Quick quiz!

Pop over and take a look at this post on Make You Go Hmm and pay attention to the picture of the inside of the PC - there will be a test!   Go on, I'll wait for you.

OK, welcome back - here's my question:

What's wrong with what you saw?

...

...

I bet you  it instantly - the massive amount of dust inside that poor PC.  No wonder the CPU fan died.  In fact, I'm amazed that it was just the CPU fan that died.  I'm surprised the PSU fan didn't pack up or that the PC didn't suffer from overheating thanks to that thick dust bunny blanket.

When was the last time you were inside your PC?  If it's been a while, you might be surprised as to how much muck is inside it and it might be a good idea to give it a clean out.

Here's how I do it:

• Assemble your cleaning kit - clean cloth, soft brush, vacuum cleaner, can of compressed air (the type used to clean camera lenses).
• Unplug the PC from the mains and disconnect all the peripherals (make a note of where everything goes if you are unsure).
• If you are allergic to dust take precautions (wear rubber gloves and a dust mask)
• Take the PC to a location where the dust isn't going to be a problem (garage for example).
• Use the soft brush and vacuum cleaner to clean the rear of the PC - pay so special attention to any air inlets/outlets (such as the PSU).
• Open up the PC.
• Use the compressed air to clean the motherboard and other components such as fans (although don't touch the fans as this can damage them).
• The goal of using the compressed air it to move the dust onto the bottom of the PC (not to blow it out completely).  Work slowly and methodically from top to bottom.
• Once all the muck is at the bottom of the case, use the soft brush and cloth to collect it all up.  Work carefully and take care not to touch components.
• Once you're done, close up the PC and give the exterior a final wipe.
• Take the PC back to the desk and re-attach it to the peripherals and mains outlet.
• Test.

This entry was posted on Friday, December 1st, 2006 at 21:53 and is filed under PC Doctor Repair/Upgrade Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.