Computer Cleaning Questions

[StickEGreenleaf]

My girlfriend has a laptop computer and needs to know how she should clean the screen. Is there anything special she should do?

Another question while I'm at it, is those cans of compressed air good for cleaning inside my computer?

Thanks

[Alaron]

For screen cleaning, check out this thread. http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?&threadid=46943

Canned air is excellent for blasting dust bunnies out of all the nooks and crannies inside your pc. Just be sure to keep the can vertical to avoid the liquid coolant inside from coming out.

[Ugod]

I was wondering if anyone can tell me the easiest place to pick up compressed air and about how much it will cost. My first guess would be a hardware store, I don't want to go to a computer specialty shop and get gouged

[Red]

Originally posted by Ugod I was wondering if anyone can tell me the easiest place to pick up compressed air and about how much it will cost. My first guess would be a hardware store, I don't want to go to a computer specialty shop and get gouged

Office Depot/Max, Walmart all will have that stuff for about two bucks a can.

[Ugod]

Ok, thanks much

[Jaggannath]

Another way I've found of cleaning the internals of my computer is with a very soft, small and short bristled brush. Obviously this isn't necessarily a good thing for cleaning the motherboard, the compressed air is better, but that's what I do and I've never had a problem caused by it

[VietBob]

For those who enjoy parachuting and bunji-jumping, try this on the mainboard: Leave the computer plugged in (grounded). Bring the flat, narrow crevice tool on a vacuum cleaner slowly to about 1cm from dusty surfaces, using extreme caution to avoid contacting the aforementioned surfaces, or clean ones either. Using Dust-off on a dirty component blows the dust around but doesn't remove it. Using a vacuum (in conjunction with the canned air for pesky spots) removes most of the dust entirely. Be aware that static discharge can potentially fry most any component, thus the importance of maintaining a healthy gap between the tool and the components! And, of course, if you choose to follow my advice you're doing so at your own risk! While I've been doing this for many years with no tragedies, unless you want to fly me to your home and pay me to do the work, I won't be in the least responsible for any loss or damage, nor will PCMechanic!

(This is also the best way I've found to clean a keyboard short of surgery.)

-Bob