How to Clean a PC

Compressed air (with a water filter trap)... those cans of compressed air you buy at shops is useless...

NB Just make sure you hold your fans from spinning when blowing air...
 
+1 on compressor, a hand held air blower is also excellent for this (and smaller/cheaper so better for home use).

If you really have lots of sticky muck your best bet is contact cleaner (compressed liquid gas that evaporates quickly and just sprays the rubbish away) or isopropanol alcohol.

I actually want to try carb cleaner some time on an old box. Will give feedback as to results.
 
I always just open my case and take it to the nearest garage tyre pressure pump.
Those high pressure pumps they have there work wonders...
 
IRG said:
Compressed air (with a water filter trap)... those cans of compressed air you buy at shops is useless...

NB Just make sure you hold your fans from spinning when blowing air...
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this.

I have used the compressed air at the petrol garage, didn't give me any issues
 
AstroTurf said:
isopropanol alcohol.
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Dude, where do I get isopropanol alcohol?
I was looking for some the other day (cleaning heatsinks) at our local grocery stores etc. but I wasn't sure what to look for and where.
I eventually found some "surgical" alchol (it smells like vicks bubblegum) but I don't think it's the right stuff... (the bottle doesn't show what type of alcohol it is).

If used it when fixing an Xbox RROD and it worked, but the "bubble gum" smell it leaves behind makes me wonder if I'm not screwing up by using something I shouldn't.
 
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RaptorSA said:
Dude, where do I get isopropanol alcohol?
I was looking for some the other day (cleaning heatsinks) at our local grocery stores etc. but I wasn't sure what to look for and where.
I eventually found some "surgical" alchol (it smells like vicks bubblegum) but I don't think it's the right stuff... (the bottle doesn't show what type of alcohol it is)
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We order from our local chemist. They do not keep it in stock but send it as we need it. We also use it for cleaning vinyl for a ribbon cartridge heat transfer printer.

But seriously, for motherboards and the like I find Contact cleaner to be much better, not cheaper but very nice to use as it sprays out at a bit of pressure so cleaning PCI/RAM slots is a dream and no chance of bristles getting left behind from a brush.

http://img1.wantitall.co.za/images/...-Cleaner-WASH-Val-U-Series-Ad|41BBk-aWnNL.jpg
 
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Those mini air compressors work great as well.
 
bekdik said:
I've always called isopropyl
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You can get isopropyl alcohol from a normal pharmacy/chemist. It normally comes in 90% alcohol form. It's also called 'rubbing alcohol' if you look for it on the shelf. It's a great cleaner as it evaporates away fast.
 
Last time I just switched everything off and took my powerful vacuum cleaner and sucked all the dirt away! I know it's the worst thing I could have done but my computer is still running!
 
Pooky said:
Last time I just switched everything off and took my powerful vacuum cleaner and sucked all the dirt away! I know it's the worst thing I could have done but my computer is still running!
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Just be careful of static electricity, shes a mean b***h
 
Pooky said:
I read about that but decided to take a chance!
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Don't worry about static in Durban, not gonna happen unless you are in a airconned environment and dragging your feet across a 100m of nylon carpeting. Way to much moisture in the air here :D
 
For blowing out the dust you can also use a hair drier on the cold setting. This avoids blowing too hard and messing up something in the PC. It is also the only use I have for my drier.
 
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