Best way to Clean A PC? (Physically)

[MrLonely]

Greetings.

What is the best way to clean the inside of a PC?
Vacuums--including mini and battery-powered ones (am I correct?)---create ESD.
Compressed air moves the dust to even harder-to-reach places and is not generally safe because of the liquid that can come out.
Air compressor: "any one who has used an air compressor KNOWS there can be a great deal of water in the system . All the humidity of the air passing through tends to collect ."
Is that really true? And I'd really appreciate it if someone would clear it up a bit, as I've never personally used an air compressor.
The Giotto Rocket is just not powerful enough (I never used one, but I read).

So?

Plus, I got another question about static: does an object need direct contact to the component to harm it? And are all components static-sensitive?

I almost got my head blown and I REALLY don't wanna harm this PC.

Definitely feel free to answer.

Thanks in advance.

 

[MadAdmiral]

Static will kill a PC. Pretty much all components are static-sensitive, or at least all of the ones that really matter.

 

[MrLonely]

Ahm. I got that. Thanks.

 

[jonpaul37]

I usually take the following out of the case and then go at it with a damp cloth & compressed air (where necessary)

open case
remove video card & any other PCI cards that i have installed
unplug all the wires from ALL devices
remove the hard drives & DVD/CD drives
remove the motherboard
this leaves only the PSU in the case
use the compressed air to get any loose dust out
use the damp cloth to remove any built-up dust from the case or fans or any components that you pulled out of the machine
use the compressed air to give a final dusting

*** I usually re-apply thermal compound to the heatsink/fan at this time but it is optional)***

install the motherboard back in
put the DVD/CD droves back in
plug in all the necessary plugs (try to be as neat as possible here)
put the PCI devices back into place
double check all the connections
put case back together

i usually do this once every 9 months

have a nice day

 

[Onus]

I usually take my PC outside and use a can of pressurized gas. I use short bursts. These are intended for use on electronics, and any liquid that gets out should not cause any damage.

 

[MrLonely]

I usually take the following out of the case and then go at it with a damp cloth & compressed air (where necessary)

open case
remove video card & any other PCI cards that i have installed
unplug all the wires from ALL devices
remove the hard drives & DVD/CD drives
remove the motherboard
this leaves only the PSU in the case
use the compressed air to get any loose dust out
use the damp cloth to remove any built-up dust from the case or fans or any components that you pulled out of the machine
use the compressed air to give a final dusting

*** I usually re-apply thermal compound to the heatsink/fan at this time but it is optional)***

install the motherboard back in
put the DVD/CD droves back in
plug in all the necessary plugs (try to be as neat as possible here)
put the PCI devices back into place
double check all the connections
put case back together

i usually do this once every 9 months

have a nice day

I know this might sound desperate, but I really I don't have the experience to do that.

I should do it every 5 months...

Thanks a lot for your useful reply, jon. Probably the best way to do it.

I think I'll get an air compressor. I know it has the some problem The CA has but I don't have a choice. I need some info (specifications and all that), as I've never bought an AC and I don't know anything about them.

Have a great day.

 

[MrLonely]

I usually take my PC outside and use a can of pressurized gas. I use short bursts. These are intended for use on electronics, and any liquid that gets out should not cause any damage.

I read and heard different opinions on the liquid. Some say it damages, some don't. I'm still unsure.

They are intended for use on electronics but not for people's mistakes.

Thanks for your reply.

 

[Proximon]

No, listen to jtt.

Cans of compressed air are the best solution. Dry air moving through a hose can also create static.

You can eliminate most dust with a can of air, but you might want to clean fan blades with a Q-tip or such.

 

[MrLonely]

I usually take my PC outside and use a can of pressurized gas. I use short bursts. These are intended for use on electronics, and any liquid that gets out should not cause any damage.

I read and heard different opinions on the liquid. Some say it damages, some don't. I'm still unsure.

They are intended for use on electronics but not for people's mistakes.

Thanks for your reply.

 

[Wolfshadw]

I've always just used a can of compressed air. Remember:

Move the component you're cleaning, not the can of air.
Fans should be prevented from spinning freely.
Never hold the can of air upside down.

-Wolf sends

 

[MrLonely]

No, listen to jtt.

Cans of compressed air are the best solution. Dry air moving through a hose can also create static.

You can eliminate most dust with a can of air, but you might want to clean fan blades with a Q-tip or such.

Surprising.

If that's the case, then CA is probably the best. I'll still wait for more opinions, though.

Thanks, Prox.

 

[Proximon]

If you have a Costco available, it's the best option. Single cans of air at places like Staples went up in price many years ago, because of teen abuse.