Cleaning your PC

LikuLiku I, am the Somberlain. Join Date: 2003-01-10 Member: 12128Members
<div class="IPBDescription">How often do you do it?</div>How often should I be cleaning out the inside of the case for dust? My root collects dust pretty quickly, so I vacuum every 3 days or so and suck out all the dust from the ventilation slots of my computer. But I haven't clenaed the inside for sometime, and it's probably a horror show. What methods do you guys use?

Another, PC related question: I'm in (Photoshop) class right now and we're on break, my friend next to me can play music through his computer. The thing is, none of the computers have speakers and it's blasting out of the case of the computer. I can't play music and all the volume controls are maxed, and I've tried several computers. What's inside that's acting like a speaker?

Comments

  • enf0rcerenf0rcer intrigued... Join Date: 2003-03-16 Member: 14584Members
    definately clean the inside - methods? Inhale air deeply, close eyes, exhale hard (normally with lips pursed)

    sound? computer? on-board speaker? There isn't anything on a computer that "acts" like a speaker unless it is one. Does he have a unique case or motherboard?

    more to the point - do you really care that much or are you just bored in your break <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
  • TheSaviorTheSavior Join Date: 2003-10-14 Member: 21688Members
    I use a portable 3-gallon 120psi air-compressor toned down to 40psi to blow my case out. Saves me a headache from blowing too hard.
  • LikuLiku I, am the Somberlain. Join Date: 2003-01-10 Member: 12128Members
    edited April 2007
    <!--quoteo(post=1619921:date=Apr 9 2007, 07:47 PM:name=enf0rcer)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(enf0rcer @ Apr 9 2007, 07:47 PM) [snapback]1619921[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    sound? computer? on-board speaker? There isn't anything on a computer that "acts" like a speaker unless it is one. Does he have a unique case or motherboard?

    more to the point - do you really care that much or are you just bored in your break <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Care about what? The cleaning or the speaker issue? Well the cleaning yeah, and the speaker's just confusing the sh*t out of me because every computer in this room is exactly the same but his is the only one with the internal speaker.
  • TalesinTalesin Our own little well of hate Join Date: 2002-11-08 Member: 7710NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators
    Twice monthly, with canned/compressed air. Never use a vacuum, as it has the potential to suck up jumpers, especially on older motherboards that still use them for clockspeed control, and screw over your system. They can still suck out the jumpers from your hard/optical drives.

    Remember, dust is conductive. Not only does it have a potential for a short-circuit (potentially destroying your system), it can also start an electrical fire (definitely destroying your system).

    Personally, I have three intake fans and one exhaust fan (Plus my PSU exhaust fan). All three are covered with foam filtration screens, and higher-pressure air is less likely to deposit the dust inside your case.. it'll more likely carry it out as it exits.


    As for the speaker thing, sometimes computers have a 'PC Speaker' on the mixer.. it's normally hidden. You can make it show up in the options for the mixer though. Just set the 'PC Speaker' device to be your primary audio-out device, and boom. Music through the built in case speaker (if so equipped).
  • GreyFlcnGreyFlcn Join Date: 2006-12-19 Member: 59134Members, Constellation
    Pretty much whenever it breaks... which is usually about a year or so.
    When I do clean it, I use canned compressed air.

    _

    Heh my problem is fixing my fan issue is that my CPU fan is too loud.

    I have a heatsink videocard, and my 80mm CPU fan is running high at 6000rpm
    (Casefan and CPU fan only at around 2000rpm)

    Not quite sure what do do about this one.
  • LikuLiku I, am the Somberlain. Join Date: 2003-01-10 Member: 12128Members
    Oh wow, luckily I have some compressed air, but I don't have the straw for it. I guess I'll scrap the vacuum idea.

    How could I set the PC speaker as the primary device?
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    You can make your own fan filters out of those Swiffer pads they sell for those broom things. Just cut it to the size you need.
  • TalesinTalesin Our own little well of hate Join Date: 2002-11-08 Member: 7710NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators
    Greyflcn, they sell fan speed controllers. Essentially it's just a potentiometer with 4-DIN power plugs on each side, that you put in-line between the PSU and fan. You just turn the pot to slow the fan down, to make it run quieter. You can also potentially go up to a 120mm fan if you need that much airflow... larger fans can spin slower (and thereby quieter) while shifting just as much air around. Edge-drive model fans are also good for this.

    Canned air isn't too expensive, on getting a new straw. Just don't turn the can upside down when you spray, or it'll come out as liquid, which is usually flammable. Lots of fun when you know how to safely play with it, but dangerous otherwise.
    On the same note, make SURE you completely unplug your computer before blowing it out with the compressed air. It's flammable after all.

    Just enable the PC speaker in the mixer and turn it up. Again, usually they're disabled and set to mute/minimum volume as a default. You could also ask your buddy how he does it, as it's MUCH easier to demonstrate hands-on than over text.
  • TheGuyTheGuy Join Date: 2003-08-09 Member: 19295Members, Constellation
    I also use an air compressor. It beats buying air in a can. As for how often. That depends on buildup and your airflow. If you have more exhaust than intake then you'll have to dust it out a lot less. If you have filters on your intake even less. I usually dust it out once a month. Make sure you do it outside though unless you want to spread it all around your house.
  • BlooBloo Village Fool of UWF Join Date: 2006-11-09 Member: 58497Members
    What? You have to clean your computer?
  • TalesinTalesin Our own little well of hate Join Date: 2002-11-08 Member: 7710NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators
    TheGuy, quite backward. More exhaust fans than intake fans creates a low pressure zone inside your computer. The air has less mass, making the dust (whose mass does not change) more likely to fall out of the air, and build up. Also, low-pressure air can not exchange heat as effectively. The best ratio is 2:1 intake/exhaust, keeps everything moving nicely, and still allows you to filter the intake fans. Any tiny dust particles that get through remain trapped in the higher-density air, and exit the system.

    People with more exhaust fans than intake fans don't seem to think things through too clearly, before slapping crap on.


    As for using a compressor, I go with canned air as it's guaranteed moisture free. Another of those things that happens when you compress air... and spitting water droplets at expensive electronics is kind of obviously a bit of a bonehead move.
  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    Take your tower outside and use the canned compressed air. Do not shake it and do not turn the can upside down. If you shop around you can find it relatively cheap.

    As to how often, this depends how much time you spend in that room and how dirty it gets. Dust in a home consists of human (and pet) dander mostly. My study needs a top-to-bottom cleaning monthly... the tower I vaccuum the front intake monthly, and blow the inside out maybe every other month.
  • DrSuredeathDrSuredeath Join Date: 2002-11-11 Member: 8217Members
    Cleaning? Does not compute.
  • HazeHaze O RLY? Join Date: 2003-07-07 Member: 18018Members, Constellation
  • ZeroByteZeroByte Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 3057Members
    Hrm. When I brought my PC for servicing they used a vacuum on her.

    Frakkers.

    I probably should come up with some sort of cleaning regimen for my new PC though. My old one got reeeeeally nasty with dirt. Keeping your tower off the floor seems to help keep the guts of your rig clean. My friend's rig was amazingly clean and he keeps his on top of his table.
  • V_MANV_MAN V-MAN Join Date: 2002-11-03 Member: 6217Members, Constellation
    Once a month or my pc locks up due to it over heating.
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    My 24/7 server get a dust gush of air once every year (I've been meaning to get filters for the intake fans)

    On my coolermaster desktop, I usually clean the filter on the two intake fans once every 6 month or so. There is no dust inside the case...
  • TheSaviorTheSavior Join Date: 2003-10-14 Member: 21688Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1619987:date=Apr 10 2007, 06:15 AM:name=Talesin)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Talesin @ Apr 10 2007, 06:15 AM) [snapback]1619987[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    As for using a compressor, I go with canned air as it's guaranteed moisture free. Another of those things that happens when you compress air... and spitting water droplets at expensive electronics is kind of obviously a bit of a bonehead move.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Indeed, using an air compressor and releasing the compressed air at high rates will cause moisture to condense. However, when using it at a throttled P.S.I of around 35-40 and in short bursts, the moisture formation is certainly not noticeable to the human eye. Also, I'd like to think the person doing this doesn't have the computer plugged in. I know I grab my case and take it to the garage to do this, so water on electronics is moot, especially such a minuscule amount as what would be coming out of an air compressor at 40 P.S.I, as an trace amounts would have evaporated long before it's re-connected.
  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    Moisture is ever present in the ambient air. In the compression process, air is heated. As it flows through the distribution system it is cooled, causing water vapor to condense. Condensed moisture combines with oil and solid contaminants forming a sludge, which is detrimental to air-operated devices and to processes. Sludge becomes a real concern when the compressed air has contact with the actual product.

    IF the compressor has an air dryer installed it would be acceptable.
  • TheSaviorTheSavior Join Date: 2003-10-14 Member: 21688Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1620107:date=Apr 10 2007, 03:35 PM:name=Depot)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Depot @ Apr 10 2007, 03:35 PM) [snapback]1620107[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    the compressor has an air dryer installed
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Pretty much.
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    I have one of those, whatchamacallits --> Blowfish with a tube on it kind of things. Push to blow air out of it and leggo to get air back into the blowfish thingy.

    Compressed air is for the weak <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
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