Question:

I've had the same desktop for a few years now, and I'm worried about the machine overheating due to dust blocking the fan and getting in the case. I'd like to clean up the inside of my machine, but I afraid I'll damage it. What's the best, safest way to clean up all my PC components? (I've never touched or seen the inside of my machine.) Also, are there any additional precautions I can take to keep my PC from getting so grimy in the future?

Submitted by: Joaquin L.

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Answer:

Joaquin, you have a valid concern, and I commend you for bringing up an often overlooked problem. Too much dust can block the airflow inside a case, and the excessive heat can cause problems with your hard drive or other components. Just as excessive dust poses a risk to your system, attempting to clean the inside of your computer can be equally risky. If you have never opened the case of your computer, you may want to consider taking your computer to your local PC store and ask them to clean it for you. After they clean the inside, you can take some preventive steps at home to help keep the inside clean.

Let's start with the basics. Dust gets into a computer through the vents in the front, side, and back of the case. Often, these vents are carefully placed to maximize air flow through the case. Most cases are designed to pull air in from the front of the case and push air out the back of the case, or perhaps through a side vent. That means some vents
(holes) will be pulling air and dust into the computer, and some vents will be pushing air and dust out.

Therefore, the best preventive step is to keep the room with the computer as clean as possible. The less dust that is in the room, the less dust that will get into the computer. Additionally, dusting and cleaning the room stirs dust up into the air, which then can get sucked into the computer. Try turning the computer off while you dust and clean, which will help prevent it from sucking in stirred up dust.
Furthermore, while the computer is turned off, you can go ahead and clean the vents on the outside of the case. Any standard vacuum with a hose can be used to vacuum the dust away from the vents. However, avoid using a strong suction around the drive bays.

For those people who are comfortable opening up their case, here are some tips for cleaning the inside. First, make sure the power is turned off and unplug your computer. Next, make sure you are properly grounded to avoid static electricity. You should wear a grounding wrist strap, unless you are familiar with other techniques to properly ground yourself. The safest way to clean the inside of a computer is with compressed air. Most electronic stores sell compressed air in a spray can, which is approved to use with electronic devices. Some of the "air in a can" products contain moisture, which should not be used inside a computer. Make sure the compressed air is free of moisture, approved for electronics, and then follow the directions carefully.

When spraying compressed air, avoid spraying too close to the motherboard or directly on it. Instead, focus the air on the fans, case vents, and the cables that are collecting dust in the middle of the case. I like to use short bursts of air. In most cases, a little dust on the motherboard is not going to hurt it. Never try to wipe a motherboard clean with a cloth (avoid touching it with anything)! Likewise, I would not use a vacuum or suction device inside a computer, it is too dangerous. Compressed air is the safest method to clean inside a computer, and even that has some risk.

If you notice a lot of dust on your cables, you may want to consider bundling the cables together. Use an electrical safe twist tie or plastic strap to group the cables in a manner that will allow air to flow through the case more effectively. If you have the large flat (IDE) ribbon cables, consider buying the air flow (round) version. The following CNET link has some good information on the round IDE cables:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11319_7-6240575-7.html Even better, upgrade to a SATA hard drive and you can use the much smaller SATA cables.

Last, let's talk about how often you should clean your computer. While this will vary depending on your environment and the level of dust in your area, here are some general principles that will apply to most people. Clean the outside of your computer, specifically the vents as often as you clean the room the computer is in (perhaps weekly or twice a month). If you notice dust accumulating on the vents, clean them.
Unless you live in an area that is prone to a lot of dust, I would only clean the inside of a computer about once or twice a year. Every time you open the case and start cleaning inside, there is some risk of damage. Most computers can operate with a fair amount of dust, so don't get overly concerned about cleaning the inside. The primary reason to clean the inside of a computer is to promote good air flow. So if you have good air flow through your case, don't worry as much about how clean the inside looks.

Submitted by: George H. of St. Louis, Missouri