Cleaning a mobo

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bradley Dick
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Bradley Dick

I read in a PC magazine that it is normal to clean a mobo filled with dust
with plain tap water.

Can anyone confirm this?
 
Hi,

Ummmm, no, water and electronics does not mix. If you want to clean your
MoBo, then just use compressed air that you can buy from any computer or
electronics store. Only liquid that is used to clean any electronic devices
is usually cleaning alcohol, that is used to remove any flux residue during
componet soldiering. Never use water on a electronic componet.

Jeff
 
Bradley said:
I read in a PC magazine that it is normal to clean a mobo filled with
dust with plain tap water.

Can anyone confirm this?
Click to expand...

It's normal to clean your hair dryer in the shower...
Right?

(Computer Components - Compressed (MOISTURE-FREE) gas/air.)
 
jeffrey said:
Hi,

Ummmm, no, water and electronics does not mix. If you want to clean your
MoBo, then just use compressed air that you can buy from any computer or
electronics store. Only liquid that is used to clean any electronic devices
is usually cleaning alcohol, that is used to remove any flux residue during
componet soldiering. Never use water on a electronic componet.

Jeff
Click to expand...

White spirits is non conductive and I feel pretty safe waving it
around electrical stuff
 
I smell a troll....make that a wet troll....

For those of you who are new and learning...do not ever pay any attention to
anything this idiot posts.

He couldn't read it in a PC magazine...if he is so stupid as to believe it,
then he is too stupid to read.

Bobby
 
Yes...it's perfectly acceptable. You'll notice better results if the
motherboard is still plugged it to the PCU with the power turned on. This
will give you a heads-up for any leaking voltages...etc. Voltage drops can
be quickly recognized, by spraying or misting a minute amount of acetone or
naptha near or directly into the PCU (with power on of course). Oh yes,
please ensure that the PCU is warmed up to normal operating
temperatures...the hotter the better.


anyway, results will vary....good luck.
 
I smell a troll....make that a wet troll....
Click to expand...

You smell the mess in your own pants. Get back to the subject.
For those of you who are new and learning...do not ever pay any attention to
anything this idiot posts.

He couldn't read it in a PC magazine...if he is so stupid as to believe it,
then he is too stupid to read.
Click to expand...

This talks about computer cleaning.

http://www.pcmag.co.uk/features/1153102

But not any water on electronics.

Water to dampen a rag for plastic surfaces is okay.
 
Actually a fire hose would be better, or perhaps just dunking the whole
thing in your swimming pool overnight. Chlorine cleans a lot of things.

Now, really, you are joking, aren't you? But in all seriousness, water and
electronics are a very dangerous combination. The only time it should be
used is a few drops on a clean cloth to wipe fingerprints off of the
monitor. For the inside of the case, use compressed air that is sold in cans
at all computer stores.
 
Bradley Dick said:
I read in a PC magazine that it is normal to clean a mobo
filled with dust
with plain tap water.
Can anyone confirm this?
Click to expand...

I can't confirm the plain tap water but I have heard you can
get very good results putting the mobo in the dishwasher on
the "rinse" cycle.
 
Circuit boards can be cleaned with DE-ionized water in an ultrasound
cleaner. Any other water will leave residue and then you are up a creek.
 
Hi Dewey,

I think a strong electro-magnet would be better. Just get one of those huge
industrial types, ones that can drag a battleship from miles away. That
will pull any dust off the board.

Jeff
 
Distilled water is fine.
Remove all power and batteries first.
Let the board dry completely before applying power.
 
Hi,

All kidding aside, have been both an electrical engineer and electronics
technician, I would stay away from any type of water. I always used a type
of cleaning alcohol on electronics parts to clean them, especially after
doing componet repairs. The alcohol evaporates almost immediately and is
considered the safest and best way to clean circut boards of most types.
But for most computer users, can of compressed air is the safest, both to
the user and the computer. I wouldn`t use a vacuum inside the computer,
since static electricity can come from the vacuum brush if you try to use
directly on the MoBo.

Jeff
 
Well, there is a problem with "Canned Air"........!!!
Canned Air can sometimes cause a "Static Electricity" discharge and FATALLY
RUIN the CPU and MB Chipsets. This can also be caused by "Vacuuming" the
electronic parts.
I have found "gentle" cleaning with (clean) Q-Tips dipped in alcohol changed
frequently, will provide the necessary cleaning safely. As most modern MB's
are composed of 3 to 5 layers of circuit board, I wouldn't use water (even
distilled) as it may lead to separation of the layer strata.

Lawrence at lawrence systems dot com
 
And while you are at it, get a sledge hammer and strike the Hard Disk a
couple of times. YOU know, like they kick TVs into life! THAT will loosen
off all that accumulated dust. <G>
 
I wouldn't use the alcohol either - I'd mix it with orange juice - Drink
about 8 or 10 of them - Then walk through a carwash naked holding my
motherboard.
 
Board assembly houses use distilled, de-ionized water.
You're unlikely to have this handy, but distilled is fine for the home game.
 
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