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| Is it dangerous to clean your computer with compressed air or vacuum? |
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| RoGeorge:
--- Quote from: crazy_driver on June 23, 2016, 12:59:21 pm ---Some say Compressed air like that can create A LOT of static electricity, others that the last time they used a vaccum the computer gave intermittent problems they had to get a new one. So what do you think is the best way? --- End quote --- It's not the statics, but the fans. Fans become generators when turned very fast by compressed air/vacuum cleaners. A colleague of us damaged once a 486 motherboard by cleaning it with a vacuum cleaner. |
| CatalinaWOW:
--- Quote from: RoGeorge on April 28, 2023, 10:47:07 am --- --- Quote from: crazy_driver on June 23, 2016, 12:59:21 pm ---Some say Compressed air like that can create A LOT of static electricity, others that the last time they used a vaccum the computer gave intermittent problems they had to get a new one. So what do you think is the best way? --- End quote --- It's not the statics, but the fans. Fans become generators when turned very fast by compressed air/vacuum cleaners. A colleague of us damaged once a 486 motherboard by cleaning it with a vacuum cleaner. --- End quote --- Fans are by far the bigger problem, but I have also encountered static generated by vacuums. It shouldn't be to big a problem because the actual source of the problem is charge physically carried by dust particles in the moving air. Unless you are moving great mounds of dust similar to the sawdust you find around a table saw it is unlikely to be a problem. |
| janoc:
I wouldn't use a regular vacuum cleaner because it can pull connectors, cables and damage things. Compressed air is OK, just make sure to not let the fans spin in the airstream (hold them down with your finger). The chances of damaging something with it these days is low, the large capacitors on the board will "eat" most of the generated voltage, but why to risk it. However, what can be easily damaged if the fan is left to overspeed are the bearings. |
| DavidAlfa:
The forum has gotten plaged with silly questions beyond explanation, and people keep falling for them. No pun intended, but guess what most computers use for cooling? Air 24/7! The only possible damage is ripping something off due the pressure or by rubbing. What causes so much overthinking? Lvl 99 boredom? |
| amyk:
--- Quote from: janoc on July 04, 2016, 09:53:52 pm ---ESD is dangerous if you have naked, unsoldered parts. Components mounted on a board are reasonably safe because the circuitry will dissipate any charge build up before it could break something. The chances you will ESD fry something by blasting dust out from your computer are negligible. --- End quote --- This. Keep it plugged in but switched off, and static charge won't even accumulate. That said, I prefer cleaning heatsinks, after removing them, with water and blowing them dry before reattaching. It's a good time to replace the thermal compound too. |
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