PC Dust buildup

[Al Dykes]

I got an email about using one of those little computer vac's and blower
units to clean systems, here is what I responded - in case anyone is
interested.

The question was about this device:
Can you recommend the best antistatic products and steps I should use when
I use this product below?

http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/searchdetail.asp?T1=114+0570&dept=&search=&child


Here is my reply:

There isn't enough information available for the product you selected for
me to know if the unit it going to generate static. What I can see is that
it uses a standard 2 prong electrical cord, which means that it does not
have the "earth ground" prong (the third one), so that also means that it
might not properly discharge any static if it were to create it.

When it comes to static and cleaning, I use a poof-can or a real air
compressor - the cans are metal and if I'm grounded I know that the can is
too (since it conducts through my body). With the compressor, it has a
metal fitting at the end of the hose, so the same applies, if I'm grounded
so is the air exiting the nozzle.

When it comes to cleaning a computer, via air (inside or out) or via rag
(only on the outside of the case), I just leave the electrical cord
connected, turn the power off at the PSU and on the front - remember, the
new P4 units almost always have power to the motherboard unless you can
turn off the power on the PSU (the switch I was talking about)

If you look at this power supply, just below the AV power connector there
is a small black flip-switch, this would turn off the power and stop the
supply to the motherboard:
http://images.tigerdirect.com/skuimages/large/P456-4000-main.jpg at the
same time, it leaves the computer properly grounded so you can use it as a
good static discharge point (the case).

When I hand ANYONE an electronic part, even if they have an ESD strap, I
always touch them with my finger first - this puts us at the same charge
level, so the part I'm handing them doesn't get zapped.

When I put a new motherboard in a computer, I take the box (unopened) to
the computer, touch the case frequently while opening the box and the ESD
bag containing the motherboard, then only handle the motherboard directly
once I've touched the case while also holding the ESD bag right before
removing the motherboard. I touch the case frequently while working with
the motherboard in order to maintain a static free install.

Moving air, by definition, creates electrostatic buildup. Grounding
the vac doesn't prevent it and grounding the vac and the PC just
provides an easy path for the discharge. Static below the threshold of
perception can damage IC components and the effects of damage may not
be immediate. An all-metal vac and a wire between the nozzle and the
chassis would probbaly be safe but I've never seen that.

I use a can of air instead of a power vac and use a wrist strap on any
part or system when I may get fired if it ceases to function.

I can't say with any expertese why a can of compressed air is safer
but I'll guess it's because (a) it's used intermittantly and
accumulates very little charge (b) there is no electric motor with
arcing commutator brushes that generate lots of lose electrons and (c)
It's cold and these is enough local humidity to dissapate the
charge. Maybe all three.

I agree that static damage is unlikely, but why take chances.

 

[Newbie]

Michael,

What do you think of this product compared to the one you mentioned?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1032126&CatId=41

It seems a bit stronger (5HP vs .5HP the cyberguys product).

What do you do to prepare yourself when you blow out your case? I want to
make sure I am prepared. I know there was a lot of strong opinion about this
and I would like to know what you do.

Thanks

Can you list specific products

 

[Leythos]

Michael,

What do you think of this product compared to the one you mentioned?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1032126&CatId=41

It seems a bit stronger (5HP vs .5HP the cyberguys product).

I like this one:

http://www.chpower.com/chimages/catalog/active/comp_WL6117_216x500.gif

Just kidding

 

[Sunny]

Michael,

What do you think of this product compared to the one you mentioned?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1032126&CatId=41

It seems a bit stronger (5HP vs .5HP the cyberguys product).

5HP in the heading is a misprint. Scroll down to Specifications and you
will find it is also .5HP

 

[Richard Urban]

Look closely. It is .5 HP. A 5 HP motor would need 220-440 volts to run.

--
Regards,

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

As Richard has pointed out, the two vac units are equivalent and frankly,
you don't really need much more "blow" power than that. Also, I use a
nozzle with a nice round opening instead of one that is concentrated. You
don't want to use a concentrated stream that might actually damage something
delicate. You just want decent air flow through the box. You don't even
have to move it into the case, just hover above the open case and I
guarantee it will blow it out. This blower is pretty powerful, powerful
enough to blow the nozzle right off the blower so I'm careful to hold the
blower by the handle and where the nozzle is affixed to the blower and I
just hover it in a more or less circular motion above the case.

I take standard precautions, much as I would any time I open the case to
change an add-in card and even if I'm wearing a wristband, I always touch
some metal before touching the case in order to make sure I've discharged
any static charge I might be carrying at the time.

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol.

Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/communities/mvp.aspx
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

 

[namniar]

If you look closely they are the same product with different labelling.
Cyberguys has more (and maybe useless??!) attachments.

r.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

Correct, as they pertain to blowing dust out of a PC case, the other
attachments are useless. At least I find all but the primary attachment
with circular opening to be useless in that regard. However, you may find
other uses for this blower and some of those attachments are useful in other
areas in which you might use some of the other attachments.

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol.

Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/communities/mvp.aspx
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

 

[Ray_GTIR]

>>>> Anyone have any suggestions for cutting the dust buildup?
>

I'm experimenting with this and it seems most existing cases are proper "rattlers" (poor fit of side panels etc) & colanders (extraneous holes & slots in every concevable panel).

My first step was to cut a 120mm hole in the plastic front bezel at the bottom front face of the case and fit a removable 120mm dust filter. Same on an 80mm side panel. Both holes have fans fitted behind them, to "encourage dust into the filters". That wasn't enough.

I then taped a j-cloth to cover (but not block) the 3-400 tiny side-panel ventilation holes on the motherboard side of the case. This can be removed & cleaned very easily. That wasn't enough.

So I put thin plastic tape over every slot/hole/grill in the case (Note: do NOT use sellotape-like material, which gets brittle over time - I used a tough, sticky flexible tape, much like electrical insulating tape but stickier). I also added a 6-inch long dust "landing pad" in the bottom of the case. It's double-sided tape just trimmed to tack on the case, the other side has all the sticky surface exposet to trap dust/hair & anything else that settles on it. Quite good, but something else was letting in dust.

As I mentioned the case sides aren't airtight. I will look into that soon but it's not a big problem.

What I found was that the open ports let in dust. (And when not cleaned prior to use the ports can become erratic, causing error messages etc!). So I found some USB dust caps and that's pretty much all I need to do. Do a search on Ebay ... they're for sale in the UK now (June 2005)

HTH, Ray

 

[Tweak]

#1 way of keeping dust out of your computer...

KEEP IT OFF THE FLOOR AND KEEP IT UP HIGH!

All the dust settles to the bottom of your house. If you keep it up in
a space that doesnt get too dusty and off the floor then you won't have
that prob. I keep my comp up on my desk in a spot where it wont get too
much dust and i only half to clean it like 1 every 2 months...even then
i only half to clean it a lil bit...

 

[Ray_GTIR]

KEEP IT OFF THE FLOOR AND KEEP IT UP HIGH!
Tweak

I know what you mean, Tweak ... but there are always compromises to be made. Here are a few things to consider;-

* the higher the box, the warmer the ambient air. Apparently, the worst place is on a desk in a top-floor bedroom
* stretching whilst seated is an ergonomic no-no. Whether it's the on/off swtich, CD and/or diskette drive.
* noise! I cannot imagine having a set of fans at ear level - it'd drive me mad!

Better advice;- cold air is at the lowest level in a room, normally. So, keep the box low for the best ambient temperature conditions. (The top of my desk is currently at 23.2C, the (lower) desk shelf that my box is sitting on is at 21.6C. That's where the main inlet fan/filter is situated.) Also, keep the frequently-used buttons close and at waist level.

All of my boxes are about 2"/50mm off ground level and all the buttons are within arm's reach of my mouse.

All the dust settles to the bottom of your house.
Tweak

Apparently, "all" the dust settles mainly on flat surfaces. At whatever level the flat surface is at! Otherwise, it settles on surfaces that have static electricity buildup like screens, filters, fan blades etc. Note: moving air causes static buildup.

Finally, the point about filters, dust caps and whatever is to trap or prevent "in-flight" dust from getting into your box, i.e., before it has settled.