise an interesting point with that…
Get the battery version, that goes continuously
Does it blow the air hard enough? With the foot pump you can get a pretty decent burst of air, although it's only a burst. I haven't tried cleaning my computer like this but I might give it a go one day.
What about a hair dryer? Set it on cool air and then use a some duct tape, and a funnel (found in your kitchen drawer) to intensify the airflow to a single spot.
However! This will generate large amounts of static and you will easily kill your computer with it. Make sure you 'ground' it somehow.
That's also why its not a good idea to vacuum your PC too, because the air and debris moving through the plastic nozzles can also generate static.
I use to use the ol' air mattress foot pump. It works very well with the small nozzle. The only issue the amount of effort required. Remember don't spin up the fans too much either, it can damage the bearings.
Might as well go for the 10HP one for only $1200 more
Dust removal, not sandblasting :)
Bah she'll be right, probably be more worried about the computer flying away.
Coincidentally I was in total tools today and was amazed at the size (and price) of those 270L units. Maybe one day I'll be able to afford one…
No doubt. With almost twice the hitpoints, you know it's the boss.
He'll certainly be blowing the computers parts off his dust with that.
I've used a hand held bicycle pump and it worked OK. But the best 'reusable' method i normally use it proper air compressor…. unfortunately it wont be 'cheap'.
A really cheap way is to inflate a balloon with a bicycle or hand pump. Once it's large enough, simply stick a straw in and let the air blow out from it.
Like this idea. Will still have some moisture from atmosphere. Maybe Don't do it on a humid day if you can avoid it.
The computer is already exposed to the same atmosphere :)
I don't really like the idea of blowing high pressure air through a PC, I've heard of people doing it before and damaging things. I personally just use something like this: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&p… for any hard to reach places
put some dust filters on your fans and vacuum your house once in a while. I was amazed at how much dust accumulated in my sister's computer (in her bedroom, cat's in there all the time, never vacuums) versus my room just down the hall (regularly kept clean and vacuumed, used a couple of dust filters but certainly not on every fan). I hardly clean out my computer from dust these days. was probably at least 18 months since I last did it on my main PC (recently opened it to install a new graphics card) and just gave it a quick blow through with the hair dryer on cold setting (full power), and was done.
Most dust filters will only trap larger bits while still allowing fine dust in as well as stifling airflow. The hairdryer suggestion is a good idea however won't be as powerful as a compressor.
yeah, been there done that, depending on filters and how often you change them this just means instead of normal dust/hair bunnies etc you get a fine layer of dust inside pc, keep positive air pressure inside case, negative pressure just sucks everything in
ps get one of those larger camera lens air blower, cheap, has less power but shifts larger amounts of dust
You must have large hands :)
Hmmm, do we need to plug that into a cigar jack? (Genuine question, I am in a market for a compressor for bike and computer)
You can download the manual from the Ozito website.
http://www.ozito.com.au/amc-3000
Looks like it is a 12v DC / 14amp, doesn't seem to have a wall plug.
It seems like that… The manual from the website says that we need to plug it in to the cigar jack. :(
I used to clean computers with handheld blowers (Hitachi 500w cordless), but this thing costs north of $100.
Anything less than $50 for electric blower is not powerful enough or not reliable enough.
How about air grill blower like this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta7cCIq0KXU
What about a pair of bellows?
homemade propane spud gun?
Instructions unclear, computer is now full of potato. How many potatoes should I shoot in before it starts to clear out?
sorry wasn't clear. Dont put the potato in. the combustion will create a pressure of expanding gas that would rush out the other end blowing all the dust away… and maybe your heatsink as well :P
OK here's a similar gag:
During a blizzard in Canada, a mum calls her son in Australia…
Mum: "Son, even our windows is frozen up, nothin' opens, nothin' at all, we're feelin' really isolated…"
Son: "Just boil some water and pour it all around the edges ma, should solve the problem I reckon…"
Mum: "OK… the computer's really rooted now… any other ideas?"
Compressed air from a compressor also contains liquefied moisture due to the pressure.
How do peoples computers get so dirty? Mine is on 24/7 and in terms of dusty being a 1, mine is a stunner 10/10
Living up to your name I see, Mr 'pantsonfire'…
Pics or gtfo.
Sure thing, and my computer is on the floor.
I've used a leaf blower before. Worked well. I borrowed it, so don't know what they cost.
I'd love to know what the 'anti-blowing' chook reckon's about this method…
http://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-2400w-electric-blower-vac-m…
$39, blows, mulches, 2 year replacement warranty. Stick stuff in the fans to stop them spinning up (toothpicks work great) and it's done in under a minute. Has adjustable fan power as well. Enjoy.
Ryobi have a vacuum. For 35 plus a small battery maybe looking around the 80 to 100 dollar mark.
Or
Get one of the 8Lmanual pump pressurised spray bottles for poision spraying.
Pump until your hearts desier or the pressure releif vanvle goes off.
Has a long hose with nozzle and trigger.
Seriously? Just use a vacuum cleaner in blow mode. Every vac I have ever owned allows you to connect the pipe to the outlet rather than the inlet and it cleans computers quick smart! I've done it dozens of times and never had any problems. A word of advice - do it outside - you'd be amazed how much dust that will come out, especially the power supply.
Dupe …
I use a VC every time, on vacuum not blow, no problems - and almost free. Some parts need closer attention though, like the heatsink.
Every vac I have ever owned allows you to connect the pipe to the outlet rather than the inlet and it cleans computers quick smart!
really? which brand do you use? I've never seen this feature
An old electrolux…
Toilet paper is the go here… and don't laugh.
Usually you can take a cover off and there is a grille. Behind the grille is usually the fan that sucks air from outside the box and pushes it through the box.
Put some thin sheets of toilet paper over the grille. What happens is the fan sucks air through the toilet paper but the dust sticks to the toilet paper. This keeps the computer pretty much dust free. Every now and again just replace the paper. It does not stop 100% of dust but you get a lot longer between major cleans.
I have an air compressor that I use when it needs a good job.
As air compressors release a little moisture, it's best to do this outside on a hot day and let the thing evaporate off the small amount of moisture before you turn it on again.
Been doing this for years.
It's also great for wiping… individual fan blades, fold and slide between vanes of coolers etc.
I normally just use vacuum cleaner sucking from a distance for the big stuff, then toilet paper/paper towel and brush.
I purchased a Hinterland Electric Air Pump 240v from Big W for $20, it is used to pump up/deflate air beds. I use it most days at work to blow out computer cases etc. It is a wide hole so the risk of blowing a component off anything is pretty much non existent. Best purchase ever to clean out PCs.
Is there a reason to blowing, instead of sucking the dust out with a vacuum?
I'd rather suck to get rid of the dust, not blow to some corner of the case to build up.
In a vacuum cleaner, dust particles are drawn into the plastic tube and these debris can cause static to build up in the tube. You can easily kill your delicate electronics.
In the case of a compressed-air source, only clean air should be moving against the nozzle.
There is also a temptation to hold the nozzle close to the part being cleaned. A typical domestic vacuum cleaner is a relatively clumsy device. There may therefore be more likelihood of the charged nozzle contacting vulnerable devices.
I see, thanks for the explanation.
I use a Dyson, so I don't need to get too close any ways.
Why not just vaccuum it?
Has there ever been a confirmed case of a vaccuum damaging a PC? Of course don't get too close.
Maybe there's a minute risk, just like an electrical surge. I've just never had an electrical surge damage anything I've own.
Much cleaner than blowing dust everywhere.
dupe
Do not use a vacuum!
There is a reason why people do not use this seemingly obvious method - They can fry the CPU.
I tried this once.
I thought it would be great to use canned air to blow the dust away.
I quickly realised that dust gets thrown in the air.
I thought it would be great to use a vacuum cleaner to suck the dust up.
I was wrong.
I didn't read the label.
I didn't understand that canned air is explosive.
I blew up a vacuum cleaner.
Cheap compressed air is flammable. You've just given a great example of why to always buy the expensive cans.
$2.20
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Cyber-Super-Clean-Magic-Dust-Clea…
$12.50
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Compressed-Air-Duster-Can-Cleaner…
$12.95
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Compressed-Air-Duster-Cleaner-400…
$22.50
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MINI-MICRO-ATTACHMENT-ACCESSORY-V…
i just bought a $200 electric Ryobi compressor very handy.
Keep the machine off floor and carpet.
I used to use a standard household vacuum cleaner which has a outlet where you can connect the hose to use as a blower. It is heaps more economical than using an airduster (compressed air). It does an excellent job, but just remember to do the cleaning outside your house or office. FWIW, vacuuming is fine for surface dust, but it does nothing to get the dust out of a power supply unit or cpu fan assembly. You may need a pointed nozzle for cleaning laptop fans though as the air jet should be more directional. Most people do not realize how much dust sits in their laptop fans and ducts, but a clean could drastically reduce fan speeds (as it will run cooler when clean) and prevent the 'Fan error' death message on some laptops.
I saw camping airpumps at K-Mart a while ago for about $12. I think they took batteries and also had a car adapter. If K-Mart don't have them any more or the prices have gone up, you might try somewhere like DX. Just attach a nozzle with a small hole. An old steaming wand from a broken down coffee machine would probably work well.
I just use my vacuum cleaner
ez
and that's the best answer. I have a Dyson and use a small crevice brush attachment…. perfect clean hardware
I hold the vacuum cleaner nozzle a foot above the opened computer as I flick the dust into the air with a toothbrush. I vacuum the external fan openings with my vacuum brush.
I have always used a clean paintbrush, brush it all to the bottom of the case then do with it what you please…
This. Paintbrush works wonders.
This may sound stupid but I used to dismantle my pc once in a while and hosed it down. Motherboard, gpu the lot of course I would take EVERYTHING apart heatsinks and all. Then left all the parts in the sun to dry for 2 days. However I did replace all the parts every 12 months or so therefore I really didnt care about them lasting for years or anything.
If you want to use a blower, bunnings $99 air compressor nuff said. Its in the use of the device that might break shit not the device itself…
Two things you have to be careful of:
GnarlyKnuckles on 12/02/2015 - 16:37 Comment score below threshold.
