Introduction: How to Clean Your Computer
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About: Computer/ electronics guru. Hobbies are: electronics mainly destroying things and then making something new or learning how things work. I have been getting into fixing more things though. for instance all…
what you will need
your computer will need to be disconected from all attached devices.
canned air or a low power air compresor
Qtips, you will likley to need screw drivers. you may also need a vacum to clean up what the dust that gets blown out. Do not use the vacum in the computer.
your computer will need to be disconected from all attached devices.
canned air or a low power air compresor
Qtips, you will likley to need screw drivers. you may also need a vacum to clean up what the dust that gets blown out. Do not use the vacum in the computer.
Step 1: Backup
make a backup off all your documents and any program files and drivers before begining. this process is not going to erase the computer or anything however acidents happen. a drive could crash it should done anyways. at least once a year to and external hard disk, thumb drive, cd, dvd, tape, etc.
Step 2: Prep
Disconect all the cables to the computer
Take comuter to where you can work on it.
look at the seams on the cover. if cover is metel and is a tower. look on the back there should be some screws if there on all sides remove all then pull tords back of case then up tords the top. then set aside clean of inside and out if needed.
If one scew on only the 1 side remove screw then pull panel back and out. most new ones are like this.
or may be a buton on the botom & top that unclatches it and henges from the front.
on some you may need to remove the face and unscrew the screw. Also look for a latch on the botom of front face. this might release the sides.
if desktop remove any screws lift off. there may be slider levers or buttons to push also then remove the cover.
Take comuter to where you can work on it.
look at the seams on the cover. if cover is metel and is a tower. look on the back there should be some screws if there on all sides remove all then pull tords back of case then up tords the top. then set aside clean of inside and out if needed.
If one scew on only the 1 side remove screw then pull panel back and out. most new ones are like this.
or may be a buton on the botom & top that unclatches it and henges from the front.
on some you may need to remove the face and unscrew the screw. Also look for a latch on the botom of front face. this might release the sides.
if desktop remove any screws lift off. there may be slider levers or buttons to push also then remove the cover.
Step 3: Clean
touch the case to discarge any static electricity. try to work where there is no carpet and is not cold or dry.
you may need to remove the power suply. drive bay may also lift up or pull out. to get at all of the parts. remove the 4 screws around the fan& power conection and pull it out move out of way leave it conected. many small towers are like this but this is not very popular.
use the canned air (prefered) read the directions on caned air do not hold it upside down. or use a compressor with about 10-20 psi. a hairdryer with no heat will also work. blow around the case top tord botom. blow out the metel heat sink with the fan on it. you may need q tips to clean the heat sink. if your able and can put it back on remove the heatsink. however then you will need to replace the heat sink compound on the cpu and heat sink. after the system is blown out you can vacum the mess up around it.
you may need to remove the power suply. drive bay may also lift up or pull out. to get at all of the parts. remove the 4 screws around the fan& power conection and pull it out move out of way leave it conected. many small towers are like this but this is not very popular.
use the canned air (prefered) read the directions on caned air do not hold it upside down. or use a compressor with about 10-20 psi. a hairdryer with no heat will also work. blow around the case top tord botom. blow out the metel heat sink with the fan on it. you may need q tips to clean the heat sink. if your able and can put it back on remove the heatsink. however then you will need to replace the heat sink compound on the cpu and heat sink. after the system is blown out you can vacum the mess up around it.
Step 4: Finish
put any removed parts back into the case. just the oposite of removing them. put the cover(s) back on.
if more info is needed to get it open or removing a part. or puting one back look at your documantation or the manufacturers web site. E.G. Dell, HP, compaq,Asus,etc
not responsible for problems or any damage.
if more info is needed to get it open or removing a part. or puting one back look at your documantation or the manufacturers web site. E.G. Dell, HP, compaq,Asus,etc
not responsible for problems or any damage.
Step 5: Benifits of Cleaning
It will run cooler, quiter, and last longer. It may also run faster depending on how dirty it was. I recomend doing it every few years. or more if the environment is realy dirty. to keep it clean like this do not eat, drink, smoke around the system. it may also help to keep it up off the floor if you have pets.
Step 6: Enjoy
enjoy a faster cooler quiter computer while extendinng its life. congratulations your done.