How to clean your computer from dust at home, step by step guide
Your computer, like any other digital device, needs to be properly maintained. Experts recommend regularly cleaning your computer from dust. However, before starting such work, you need to know how to properly clean.
Why clean your PC
Some people think that cleaning a personal computer (PC) is unnecessary, but it is not. If you do not clean the system unit, dust will begin to accumulate in the heat sink of the central processor, motherboard chipset and video card. The dusty coating on the surface of heatsinks reduces its ability to conduct heat, which leads to an increase in temperature of PC components.
If there is a lot of dust, even the installed fan will not be able to normalize the temperature, and the computer will begin to overheat.Therefore, in order to avoid overheating, they periodically clean the components of the system unit.
Reasons for contamination
There are several reasons for the ingress of dust into the computer system unit, which you should familiarize yourself with:
- Room dust. Most often, a PC gets dirty because it's in a dusty room. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically carry out wet cleaning and keep the apartment clean.
- A magnetic field. It's no secret that all devices that run on electricity have a magnetic field. It is thanks to it that digital devices attract dust particles to them.
- The coolers work. Some central units are equipped with special fans that blow cold air inside. If wet cleaning is rarely carried out in the room, the dust is sucked in with the air, which settles on the motherboard.
What is necessary
To clean a personal computer, you will need to use special tools.
Vacuum cleaner, compressor or special pneumatic cleaner
Most often, pneumatic cleaners, compressors and vacuum cleaners are used to remove the dust layer. In this case, it is recommended to use small models of devices, as they are more convenient to use. People who decide to use vacuum cleaners should choose models that have a compact nozzle with a bristle brush on the end.
Phillips screwdriver
An indispensable tool that you will definitely need to clean a computer case is a Phillips screwdriver. Most often it is used when removing the side cover. You may also need it to remove the CPU cooler and heat sink. For work, you need to select screwdrivers with a long handle.
Brush
Sometimes dust particles cannot be blown off the surface even with a powerful compressor and vacuum cleaner. In this case, you will have to use brushes with the help of which the surface cleaning of the motherboard, radiators and of the other components of the PC is carried out. You can use a regular brush or buy a computer brush.
Pencil
Special cleaning pens can be used to clean heat sinks and small motherboard components. Their advantages include:
- sustainability;
- compactness of the cleaning pad, the length and width of which is 6-7 millimeters;
- security.
Gum
When dusting a computer case, special attention is paid to the RAM. Experts recommend taking the time to clean the RAM contacts, as they oxidize over time.
To clean the contacts from traces of oxidation, it is recommended to use an eraser. Carefully clean the contacts so as not to accidentally damage the memory.
Deft hands
PC self-cleaning should be done by people who know at least a little about computers. If a person has never disassembled the system unit, then it is better to entrust the work of dust removal to experienced people.
Cleanliness and attention
Work should be done carefully and carefully so as not to accidentally damage the motherboard and the components installed on it.
How to Properly Clean Your Own CPU
To properly clean your computer from accumulated dust, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of such work.
Coaching
Before proceeding with cleaning, it is necessary to carry out preparatory work.
Complete shutdown of all external components
People who have cleaned the PC several times recommend that you disconnect all external devices beforehand. However, before doing this, you must disconnect the computer from the power source.
Components that should be disconnected include speakers, printer, modem, monitor, and other peripherals. In this case, you need to remember how everything was connected. This will help in the future to avoid connection problems from disconnected devices.
Remove the CPU cover
After detaching the external components, you need to get rid of the side case cover. To do this, you will need to unscrew the two bolts that are screwed to the back wall. It is very important not to confuse the covers and unscrew the one opposite the motherboard. The removed cover is also wiped with a cloth, as there may be dust particles on its inner side.
We collect all the bolts in one place
Quite often people lose the unscrewed bolts that attached the side cover to the system unit. Therefore, it is necessary to put all the fasteners aside or put them in a small box so as not to lose them.
Remove the RAM from the motherboard
Before removing the RAM from the slots, the CPU is placed on a hard, flat surface. Then you need to remove USB drives one by one. To do this, for each slot for RAM, you need to move the latches and carefully remove the strips. This must be done carefully so as not to accidentally damage USB drives.
We remove the video card
After getting rid of the RAM, they start removing the video card. To remove it, you will need to unscrew the bolt that secures the video card to the computer case.After that, the motherboard latch is disconnected, which is also responsible for securing the board. When removing the card, do not pull it with full force, so as not to damage the video card and the slot in which it is installed.
We remove other internal components, if any
In addition to RAM and a video card, there may be other components inside the system unit, which should also be obtained before beginning dust cleaning. Therefore, it is recommended to disconnect Wi-Fi modules, sound cards, modems and other additional components from the motherboard.
Disconnect and remove hard drive, floppy drive
The other components you should disconnect before dusting off your PC are the floppy drive and the hard drive. These components are connected to the power supply and therefore must be disconnected from all cords beforehand. In some system units, hard drives with drives are attached with bolts. It is necessary to unscrew all the fastening bolts and only then remove the components from the case.
Removing and disassembling the power supply
The very last part to remove is the power supply. It is attached to the central unit using screws located on the rear wall. After removal, the PSU must be disassembled in order to clean its cooler from dirt. To do this, you will need to unscrew a few fixing bolts and remove the cover.
Cleaning
After completing the preparation, they begin to clean the personal computer from dust.
First cleaning with a vacuum cleaner
First, you need to vacuum the motherboard to remove the top layer of dust.First, the vacuum cleaner is connected to the outlet, then the nozzle is removed from it so that only the handle with the hose remains in the hand. Then a mode is set in which the vacuum cleaner does not suck, but blows air. Blowing is carried out for 5-6 minutes.
We clean hard-to-reach places with a brush
The CPU fan and other hard-to-reach areas should be cleaned with a brush. At the same time, a powerful vacuum cleaner is used, which will suck up all the crushed dust.
The most difficult thing to clean is the radiator, because it is the one that clogs the dust the most. To clean it, you need to place the vacuum tube close to the surface. Residual dust particles are removed from the radiator with a brush.
Gently rub the contacts with an eraser
The contacts of the components inserted in the connectors of the motherboard are oxidized. Oxidation causes devices to malfunction. It is recommended to regularly clean the contacts so that there is no oxidation on their surface. To do this, gently rub the surface several times with an ordinary eraser.
Assembling a computer
After they finish cleaning the PC of contamination, they retrieve the CPU. Everything must be done in the same way as during the scan, however, all actions are performed in a different order. After assembly, you should check that all components are in place.
Clean the monitor from dust
Cleaning the surface of the monitor from contamination is carried out in three successive steps:
- Unplug the PC from the outlet. First you need to turn off the computer and all devices connected to it. Do not clean the monitor while it is plugged in.
- Wipe the surface. The monitor should be wiped with a slightly damp cloth. Scrub the surface thoroughly, effortlessly.
- Repeated wiping of the monitor. When wiping the surface again, use a dry cloth or towel. Particular attention is paid to places where traces of stains are visible.
Instead of wet rags, you can use special towels specially designed for clean personal computer screens and laptops.
How to clean the mouse
Laser mice are often dirty and therefore need to be cleaned regularly to remove dirt. Most often, dirt particles accumulate on the peephole, which makes the device less efficient. When cleaning, the surface of the laser manipulator is wiped with a towel soaked in an alcohol solution. At the same time, you can not press the mouse so as not to break it.
To clean the inside of the device, you will need to remove the plastic casing. Then, using a cotton swab, gently wipe the microcircuit, the wheel and the inside of the casing.
Put away the keyboard
Cleaning of the keyboard surface is carried out at least once a month. This will prevent dust and debris from accumulating between the keys. during superficial cleaning keyboard you have to turn it upside down and shake it so that debris falls out. After that, between the keys, everything is thoroughly cleaned with a brush.
To clean the inside of the keyboard, you will need to remove each key and blow everything out with a vacuum cleaner.
Useful tips and prevention
The system unit needs proper care, so you need to wipe it from dust 1-2 times a month. First of all, it is necessary to clean the outer walls of the unit so that dust from the outside does not get inside. Then you need to vacuum the inside and wipe with a brush.
Once every 3-4 months, it is necessary to disassemble the power supply, since dust also accumulates there, which often gets inside the system unit. When cleaning the power supply, use a compressor, vacuum cleaner or air-type cleaner.
What not to use
Not all tools can be used to clean a personal computer from accumulated dirt, and therefore it is necessary to determine in advance what should not be used.
Damp rags and sponges
Some people think that the computer can be cleaned with damp sponges or cloths, but that is not the case. Cloths soaked in water should only be used to wipe down the exterior of the cabinet. It is contraindicated to wipe the inside with a damp cloth, as this can damage the motherboard.
Experts recommend using only sponges or dry cloths.
hair dryer
It's no secret that compressors or vacuum cleaners are often used to blow dust. However, some people do not have these devices and decide to use a household hair dryer instead. This cannot be done, since modern models of household hair dryers will only spread dust particles throughout the body, after which they will again settle on the surface of the processor, video card and other components .
Cotton swabs, towels
When cleaning hard-to-reach places on the motherboard from dust, some use wipes with cotton swabs. You should not use them, because in contact with sharp products, these materials begin to split. This leads to the fact that small particles of napkins and cotton swabs remain on the surface.
Instead, it is better to use a flannel cloth that does not split due to its tightness.
Ethanol
Do not use ethyl alcohol to wipe the monitor, mouse, keyboard and computer case. It contains components that contribute to the development of oxidation. If you wipe the monitor with a cloth soaked in such alcohol, the anti-reflective coating will be damaged.
Products containing ammonia, acetone, toluene
Toluene, acetone and ammonia can damage the motherboard, so do not use cleaning products containing these substances. Before using a dust collector, you should familiarize yourself with the components that make it up.
Conclusion
Owners of personal computers should periodically clean the system unit. Before that, you should understand the basic recommendations for cleaning the motherboard, mouse, keyboard and monitor, as well as familiarize yourself with ways to remove dust.