cleaning of I/O connectors in used motherboard

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jason Gallas
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Jason Gallas

I received a motherboard from a friend recently. It's pretty nice
except for the fact that the I/O connectors are dusty and dirty. Is
it safe to clean these with a light solvent/cleaner? If so, what kind
and how to apply?
 
Jason Gallas said:
I received a motherboard from a friend recently. It's pretty nice
except for the fact that the I/O connectors are dusty and dirty. Is
it safe to clean these with a light solvent/cleaner? If so, what kind
and how to apply?
Click to expand...

Get an air duster from Staples or any office supply store. Blow them out
with that. If that doesn't do the trick, try Q-tips and rubbing
lcohol. -Dave
 
:
::>I received a motherboard from a friend recently. It's pretty nice
:> except for the fact that the I/O connectors are dusty and dirty. Is
:> it safe to clean these with a light solvent/cleaner? If so, what kind
:> and how to apply?
:>
:
:Get an air duster from Staples or any office supply store. Blow them out
:with that. If that doesn't do the trick, try Q-tips and rubbing
:lcohol. -Dave

Yeah, that is what I was thinking. Rubbing alchohol.
 
Be sure you get the 90% alchohol and not the 70% "Rubbing " alchohol.
The 70% has oils mixed in with it to be more tolorant to the skin and
these will deposite on your metal (any) surfances and make for a
lousey connection.
 
Be sure you get the 90% alchohol and not the 70% "Rubbing " alchohol.
The 70% has oils mixed in with it to be more tolorant to the skin and
these will deposite on your metal (any) surfances and make for a
lousey connection.
Click to expand...

You're better off with denatured alcohol, used to cut shellac, from a paint
store. No additional ingredients to stay behind.
 
I received a motherboard from a friend recently. It's pretty nice
except for the fact that the I/O connectors are dusty and dirty. Is
it safe to clean these with a light solvent/cleaner? If so, what kind
and how to apply?
Click to expand...

No. Use a can of clean compressed air ($5 at WalMart). I use this to
clean off motherboard, fans, air intakes, PS, chips, etc every 6
months. Use quick short bursts of air. You want to avoid touching
components with little as possible to avoid damage.
 
get yourself a couple of tiny paint brushes (camel hair or some non
nylon) and a can of tuner cleaner...non lubricating kind.
q-tips are cool but they shed
 
Jason Gallas said:
I received a motherboard from a friend recently. It's pretty nice
except for the fact that the I/O connectors are dusty and dirty. Is
it safe to clean these with a light solvent/cleaner? If so, what kind
and how to apply?
Click to expand...

Radio Shack, electronics supplies, hardware stores, and auto parts
stores sell spray contact cleaners, but some are harmful to plastics,
especially vinyl (wiring insulation) and ABS (computer cabinets), even
when labelled "safe or plastics" (test by spraying styrofoam). Sprays
containing mostly ethyl or isopropyl alcohol and no acetone are the
safest. Alcohol from a bottle must be at least 90% pure, as common
70% alcohol contains too much water and will cause corrosion (apply
some to a non-porous surface, wipe it off, and notice the water
droplets).
 
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