Cleaning inside of PC

[dsl]

Well i have to clean the inside of my PC because the fan is STUPIDLY loud now. Any tips? I know i gotta use compressed air but i dont wanna fuck up my PC :p so any tips or whatever would be cool! Cheers.

[smont]

i always use air compressor just stay a decent distance away and it'll be fine. Try to make the fans spin the same direction they are suppose to as well.

[VeLoCitY]

if you use the spray cans dont put the end to close to the mother board they sometimes spray out moisture.

[LiN]

Depends how dusty, I've cleaned a few computers that were just completely nasty and I actually had to use a vacuum with a soft brisel attachemnt to suck it all out. If it's just mildly dirty compressed air of course. Take it outside and go nuts, you can't really damage anything unless you turn it upside down and start spraying in the same spot. Atleast nothing bad has ever happened to me and I've done it hundreds of times.

[Streit]

Screw compressed air cans... They are useless and cleaning a really dirty/dusty computer will require at minimum, 1 can, if not more, specially if youre thorough.
You want the best cleaning device for your PC? Get one of these... http://www.toolbarn.com/product/makita/BUB182Z/ Sure, theyre 100 bucks, but its a wonderful tool and will not only work on your computer but on every single cleaning/dusting application...

I swear once I got one of those I couldnt understand how people are still out there using compressed air cans... I use it to clean my case, keyboard (It blows everything out of everywhere), my car, etc, etc...

[dsl]

Well my computer is pretty nasty as ive never done it and have had the thing for a few years .. so i think i REALLY have to do it XD I guess i'll get compressed air and go at it wit that! if it doesnt work i'll get the hoover (vacuum) !

[Hustle`baMMMMMM]

a vacuum works well for cleaning out a dusty heatsink/fan. Compressed air is for your mainboard/components. If its real bad suck it out with the vacuum first, than hit it with the compressed air.

[CHIZZ]

if you know any1 with an air compressor then use that, thats what i do if it gets really bad otherwise i just use a vacuum on the fans and vents and i ts good as new.

try to clean it before the dust gets compacted cuz then its alot harder to clean out than if its light n fluffy.

[CaliJared]

Earlier this week my fans were so clogged with dust my computer would overheat during CS and just shut off on me. I just took the heat sync out and vacuumed the dust from the other fans and the heat sync and vacuumed around the rest of the case. Everything works just fine now.

[dsl]

Well my PC has never shut off during CS but i think its getting there so i better get it clean!

[FragMonkey]

Removing dust isn't going to help much with fan noise. Peel off the sticker on the back of the fan, remove the little rubber plug and apply one drop of sewing oil. Spin the fan around a bit with your finger to work the oil in, then put the plug and sticker back. Hair clippers usually come with a little bottle of sewing oil if you can't find any.

Don't use a vacuum to clean circuit boards, they can generate static electricity.

[dsl]

Removing dust isn't going to help much with fan noise.

Have to disagree there i'm afirad! just cleaned out the inside of my PC and i cannot hear the fan at all ! I thought it was broken at first but no i cant hear it at all SUCSESS!!

[c`LoW]

you guys are dumb, VACCUM'S ARE A COMPUTERS WORST FRIEND. you can fry your chips using a vaccum... never use it..

[pixeeelz]

Just use a compressed air can, don't tilt it more than 45 degrees but tilt your tower instead at a reasonable angle. Try not to spin the fan a lot when you're blowing compressed air because it can actually damage it. If you want to vacuum your fans/case, make sure your components (motherboard, graphics, etc) are not inside. c`LoW is right vacuum cleaners and electronics don't mix - they discharge electricity they discharge A LOT. There are some special vacuums made for cleaning electronics I don't know what they're called though.

[Vincto]

Always stick the hoover up against the front and back of your chassis when you (or whoever does it) hoovers the room. Keyboard too.

Stay away from compressed gas.

[Vincto]

I built PCs for years - we had lots of issues you watch out for with static, but hoovers were never one.

Edit: using a tube of course - not running a standup cleaner across the motherboard :P

[mmakrzem]

I use a vacuum cleaner with a large straw attached to the end of it. The straw lets me get into all the small places on my heatsinks

[psx2p]

take the fans off and components out and SPEND SOME TIME cleaning it with an unused paintbrush. dotn rush through it with a can of air....those are horrible especially if your to close and they shoot out moisture. a vacuum works but i still prefer and recommend using a paintbrush.

[toddsauce]

Do NOT use an air compressor.. LOL you guys are funny..

[RAY16]

I use a manual air mattress pump to blow dust out of my case. Gives my atrophied leg muscles a slight workout and there's no danger of it shooting out moisture. Fan noise generally won't be fixed by cleaning out dust, though. Just means the fan is slowly dying. Better to just replace it sooner rather than later.

[psx2p]

Do NOT use an air compressor.. LOL you guys are funny..
lol didn't even see that... yea crank up the PSI and blast away at the fans and see how long it takes for the bearings to go. then take aim at the motherboard and play shoot the capacitors off the board. ahhh the fun, if your going this route i suggest after your done with the air compressor to put it in the dishwasher on rinse, maybe some comet to make it really shine, nah i kid but its funny to think that someone would.

[hen555]

sure just use compressed gass.
sometimes i do use a vacume tho

[Dunf88]

Honestly dunk it under water and scrub it. Ive cleaned fans several times by running them under the tap since i got a fireplace and they get very bad, so bad canned air doesn't do anything. I'm pretty sure you can clean components like that as long as you let it dry out fully before using again but my balls don't droop low enough to try on my mobo/vid cards.

[GObonzo]

dustbuster and alcohol wipes.

[Blacksmith1]

Paint bruhes in various sizes for the PCB's, and heat sinks, paper towels, and windex on the fans (works wonders), and yes, a vacuum for the rest of the case ever since my 286 way back in the early 90's. I tried the canned air. it's a waste of money. I do like the air pump idea tho' I have an electric one for air beds that should work quite nicely. I'll have to try it out next time.
and you should clean your system at least once a year, more often if you have pets, or young kids. (7-8 and under) they tend to make, and/or attract dust and dirt.
BTW, unless it's sealed (which it's not) getting your fans in the sink and soaked will shorten thier lives. the clorine in tap water will start corroding the copper faster than if you don't do that. Plain water is bad enough. not to mention the buildup from the mineral content. small amounts added together over time......