How to clean inside the computer?

[vita_7]

my computer has many dust inside it and i was wondering what is a good way to get rid of all the dust? i was planning on using a swiffer duster to clean it but will it damage any of the hardware inside it?

[Jucius Maximus]

I would not use a swiffer duster. Used compressed air instead.

http://www.cleaner-systems.co.uk/ProdImages/FalconDustoffXL.jpg

Open up your computer's case and take it out doors or in the garage. Use the compressed air duster to blast it out. Don't angle the canister too much or the liquid air will come out and that can be bad.

Make sure you dust off all the components and chips and heatsinks and stuff because dust is a thermal insulator.

Be careful to not get the fans spinning with the compressed air because overspinning them can cause damage to the mechanisms. But do dust off the fans themselves.

Clean out the power supply by using the little straw nozzle to get right into the vents and clean it out. This will improve the PSU's life and efficiency.

Also pay attention to any heatsinks on the CPU and GPU.

[Type R]

and make sure you have a vacuum near by or else all the dust will fly in your face

[Shinjieva01]

and make sure you have a vacuum near by or else all the dust will fly in your face

the first time i used it on my old computer which has been collecting 3 years of dust, i learnt that the hard way :cheesygri

[philco1]

I suggest cleaning the PC outside w/ compressed air. Keep the can as vertical as you can!! lawl Pun ;D

[board123]

Do it outside. Don't do it inside the house even if you're running a vacuum.

[willy]

Yup .. I usually do it outside ... Blast at will ;)

[fitbrit]

Yup .. I usually do it outside ... Blast at will ;)

Poor Will!

[ASharp]

Here's a decent video from NCIX that teaches you how to clean your system:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QZ8j46GB2w

[Riffer]

Been using a vacuum for 25 years without any problems.

Oh yes - YMMV:cheesygri

[JohnnyLaRue]

Been using a vacuum for 25 years without any problems.

Oh yes - YMMV:cheesygri

A friend's mileage did vary. He managed to suck the heatsink off, damaging the CPU in the process. He's not a techie, though.

Compressed air, outside, check the wind direction first is what I do.

[Ojam]

I find a pressure washer works best. I put it on the thin stream setting, and mix in a little baking soda.

[Jucius Maximus]

I find a pressure washer works best. I put it on the thin stream setting, and mix in a little baking soda.

If using this method, ensure that the computer is turned ON so that the magnetic fields produced by the capacitors and ICs will negate the effects of any dissolved ions in the water. Otherwise you might risk damage to your PC!