Cleaning Computer

[Prudent]

I recently got a Datavac pc personal cleaner like this one.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...32125&CatId=41

Ok my dad got it and hes very defensive that its the prefect device to use to suck any thing out of the inside of my Brand New Computer.

I'm ok with using it to suck in dust from the fan grate on my case. But I'm nervous about using it to suck up dirt from the motherboard it self or even inside my computer case at all. He keeps telling me its ok, and that his intuition tells him every thing will be fine if I try it inside.

I wanted a second opinion from you guys.

I went to this site...
http://www.computerhope.com/cleaning.htm
And the first thing that grabbed my eye was that it said not to use a plug in vacuum like the one my dad is sooo..ooo sure would be wounderful on my CPU. They go on to say that static charge is a possibility with a plug in vacuum. But not with battery powered ones.

To sum all this into one sentence.

Is it safe to use my Dad's Vacuum inside my new computer?

[mountainking]

well how powerful is the vacuum? does it have a ton of suction or does it barely suck up a grain of sand?

[Cricket]

Use it to clean the keyboard, air vents and the bottom of the PC...but I don't think you want to run that thing over your motherboard (might knock something loose). Use compressed air to blow the dust off the motherboard and other cards.

Cricket

[Panama Red]

Wouldn't use it directly on the boards. Probably OK to remove dust/dirt from the bottom of the case. Use a 1" or 2" paint brush to remove any dust and dirt from the boards and use the vacuum to suck up the residue. I only use a vacuum for the big stuff in the bottom of the case. I prefer using my air compressor to blow out the rest of the accumulated crud. I do it in the garage to keep the crud out of the house. Make sure you insert a screw driver between fan blades before you use compressed air or a vacuum on the fans to prevent the fan from rotating at high speed. Good way to wipe out a fan bearing.

edit: Didn't mean to sound like Cricket's echo (chirp, chirp!). Guess we were both typing at the same time!

[Prudent]

Ok, thank you guys.

Its not that very powerful so I'd have to bring the nossle close but of course I wouldn't brush the nossle brush at the circutry.

So if thats not the best vacuum to use then whats the best vacuum to use then?

Are air cans better then vacuums ultimately?

Or is there a super safe 69$ Computer Internal Vac you might know of?

I've been using google to try to find a good site that either sells or explains well about cleaning a computer. But if any of you know of one off the bat please feel free to post.

I'm taking this precaution because I certainly don't wont to damage any thing from over worrying about dust.

Ultimately can you recommend a better vacuum?
Plus Ultimately what do you guys do to clean your computers out?

[fudtone]

I would let my dad us it... he fries it he buys me a new PC...Of course I would only do this to a unit 3 months old... dont want him to fry a brand new one... also I would have him convinced that it was a p4 3.6 and a 256 mb 6800gt

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Prudent So if thats not the best vacuum to use then whats the best vacuum to use then?

Other than using a vacuum to clean the bottom of the case, the power supply air vents and the front and back of the case near the fan openings, I wouldn't use a vacuum on anything inside the computer itself.

Originally Posted by Prudent Are air cans better then vacuums ultimately?

No, they end up being more costly.

Originally Posted by Prudent Or is there a super safe 69$ Computer Internal Vac you might know of?

I don't know of any...and why does it have to be a vacuum?

Originally Posted by Prudent I've been using google to try to find a good site that either sells or explains well about cleaning a computer. But if any of you know of one off the bat please feel free to post.

Sorry, don't know of any...never really looked actually.

Originally Posted by Prudent I'm taking this precaution because I certainly don't wont to damage any thing from over worrying about dust.

It's good to keep the inside of your computer clean, but don't be obsessive about it. I've seen computer still run even though the insides are filthy (and I mean the inside of the computer looks like it's been carpeted). Of course this is extreme and the computer were older ones that didn't generate as much heat as modern systems do...but they did run. So even if there's a little dust in the computer I really don't think it's anything to be freaked out about.

Originally Posted by Prudent Ultimately can you recommend a better vacuum?

Well, I do use a shopvac...but not as a vacuum. I reverse the hose and use the exhaust to blow the dust out of the case.

Originally Posted by Prudent Plus Ultimately what do you guys do to clean your computers out?

Every few months I'll take my computers into the garage and get the shopvac out, put the hose on the exhaust and then blow out the dust from the computers. Then I'll wipe down the bottom of the case, the power supply air vents and the fan ports with a damp cloth. And I'll take off the front face plate and give it a cleaning. Then I'll clean all the fan blades. That's about it.

Cricket

[Prudent]

Thanks Cricket,

I think I'll try to convince my Dad to return this Vacum and wait until I need to worry about cleaning the computer.

Plus the funny thing is I do have a Shop Vac. http://www.shopvac.com/

But I'm a little confused. Wouldn't a shop vac pumnping air out to a computer cuase electrostatic... somthing?

I mean I guess sese you have done it its alright but are you sure the air doesn't harm any thing?