How To Get Rid Of Dust Inside Computer?

Most of us know that our cars need oil changes, tire rotations and other regular maintenance. We depend on our cars, so we take care of them. Most of us also depend on our computers, but we do not take the same care with them as we do with our cars, maybe because there isn’t an easy hood release on the computer.

But if there was, you would see that dust buildup on the inside components of the computer can cause an early death to your computer through overheating and can even become a fire hazard. So it is advantageous to clean the inside of your computer on a regular basis.

There are a few materials you will need:

• a can of compressed air or small compressor
• anti-static wrist strap
• dust mask
• anti-static cleaning cloth
• natural fiber brush
• cleaning fluid
• keyboard vacuum with a non-metallic nozzle
• small plastic containers to temporarily store the screws

All computers are different, so read the manual that came with your computer for specific cleaning instructions before you start. Make sure the computer is shut down and unplugged and everything is unplugged from the computer even external drives like USB drives. To avoid static electricity, don’t work on a carpeted area.

Now you are ready to remove the outer, or CPU, case by unscrewing it. Be mindful to not take out the part of the case attached to the motherboard. Now is the time to put on the dust mask and the static wrist strap to, again, avoid static electricity charges that can harm the computer. Start with the keyboard vacuum on a low setting and not to close and clean the fans, vents and exterior of the case. Do not use the vacuum on the motherboard or hard drive. Next use the can of compressed air, again at a distance, on the case.

Use short, gentle bursts, just strong enough to blow the dust away and off of the case. Unlike the vacuum you can use the compressed air on the motherboard and hard drive. If you really want to be gentle and more in control than compressed air allows, you can use a syringe with the needle removed or some other kind of medical plunger. To reach the corners, remove the CPU from the case.

The natural fiber brush, natural so as to not create static, can be used to clean the fans, vents, motherboard and hard drive. Now that the surface dust has been taken care of, you can move on to the cleaning fluid, after testing it on a corner of the component to see if it is safe for your computer. Put the solvent on the anti-static clothe for use on the vents and exterior of the case, not the motherboard or hard drive.

You should clean your computer twice a year, and in between cleanings, try to keep it off the floor, install a second fan and keep it in a well ventilated area. Finally, if you think your computer needs serious cleaning, take it to professionals.

 Print This Page