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#16
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In article ,
Leythos wrote: On Tue, 12 Apr 2005 00:07:04 -0700, Michael Solomon (MS-MVP) wrote: This is a blower and this blower has no exposed metal parts including the nozzles, no brush nozzle attachment either. Canned air can leave a residue which over time can build up. Any vac, used in any mode (blower/vac), which has a ungrounded hose to provide the air, can and almost always does, generate static of some level. The simple physics are that a wand like they provide in those cheap units is going to give a much higher chance of a bad experience. I used compressed, dry, air, from a compressor set to 50PSI, when I clean cases. In a pinch I will use a normal compressor if the air appears to be clean and water free. If you are grounded, and holding a nozzle (even a vac hose) at the end, it would discharge any static, but most people unplug their computer, move it, open it, and clean it. If users take proper precautions, ground themselves by touching something metal before they open the case and wear a static discharge band as well, they should not have a problem. The danger should be no greater than the simple process of opening the case to use canned air or to install a soundcard, graphics card or anything else that requires the user to open the case. While I own two static bands, I've never seen anyone else that owns even one, not in 40 years. The only people I know that own them are people that have been through ESD training, and not many residential users have :-) Good advice, above. I own a static strap and use it if: I'm working inside on a server with parts cost a week's wage, or spares are not on hand and I'll be fired if I can't get the system I'm working on back online by deadline when the dawn comes up. If the customer is watching me and I don't want any coulda or hindsight if the server dies a day later. The strap is just for show. If the part I'm handling costs more than I feel like paying for out of pocket. Remeber; Static discharge below the level of perceptability can damage a component, and the effect can be delayed. -- a d y k e s @ p a n i x . c o m Don't blame me. I voted for Gore. |
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#17
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I agree fully. I should have made that point about properly grounding
yourself in my original post. -- 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/ "Leythos" wrote in message ... On Tue, 12 Apr 2005 00:07:04 -0700, Michael Solomon (MS-MVP) wrote: This is a blower and this blower has no exposed metal parts including the nozzles, no brush nozzle attachment either. Canned air can leave a residue which over time can build up. Any vac, used in any mode (blower/vac), which has a ungrounded hose to provide the air, can and almost always does, generate static of some level. The simple physics are that a wand like they provide in those cheap units is going to give a much higher chance of a bad experience. I used compressed, dry, air, from a compressor set to 50PSI, when I clean cases. In a pinch I will use a normal compressor if the air appears to be clean and water free. If you are grounded, and holding a nozzle (even a vac hose) at the end, it would discharge any static, but most people unplug their computer, move it, open it, and clean it. If users take proper precautions, ground themselves by touching something metal before they open the case and wear a static discharge band as well, they should not have a problem. The danger should be no greater than the simple process of opening the case to use canned air or to install a soundcard, graphics card or anything else that requires the user to open the case. While I own two static bands, I've never seen anyone else that owns even one, not in 40 years. The only people I know that own them are people that have been through ESD training, and not many residential users have :-) -- remove 999 in order to email me |
#18
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We have serious dust problems in our area. There's never a time when I can
go beyond 2 or 3 weeks max. without cleaning all the computers in the house. I built the computers we use and 1 has 5 cooling fans, 1 has 6 cooling fans and mine has 8. So there is a huge amount of air movement in these computers. Hence, dust buildup is very frequent. In my opinion dust is rated as one of the top enemies of technology. It is a great friend to heat and the heat is a great enemey to computers. I've tried every method I can imagine to find the best solution to clean them out. Canned air....try using around 6 cans for 3 computers every 2 or 3 weeks....way expensive. So I bought a 2 or 3 gallon air tank at WalMart for around $17. It takes a quarter to fill it and with some serious brushing with a good auto parts brush, the tank will do 2 computers. There has never been an issue with moisture using this method. But.....I've finally found the best solution I believe possible for cleaning the dust and dirt out. I remove both side panels, take it outside on the workbench or picnic table and blow it out with my leaf blower. Go ahead and laugh, everyone that I've told gets a good laugh about it.....but believe me it works beautifully. Always check to make sure you don't have any loose components or such before you start. I have my wife hold the cooling fan blades with the handle of my cleaning brush to prevent them from spinning.....I'm afraid they may spin so fast it could create possible damage. After cleaning the area around the fan blade she is holding, she moves her brush handle on to the next cooling fan, etc. You have zero moisture to worry about. You have zero brushing to do and every spec of dust and dirt is removed. Even from those areas like inside the cd trays, etc. that you had a hard time getting to before. YES.....let me be perfectly clear, YOU MUST USE CAUTION! Make no mistake about it, if you're not careful you can do some very serious damage. It's much like going to the car wash and using a very high pressure sprayer, any knucklehead knows you don't put the tip of the wand right up to the car surface....doh...you'll be removing paint, not the dirt and mud. Just remember you have total control over the leaf blower and you don't have to stick it right against the graphics card or power supply to remove the debris. And you don't have to rev it up like you're getting ready to race, just take your time and get the feel of it and you'll quickly realize how and where to use that trigger finger. Oh, with this method it takes longer to remove and replace the sides than the actual cleaning job. Take care and good luck, Rob. |
#19
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Ahhhhhh......wow, you are so right. I never even thought about all the
potential static electricity all the brushing creates. Great point and thank you very much for that post. That's the great part about these forums, you can learn something new no matter what level of experience you have. Take care, Rob. |
#20
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Piece of air conditioner foam filter taped over the fan hole! Works great.
-- Regards, Richard Urban aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard :-) If you knew as much as you thought you know, You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew! "Newbie" wrote in message ... I have your basic ATX form setup with one side fan, 1 rear. I don't have any additional fans beyond this. I've noticed my side fan is a culprit for quick dust buildup. Anyone have any suggestions for cutting the dust buildup? |
#21
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Leythos wrote: While I own two static bands, I've never seen anyone else that owns even one, not in 40 years. The only people I know that own them are people that have been through ESD training, and not many residential users have :-) We can still try - I sell PC components on ebay, and all ship with a disposable strap and a note saying the DOA warranty is void if the buyer fails to use it. |
#22
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Rob wrote: But.....I've finally found the best solution I believe possible for cleaning the dust and dirt out. I remove both side panels, take it outside on the workbench or picnic table and blow it out with my leaf blower. Go ahead and laugh, everyone that I've told gets a good laugh about it.....but believe me it works beautifully. I take them outside and use the shop-vac on blow - same idea, works great, but I wear an anti-static strap and hold the end of the nozzle just in case. Always check to make sure you don't have any loose components or such before you start. I have my wife hold the cooling fan blades with the handle of my cleaning brush to prevent them from spinning.....I'm afraid they may spin so fast it could create possible damage. After cleaning the area around the fan blade she is holding, she moves her brush handle on to the next cooling fan, etc. I deliberately spin the fans as fast as possible as it gets the crud off the underside of the blades without using a brush. I've been doing it for years, never had a problem with fan damage. |
#23
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Well, based on everything that was said, I can see there is much a
difference of opinions on this issue. I do feel that I will try Mr. Michael Solomon's idea of blowing out the case from the product at Cyberguys. "Newbie" wrote in message ... I have your basic ATX form setup with one side fan, 1 rear. I don't have any additional fans beyond this. I've noticed my side fan is a culprit for quick dust buildup. Anyone have any suggestions for cutting the dust buildup? |
#24
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Newbie, be sure to make note of and pay heed to the issue of static
electricity as mentioned in this thread. Cyberguys also sells antistatic wrist straps and they are relatively inexpensive. They sell both cord and cordless. The corded type uses a ground wire that must be attached to something metal, the cordless type must be put on about 15 minutes prior to doing any work in order for it to properly discharge static electricity: http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/SearchAll.asp?s=SA -- 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/ "Newbie" wrote in message ... Well, based on everything that was said, I can see there is much a difference of opinions on this issue. I do feel that I will try Mr. Michael Solomon's idea of blowing out the case from the product at Cyberguys. "Newbie" wrote in message ... I have your basic ATX form setup with one side fan, 1 rear. I don't have any additional fans beyond this. I've noticed my side fan is a culprit for quick dust buildup. Anyone have any suggestions for cutting the dust buildup? |
#25
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Good point. Unfortunately, there's not always something around to which you
can attach the ground wire but I agree, the corded type is better. -- 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/ "Leythos" wrote in message ... On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 12:33:23 -0700, Michael Solomon (MS-MVP) wrote: the cordless type must be put on about 15 minutes prior to doing any work in order for it to properly discharge static electricity: I read the description of it on their site, the only place I would use something like that is sitting at a bench, not leaving the bench, and in a room that is designed to be static free - in other words, I would not trust it to protect anyone in a home/soho setting. -- remove 999 in order to email me |
#26
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Michael,
So, would this be a good corded antistatic strap? http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/s...search=&child= "Michael Solomon (MS-MVP)" wrote in message ... Newbie, be sure to make note of and pay heed to the issue of static electricity as mentioned in this thread. Cyberguys also sells antistatic wrist straps and they are relatively inexpensive. They sell both cord and cordless. The corded type uses a ground wire that must be attached to something metal, the cordless type must be put on about 15 minutes prior to doing any work in order for it to properly discharge static electricity: http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/SearchAll.asp?s=SA -- 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/ "Newbie" wrote in message ... Well, based on everything that was said, I can see there is much a difference of opinions on this issue. I do feel that I will try Mr. Michael Solomon's idea of blowing out the case from the product at Cyberguys. "Newbie" wrote in message ... I have your basic ATX form setup with one side fan, 1 rear. I don't have any additional fans beyond this. I've noticed my side fan is a culprit for quick dust buildup. Anyone have any suggestions for cutting the dust buildup? |
#27
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Yes it would, I thought about that after I pressed send. I was thinking in
terms of most home offices having mostly composite materials which can make finding a proper ground problematic. Personally, I tend to prefer not to leave the computer plugged in when opening the system. That said, the case being metal, could you not attach ground wire to the part of the case you remove to open it? -- 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/ "Leythos" wrote in message ... On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 16:10:30 -0700, Michael Solomon (MS-MVP) wrote: Good point. Unfortunately, there's not always something around to which you can attach the ground wire but I agree, the corded type is better. If you leave the computer plugged into the wall outlet, with a proper grounded plug/outlet, the case/PSU should be grounded - touching it will discharge the static. -- remove 999 in order to email me |
#28
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It should be all right but you probably should call cyberguys, I believe
they have a toll free number listed at their website and check with them about the concerns raised by Leythos. -- 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/ "Newbie" wrote in message ... Michael, So, would this be a good corded antistatic strap? http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/s...search=&child= "Michael Solomon (MS-MVP)" wrote in message ... Newbie, be sure to make note of and pay heed to the issue of static electricity as mentioned in this thread. Cyberguys also sells antistatic wrist straps and they are relatively inexpensive. They sell both cord and cordless. The corded type uses a ground wire that must be attached to something metal, the cordless type must be put on about 15 minutes prior to doing any work in order for it to properly discharge static electricity: http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/SearchAll.asp?s=SA -- 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/ "Newbie" wrote in message ... Well, based on everything that was said, I can see there is much a difference of opinions on this issue. I do feel that I will try Mr. Michael Solomon's idea of blowing out the case from the product at Cyberguys. "Newbie" wrote in message ... I have your basic ATX form setup with one side fan, 1 rear. I don't have any additional fans beyond this. I've noticed my side fan is a culprit for quick dust buildup. Anyone have any suggestions for cutting the dust buildup? |
#29
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Thanks Leythos and thank you for your contributions to this thread, most
enlightening. -- 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/ "Leythos" wrote in message ... On Fri, 15 Apr 2005 13:08:59 -0700, Michael Solomon (MS-MVP) wrote: Yes it would, I thought about that after I pressed send. I was thinking in terms of most home offices having mostly composite materials which can make finding a proper ground problematic. Personally, I tend to prefer not to leave the computer plugged in when opening the system. That said, the case being metal, could you not attach ground wire to the part of the case you remove to open it? You can leave the computer plugged into the wall, turn off the power switch on the PSU itself (there is almost always a switch on the PSU on quality units) or disconnect the power connections from the MB if you want, but the safest method is to just allow the electrical ground provided by the PSU to the case, to remain in place so that you don't have to purchase/do anything, it's already grounded. In almost 30 years of working with electronics I've never fried anything with static, and with computers being left connected to the power (with power off) I've never damaged one yet. -- remove 999 in order to email me |
#30
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In article ,
Leythos wrote: 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/s...&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/skuima...-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. -- a d y k e s @ p a n i x . c o m Don't blame me. I voted for Gore. |
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