Reliability Is Top Priority So I Clean My Computer Regularly
I like to clean my computer every
couple of months to ensure
my
system stays reliable, even under the heaviest workload. If
your
computer system is clean on the inside,
the case will continue to move air through keeping all of your
components cool. It may look like a big job at first, but
rest
assured, after you've done this once, it's about a 15 minute job.
If you have your motherboard controlling fan speeds, your
system will also run louder because the temperatures end up being to
high as a result of poor air flow. The motherboard
compensates and runs the fans at full speed, all the time.
Eventually, airflow becomes so poor your system will start
overheating.
TIP!
A common problem I see when servicing other peoples computers
is poor airflow. As a result usually the video card or the
CPU end up running to hot, this causes system crashing, blue screen
Windows errors, and just an overall performance loss.
How I Clean My Computer
Remember
Never use a vacuum to clean a computer, they often generate
a lot of static
electricity.
A single shock can cause a computer component to become
useless.
To clean my computer, I use a star screwdriver, a can of
compressed air or
an air compressor with a blow nozzle. If you use an air
compressor, make sure the air is dry by spraying a piece of wood first,
and checking to see if it is damp. If there is any moisture
in your lines I recommend you pick up a can of compressed air and use
that instead to avoid damaging any of your electronics.
- Step 1
- Turn off the computer, and remove all the wires connecting to it.
- Step 2
- Take the covers off of the computer case, this is usually done by
removing the 4 screws on the left and right side of the case.
- Step 3
- Slide the covers back, they stop about a half inch back.
Then the panel is free to remove.
- Step 4 -
If the front panel on the computer case is removable, go ahead and take
that off as well by gently prying with a flat screwdriver.
- Step 5
- Remove the video card, it's where your monitor was plugged into.
If your video card is part of your motherboard, skip this
step. Removing the video card will not only help you to clean
the heatsink and fan on the video card, but it will give you more room
to clean out the heatsink on the CPU. Give the video card
compressed air from both sides. Make sure you hold the fan to
keep it from spinning as you blow out the
fan side.
TIP!
Front this point forward, if you need a better look at the pictures,
click on them for a larger image.
- Step 6
- Blow out the front case fan. Since you can't easily stop
the
fan from spinning, short air blasts here will keep you from
over spinning this fan.
- Step 7 -
Blow out the rear case fan, holding the fan again to avoid spinning it
too fast.
- Step 8
- Blast air between all of you hard drives to free the dust there as
well.
- Step 9
- The power supply needs to be cleaned as well, blowing air both from
the back of the case and from the inside of the case through the power
supply.
- Step 10
- The
heatsink for the CPU should be cleaned by passing air from as many
different sides as possible. Keep in mind again not to
over spin
the fan.
- Step 11
- Once you're all finished put the video card back in, put the panels
back on the case.
To make sure I always have a clean computer, I like to clean
my
computer every 4 to 6 months. It will help keep your system
running its best, reliable and fast. Also, a wipe off of the
front of the case to keep the air intake side clean is a great idea
anytime you think of it.