A Step-by-Step Guide for Cleaning Dust Inside a PC

Posted on: 3 November 2015

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Whether you are a casual PC user or a power user, you probably know the importance of running virus scans regularly and removing unneeded programs. However, you should also take care to clean dust from the inside of your computer. Here is a step-by-step explanation of how to clean the inside of a desktop PC.

1. Prepare to Clean Your PC

Desktop computers contain many sensitive components that can inadvertently be damaged during cleaning. The last thing you want is to get your PC perfectly clean on the inside, only to find that it will no longer boot! To avoid this catastrophe, a bit of preparation is required so you can understand the risks involved with cleaning a computer and know how to avoid them.

The biggest enemy that every PC cleaner should be aware of is static electricity. Before you touch anything inside your computer, you should ground yourself by touching another grounded surface in your home, such as a water pipe or a grounded appliance. To stay grounded, maintain contact with any metal on the computer case while you clean it, and preferably work on something other than a carpeted floor. If you want to be extra careful, you can use an anti-static wrist strap while cleaning your computer.

For your safety, you should always turn off your PC and disconnect all cables from the back before opening it. To discharge any remaining power that may be stored in the power supply, press the power button again after removing the power cable.

2. Use Compressed Air to Loosen Dust

Desktop computers often find themselves sitting in dusty floors or stowed away in the back of a desk with poor airflow. Your PC is constantly pulling air in from its surroundings while it's running to keep cool, and depending on its location, dust buildup can start to pose a serious problem in a matter of months. Dust loves to hide in the many fans inside your PC, as well as other less obvious places such as ram sockets.

It can be difficult to remove all the dust from your computer if you don't have a reliable way to dislodge it. Enter the PC cleaner's most trusted tool: a can of compressed air. To be sure all of the dust in your computer is loose and ready to be wiped away, use compressed air to spray the power supply fan, CPU cooler, intake fans, video card fans, ram sockets, and any dusty corners in your case.

3. Wipe Surfaces WIth Anti-Static Wipes

Compressed air is useful for loosening dust inside your computer, but there is still the matter of removing it from the PC entirely. Anti-static wipes are an excellent option for cleaning dust out of your PC while keeping the components safe. If you are using pre-moistened anti-static wipes, you do not want to use these to clean the motherboard and components directly. Instead, use compressed air to spray dust off the components until it is on the side of the computer case.

Wipe down the sides of the computer case thoroughly until they are dust-free. If there is still visible dust on the electronic components inside the computer, consider using a small hand-vac to carefully vacuum the components. Do not touch the components with the vacuum to avoid static discharge or bending capacitors on the motherboard.

Cleaning the dust out of your computer can prevent overheating that can damage your computer and keep fans from dying out before their time. Use these tips to clean the inside of your computer every few months so that you can maximize the lifespan of your system. For more tips or assistance, visit resources like http://www.laptoprepairs.com.