On Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:19:28 -0700, Ken Blake
wrote:

On Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:43:36 -0500, Char Jackson
wrote:

On Tue, 17 Apr 2012 08:46:17 -0700, Ken Blake
wrote:

On Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:15:55 -0300, pjp
wrote:

Sorry the top post but want to insure you

1st - vacuum it out insuring the heat sinks are cleared


You should *never* use a vacuum cleaner inside a computer. If you do
so, you run the risk of a static electricity discharge frying the
motherboard.

I agree in theory, but in practice I'm not nearly so strict. I've used
a vacuum cleaner well over a thousand times over the years and never
had a problem. Like registry cleaners, though, there is always a risk.
I minimize or eliminate that risk by leaving the PC plugged into the
AC outlet and periodically touching the wand to the PC's case during
the cleaning operation. That's how they taught it in my Air Force tech
school some 40 years ago and it works well.


My view is to avoid risk whenever you can. But we are obviously
different in this regard.

There are different levels of risk.

Much more effective, however, is using compressed air instead of a
vacuum. It's a lot messier, blowing dust bunnies everywhere and best
done outdoors, but it's much more effective.

Instead, blow out the dust with a can of compressed air.

Cans of compressed air have less than a tenth of the pressure and
volume that I need, so I use an air compressor. I limit the output to
about 30-40 PSI and I'm done in no time.

An air compressor is fine, but very few of us have one. So for all
practical purposes, canned air is what's best.

That would be fine if canned air worked, but in my view it doesn't. It
only dislodges a tiny fraction of what needs to be removed. Still, if
it's all you have, you don't have much choice.

--

Char Jackson