clean-up, literally

[Andrea]

Masterblaster, this may sound trivial, but when I was reading through the "cleaning after a long break" I was also thinking of the endusting.

I used to take the computer in for that, because I usually had it on an extended service plan, and I am always reluctant to unscrew screws if it says it will void a warranty. Well, I'm on my own now, so to speak, no breaking warranty worries thus, and I need to get that dust out of the case.

Now, what's OK to do, what should one definitely do first, other than the backing up and unplugging part. Or should one just use an "endust" can and blow air to blow out the dust without opening.

gong xi fa cai
Andrea

[Admin]

Hi Andrea,

There are products out there that can do the dusting for you, one of them is from 3M called Dust Remover, it's actually an aerosol can filled with compress air, thats what we use here in SAS.

Before you do any touching inside the computer, unplug it from the power socket.
Try NOT to take out anything inside the computer unless you REALLY know what you are doing.
Do not use a damp cloth in the computer for ANYTHING. A dry anti static cloth will be fine if you just want to get rid of some dust bunnies.

Since we are in a humid environment we dont necessarily need an anti static band on our wrist but it's good if you can get one so you wont damage any chips if you accidentally touch any.

A small car vacumm will also suffice with the brush end attached. thats what I usually use on mine.
And ALWAYS be gentle.

If you do want to experiment, then you can take out the RAM, the VGA Card if you have a VGA Card and any PCI device and clean the metal connectors if they are getting oxidised.

Then you can take out your CPU heat sink and put new heat sink paste between your CPU and your heat sink fan.

Cheers
Faizul