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Is it dangerous to clean your computer with compressed air or vacuum?

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Halcyon:
In the last 20 or so years, I've never had a single machine fail due to being vacuumed or blown out with compressed air. I generally use a combination of a normal household vacuum cleaner and a lens cleaning "pen" (it has very soft bristles that won't damage or dislodge even the smallest SMDs).

I hold the vacuum above the area being cleaned, just to create enough suction to lift airborne dust, then use the lens pen to dislodge dust from boards and components. For things like heat sinks where I can't get the brush into, I use a can of Electrolube EADP which has a very high pressure blast (moreso than your standard "air in a can" products you buy at office supply stores).

I just vacuum around optical drives but I'd never blow compressed gas into the tray area. Chances are you'll just blow dust around the inside of the chassis and further contaminate the lens. If it's that bad that a CD/DVD drive needs a desperate clean, for $30 I'd just replace it.

nctnico:
Every now and then I buy used test equipment. If it is very dusty I take it outside and use compressed air to get rid of the dust.

Tinkerer:
As long as you dont blow parts off the boards, no problems.

jsi:

--- Quote from: bitseeker on June 23, 2016, 08:48:36 pm ---
--- Quote from: jsi on June 23, 2016, 08:37:27 pm ---My experience comes from supporting computers on mining and construction sites.  I have cleaned computers out that were literally packed with powder fine dust.

--- End quote ---

That sounds horrifying. :o

--- End quote ---
I kind of liked it when they would call with an overheating computer, cause it meant I got to get out of the main office.  Unfortunately it was in the days before cell phone cameras or I would have some awesome pictures.   

Circlotron:
Make sure your compressor has a water trap. You don't want moisture spitting all over the place.

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