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iShift
Minmatar Republic University
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Posted - 2009.06.23 20:18:00 -
[1]
Neglected to clean my PC's mobo, graphics card etc for a while, so thought i might give it a going over. Nothing too thorough, not going to disassemble the thing. Just wondered if anyone had any reccomendations for brands of compressed air that i can safely use on my PC's insides. I found 1 can but when you shake it, it's obvious there's a liquid inside.. so im a bit scepticle at using it on my PC, incase bad things happen. Is this normal, when you spray it, it seems that the liquid evaporates almost instantly, my amazing high school science qualifications there, but im still worried about it damaging the PC. |
Feilamya
Pelennor Swarm THE KLINGONS
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Posted - 2009.06.23 20:45:00 -
[2]
Edited by: Feilamya on 23/06/2009 20:45:33 I never found any such thing as bottles of compressed air (but maybe I didn't look hard enough).
What I did find, and what seems to be quite common for this job, is a mixture of propane / butane gas. I used it, and it works. I was also assured in the shop that it's okay to use it on electronics (including mainboards), because it leaves no traces (I bought it at an electronics store, so I assume the sales guy knew what he was talking about).
However, be careful with this stuff! Pull the plug on your PC before you use it, and give your PC some time to cool down. Use it in a room with good ventilation (open the windows or go outside). Don't smoke, or you might end up with your PC in pieces, and your face a case for a plastic surgeon. |
Uzuki Shootmenow
Relentless Influence
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Posted - 2009.06.23 20:50:00 -
[3]
get one of those 12V-car-powered air compressors. I'm sure it comes with a set of nozzles, one with a small tip for cleaning stuff.
Propane ? you're kidding me, right... |
Meiyang Lee
Gallente Azteca Transportation Unlimited Gunboat Diplomacy
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Posted - 2009.06.23 21:00:00 -
[4]
Edited by: Meiyang Lee on 23/06/2009 21:01:11 Use the compressed air can in small bursts, then nothing should come out. Also, don't use it too long, since the can will rapidly cool (due to the expanding gas being thrown out), when it gets rather cold, just let it warm up a bit before continuing. The pressure drop from the ice cold can really doesn't help the cleaning either.
As for how dangerous it is to use in a PC, well, I'm typing this on a PC where I cleaned out all the heat sinks with a can of compressed air only last week, it's all still working. It's nice to be able to see the base of my CPU heat sink from the top again, rather than a mess of dust. |
KingsGambit
Caldari Knights
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Posted - 2009.06.23 22:44:00 -
[5]
Edited by: KingsGambit on 23/06/2009 22:48:17 The "air" inside the can is usually stored and compressed as a liquid, and become air as the nozzle is pressed and the pressure drops. I'm not exactly sure on the physics behind the why of it, but as the OP points out, it can occasionally come out as liquid (and should quite quickly evaporate). It's water free and non-conductive though so should not harm electrical or electronic items at all.
The only other way to sell such a product would be to use actual air and aerosol and it wouldn't contain near as much gas, unless it was really high pressure. I can't remember the type of gas that's used, but it's not straight air, like you get with a scuba tank (ie. nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide). Something-flouroethane...along those lines anyway (it may well say on the can). It's fine for dusting a PC, even if the liquid comes out, so no need to fear. As suggested, use in short bursts and when it starts to get really cold, leave it be for a while, then use again and avoid using upside down. Originally by: Feilamya What I did find, and what seems to be quite common for this job, is a mixture of propane / butane gas. I used it, and it works.
Are you in seriousness, suggesting he use propane to dust his PC? Maybe if you're Jack Bauer or Chuck Norris... |
Sniper Wolf18
Gallente A Pretty Pony Princess General Tso's Alliance
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Posted - 2009.06.23 22:56:00 -
[6]
Originally by: Uzuki Shootmenow
Propane ? you're kidding me, right...
Just use a metric ****ton of the stuff, then there isn't enough oxygen in the rook for it to burn in...breathing may be a problem though... |
Viktor Fyretracker
Caldari Fyretracker Heavy Industries
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Posted - 2009.06.23 23:28:00 -
[7]
canned air is great, unless ya have access to a compressor in which case they usually have nozzles for that and it will never have to be stopped for the can icing up. can also combine with a shopvac to keep the dust down once it is blown free. |
Xen Gin
Solar Excavations Ultd. Black Sun Alliance
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Posted - 2009.06.23 23:30:00 -
[8]
I actually use a hoover with a soft bristle attachment. Instead of pushing things around with compressed air, the hoover gets rid of it. |
Reven Cordelle
Caldari Yamainu-Mirai Heavy Industries
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Posted - 2009.06.24 08:37:00 -
[9]
I take mine outside and blast it out with an Air Compressor.
Dust absolutely everywhere (Hence why I take it outside)- but it gets it pretty clean.
Canned air isn't great, it just doesn't last very long. However, the only time you'll get liquid out of the can is if you spray for too long, or turn it upside-down.
Spraying for too long will be noticable, as the can will probably have frozen to your hand by the time you realise. Turning the can upside-down will usually make it jet out liquid-gas, but it'll evaporate quickly and won't hurt the hardware.
Still, if you're going to be using a PC for any length of time - I suggest investing in a small air compressor with an air lance attachment, then you can just blast away as much as you want with no fear of liquid or freezing. A decent pressure will really get into the nooks and crannies of heatsinks and fan blades.
You'll be disturbed at how much dust comes out of a PC after a good clean, so definately clean it outside.
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Aioa
Planetary Assault Systems
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Posted - 2009.06.24 11:16:00 -
[10]
The air compressor sounds like a good idea, Rev. Something like this? |
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Reven Cordelle
Caldari Yamainu-Mirai Heavy Industries
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Posted - 2009.06.24 11:32:00 -
[11]
Originally by: Aioa The air compressor sounds like a good idea, Rev. Something like this?
In honesty - something more like this.
The one you've linked is more or less an inflator which doesn't have a whole lot of pressure or volume behind it. You really need a compressor that compresses air into a reservoir, high pressure air with a lot of volume, on tap.
Combine that compressor with something like this and you have similar to what I use on mine.
It looks a bit much - but it'll pay for itself in a few cleans, plus you can use it for a ton of other stuff other than dust removal.
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Aioa
Planetary Assault Systems
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Posted - 2009.06.24 11:41:00 -
[12]
Cool, thanks man...and yeah it looks like it'd be a generally useful/fun thing to have about the place. --
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Reven Cordelle
Caldari Yamainu-Mirai Heavy Industries
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Posted - 2009.06.24 11:49:00 -
[13]
Originally by: Aioa Cool, thanks man...and yeah it looks like it'd be a generally useful/fun thing to have about the place.
Aye, though I insert a disclaimer here that I'm not to be held responsible in the event of you giving yourself an Arterial Gas Embolism. :3
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Nuala Reece
Caldari Pilots of Damnation death from above..
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Posted - 2009.06.24 13:22:00 -
[14]
Originally by: Xen Gin I actually use a hoover with a soft bristle attachment. Instead of pushing things around with compressed air, the hoover gets rid of it.
Is that actually a good idea? I read that vacuum cleaners move the air too quickly and can cause a static charge to build up, not to mention that if the bristles are nylon they can build up static from rubbing against things. thought that was why compressed air was preferable. |
Doctor Penguin
Amarr Heavy Influence Aggression.
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Posted - 2009.06.24 13:33:00 -
[15]
You can use the compressor to blow up balloons, too. Very handy for parties. |
ReaperOfSly
Gallente 3P1C F41L
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Posted - 2009.06.24 14:03:00 -
[16]
Air compressors? You DO have a pair of lungs and a mouth don't you? |
Blane Xero
Amarr The Firestorm Cartel
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Posted - 2009.06.24 14:05:00 -
[17]
Originally by: ReaperOfSly Air compressors? You DO have a pair of lungs and a mouth don't you?
Yeah, i keep'em in the fridge. |
Viktor Fyretracker
Caldari Fyretracker Heavy Industries
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Posted - 2009.06.24 21:59:00 -
[18]
but the real question is...
does "Busting make you feel good".....
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Elena Khan
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Posted - 2009.06.25 22:27:00 -
[19]
dyson vacumm cleaner with the bristly attachment 4tw...
failing that then a paint brush is good for the fiddly bits. and if all else fails then you'll have to pull the heat sinks off and wash the gunk out of the grills |
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