"Computer Vacums" ???

pliang

So I decided to check and see if my machine's been plagued with lint since last time it was a little uneasy with the fan temperature...

Anyone used a specific vacuum before on their machine or just use a cannister to blow it?

I usually go to A-Power or NCIX for parts but not sure if they have "vacuums"...

I never opened a case myself before so I don't wanna get too far ahead of this.


Appreciate the help in advance...

leilei

Cans of compressed air rule
but when in doubt use a big air compressor to blow it off
I wouldn't want to suck parts

Tulkamir

Yep, canned air is the way to go. That stuff kicks ass.

Air compressors are great too, but if you do use one make sure to keep the air pressure low enough that you won't break anything.

Justin Meisse

used this in on of my old computer repair jobs, it worked great

pliang

I already have a can of compresses air...I'll stick with that for the time being...

Thanks for the link though...

RustyFranks

take the case outside before you do it.... i wasn't thinking once and made a big mess on the kitchen table

Target_Renegade

I used a normal vacuum cleaner for the CPU heatsink and it worked fine, even with the CPU fan on. Got the temp. down by 10c.

Rob Galanakis

Using a vacuum can destroy you computer from the static, it is very highly discouraged, AFAIK. Just used compressed air and blow it all away.

Jonathan

If you do use a compressor, realize a lot of time if the compressor isn't maintained well, you may get some water mixed in with the air. :P

pliang

Yeah also I need to open the case at ground level with rubber so I wouldn't toast the CPU with static..

Fragile junk.

Nate Broach

I used a leaf blower on mine outside. I don't really recommend that, but everything still worked afterwards and took like 5 seconds.

Justin Meisse

pliang wrote: »

Yeah also I need to open the case at ground level with rubber so I wouldn't toast the CPU with static..

Fragile junk.

Lulz, they aren't that fragile, I've scrubbed a motherboard off with baking soda + water after a CMOS battery leaked all over the place. After that I just snipped the battery off, soldered in a removable one, let it dry overnight and voila = working computer

CheeseOnToast

When you're blowing the fans clear, stick a pencil or something in there to stop them turning and generating an arseload of static. Got that one from our tech support guy.

notman

Justin_Meisse wrote: »

Lulz, they aren't that fragile, I've scrubbed a motherboard off with baking soda + water after a CMOS battery leaked all over the place. After that I just snipped the battery off, soldered in a removable one, let it dry overnight and voila = working computer

I've got one better for you They had brake fluid explode all over a Dell here at work. Everything inside was smothered in brake fluid. We took the thing to our spray booth, sprayed the crap out of it with alchohal and other electronic safe cleaners, and then sat it in a temperature/humidity chamber for a while to evaporate the moisture. Put it back together and it ran great

Justin Meisse

CheeseOnToast wrote: »

When you're blowing the fans clear, stick a pencil or something in there to stop them turning and generating an arseload of static. Got that one from our tech support guy.

Woah, never thought of that, spinning an electric motor does turn it into a generator, I need to test this when I get home!

notman

yeah, but it generates back to it's source, which isn't the CPU So I don't really get the static connection... but I guess it can't hurt.

[MILES]

CheeseOnToast wrote: »

When you're blowing the fans clear, stick a pencil or something in there to stop them turning and generating an arseload of static. Got that one from our tech support guy.

I'd never heard the one about static...but I typically hold the fan still because the velocity of the air coming out of that can cranks the fan up to speeds faster than it might typically spin inside your case. If you blow the fan in the reverse direction it was intended, you could mess up the bearings as well.