How do you guys clean your computers?

DaFunkyUnit · 10-15-2003, 12:15 PM

Not like defragging or reformatting, but physically clean them.

Like how do you clean all the crap that gets accrued on the fans, and the layer of dust that collects on the back side of the video card (or any other card). Then theres the dust that somehow gets in between the moving parts of the cd drives (like in between the tray and drive itself). And what about the comp's back panel? After a while, the shiny sheet aluminum gets dull and groty looking. How do you get the shine back?

Tips and tricks are welcome!

Airencracken · 10-15-2003, 12:16 PM

Wait, I'm supposed to clean it? Cleaning is a girl thing. No thanks.

J/K. Um, I usually just use that canned air stuff, it seems to work pretty well. As for shine, I dunno try microfiber if it isn't a static sensitive area.

Jeffbx · 10-15-2003, 01:25 PM

Yeah, just take it outside & hose it down now and then.

Or, for that really deep clean, take the side panels off & stick the whole thing in the dishwasher. It'll sparkle!

Jihforce · 10-15-2003, 02:40 PM

Vaccum cleaner.

make sure you don't have any lose parts.

mcs328 · 10-15-2003, 02:52 PM

I use a qtip and rubbing alcohol (isopropyl?) to clean surfaces and the dust on the fans.. I use canned air for the dust rhinos. Yeah...how do get the crap that gets on the back of video cards?

GilbertsGrape · 10-15-2003, 02:53 PM

compressed air,

one of my PC's started to look really dingy so i covered it in contact paper :-) instant wood grain case Mod.

i have actualy washed a keyboard in my bath tub before and let it dry real well.

for keyboards also you can turn them upside down and tap tehm and all the crud will come out of them.

attgig · 10-15-2003, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mcs328
how do get the crap that gets on the back of video cards?

don't let your dog crap on your computer

spigidygak · 10-15-2003, 03:15 PM

I have nija give it a blow job once in a while. Otherwise I like the rinse cycle in my dishwasher.

Canned air and a nija (vacuum) work the best for me.

DaFunkyUnit · 10-15-2003, 03:55 PM

umm... oh-kay...

i'm surprised no one suggested hot wax

Bires · 10-15-2003, 04:44 PM

I got my grubby paws on an airbrush pump. (you know...for painting) It's a great alternative to the canned air-it doesn't get cold and it doesn't run out.

Check out garage sales and thrift shops.

billxp · 10-15-2003, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jeffbx
Yeah, just take it outside & hose it down now and then.
It'll sparkle!

I've actually had to do that to a friends case after I stripped it out. His wife smokes and damn I hate to see what her lungs look like after seeing the inside of the case. I actually ending up using whitewall cleaner on the whole case. Dried with compressed air then reassembled. System is still running

Bires · 10-15-2003, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by billxp

I've actually had to do that to a friends case after I stripped it out. His wife smokes and damn I hate to see what her lungs look like after seeing the inside of the case. I actually ending up using whitewall cleaner on the whole case. Dried with compressed air then reassembled. System is still running

Most of us that have worked inhouse tech support have similar stories. Mine is an old AMD 200 Compaq from 99-was *FILLED* with charred dust, with a small non-dust conduit from the side vent to the power supply.

Skeptical · 10-15-2003, 08:34 PM

use a can of compressed air and spray away.

cheapie · 10-15-2003, 09:53 PM

i'm suprised obby hasn't posted here yet

bachviet · 10-15-2003, 09:58 PM

Wipe with anti-static dusting spray and dust with air can.

ACE · 10-15-2003, 10:01 PM

I use my 30 gallon 5.5 hp compressor in the garage... 90psi works like a charm. No $4 cans of compressed air for me,,No Sir..

ps. It blows anything off of anything,,,even the schmutz on the back of your vidcard.

DaFunkyUnit · 10-16-2003, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bachviet
Wipe with anti-static dusting spray and dust with air can.

Anti-static dusting spray? where can I get that? How is it anti-static?

djradam · 10-16-2003, 12:38 PM

i just buy new components. it's much easier. i throw the dirty ones away.

GrimSpyder · 10-16-2003, 02:44 PM

What do you think of electrical contact cleaner? It doesnt leave a residue it evaporates and it was made for electrical components, Spray some compressed air in there, then follow it up with some that electrical contact cleaner, and your case should look like new. Well at least in theory i havent tried it, Why dont you try it out and if your computer doesnt blow up, Let me know

10-15-2003, 12:15 PM	#1
DaFunkyUnit Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: the peanut gallery Posts: 3,909	How do you guys clean your computers? Not like defragging or reformatting, but physically clean them. Like how do you clean all the crap that gets accrued on the fans, and the layer of dust that collects on the back side of the video card (or any other card). Then theres the dust that somehow gets in between the moving parts of the cd drives (like in between the tray and drive itself). And what about the comp's back panel? After a while, the shiny sheet aluminum gets dull and groty looking. How do you get the shine back? Tips and tricks are welcome!

10-15-2003, 12:16 PM	#2
Airencracken Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: California Posts: 6,681	Wait, I'm supposed to clean it? Cleaning is a girl thing. No thanks. J/K. Um, I usually just use that canned air stuff, it seems to work pretty well. As for shine, I dunno try microfiber if it isn't a static sensitive area. __________________ "I remember my first orgasm, I just wish someone was there to share it with me..."11-05-2003 05:33 AM - Topane They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, & the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opiate of the masses. - Karl Marx Hell is other people - Jean-Paul Sartre

10-15-2003, 02:40 PM	#4
Jihforce Vice Admiral Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 4,352	Vaccum cleaner. make sure you don't have any lose parts. __________________ Auto Leasing Info @ RIDEwithG.com \| My Food & Travel Blog

10-15-2003, 02:52 PM	#5
mcs328 Admiral Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Maryland Posts: 6,578	I use a qtip and rubbing alcohol (isopropyl?) to clean surfaces and the dust on the fans.. I use canned air for the dust rhinos. Yeah...how do get the crap that gets on the back of video cards? __________________

10-15-2003, 03:15 PM	#8
spigidygak Admiral Join Date: May 2000 Location: Redlands & San Diego, CA. Posts: 5,882	I have nija give it a blow job once in a while. Otherwise I like the rinse cycle in my dishwasher. Canned air and a nija (vacuum) work the best for me. __________________

10-15-2003, 01:25 PM	#3
Jeffbx Fleet Admiral Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Michigan Posts: 9,390	Yeah, just take it outside & hose it down now and then. Or, for that really deep clean, take the side panels off & stick the whole thing in the dishwasher. It'll sparkle!

10-15-2003, 02:53 PM	#6
GilbertsGrape Captain Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: You can’t get there from here, USA Posts: 1,797	compressed air, one of my PC's started to look really dingy so i covered it in contact paper :-) instant wood grain case Mod. i have actualy washed a keyboard in my bath tub before and let it dry real well. for keyboards also you can turn them upside down and tap tehm and all the crud will come out of them.

10-15-2003, 03:55 PM	#9
DaFunkyUnit Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: the peanut gallery Posts: 3,909	umm... oh-kay... i'm surprised no one suggested hot wax

10-15-2003, 04:44 PM	#10
Bires Admiral Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 5,064	I got my grubby paws on an airbrush pump. (you know...for painting) It's a great alternative to the canned air-it doesn't get cold and it doesn't run out. Check out garage sales and thrift shops. __________________ Five years...

10-15-2003, 08:34 PM	#13
Skeptical Lieutenant Junior Grade Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: I'm in a foreign land far far away... Posts: 90	use a can of compressed air and spray away.

10-15-2003, 09:53 PM	#14
cheapie Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: raising my pimp hand strong Posts: 13,038	i'm suprised obby hasn't posted here yet __________________ 70% of the world is covered by water. The rest is covered by Bob Sanders

10-15-2003, 09:58 PM	#15
bachviet What's Da Pho*? Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SoCal (714) Posts: 13,296	Wipe with anti-static dusting spray and dust with air can. __________________ Dell Dimension 9200 \| Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (2.4GHz) \| 4x1GB DDR2 \| 256MB nVidia GeForce 8800GT Dell Studio 17 \| Intel Core i7-720QM (1.6GHz) \| 2x2GB DDR3 1066MHz \| 1GHz ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 Intel P4-C 3.0GHz \| ECS 865PE-A \| 3x512MB PC3200 \| 128MB PNY GeForce 6600GT

10-15-2003, 10:01 PM	#16
ACE Lieutenant Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 406	I use my 30 gallon 5.5 hp compressor in the garage... 90psi works like a charm. No $4 cans of compressed air for me,,No Sir.. ps. It blows anything off of anything,,,even the schmutz on the back of your vidcard.

10-16-2003, 12:38 PM	#18
djradam Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: metro detroit, mi Posts: 930	i just buy new components. it's much easier. i throw the dirty ones away.

10-16-2003, 02:44 PM	#19
GrimSpyder Ensign Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 11	What do you think of electrical contact cleaner? It doesnt leave a residue it evaporates and it was made for electrical components, Spray some compressed air in there, then follow it up with some that electrical contact cleaner, and your case should look like new. Well at least in theory i havent tried it, Why dont you try it out and if your computer doesnt blow up, Let me know

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