Subscribe by EmailComputer maintenance, or archaeological dig?
July 1, 2007 by Chip | 4 commentsRich posted this album on Picasa, showing the filthy interior of a computer he was given to fix. Note the huge spider web stretching from the upper left corner to the lower right.
My favorite comment was from Demens: “You should thank the spider for keeping your PC safe from bugs.”
Hank’s quip made me shudder: “i work at a hospital, i’ve seen much worse” — so much for sterile environments.
On the Digg page, Rich asks “When was the last time you cleaned the inside of your computer?”
I have to admit, I only open my boxes whenever I need to change out some hardware. Fortunately for me, that occurs frequently enough that the dust bunnies don’t get big enough to consider staging a coup. While I’m in there, I break out the compressed air and the mini-vac to disperse their little cadre. I don’t think I’ve ever let one of my computers get as bad as this one, but I’ve seen some specimens from friends and family that would challenge the title. Why is it always the pro bono work that ends up being the most disgusting?
Eric Brasseur provides some unique suggestions for dealing with computer dust, including a plan to completely seal the case!
Do you regularly clean the inside of your computers? Do you try to keep their environment dust-free to avoid build-up within? Do you have any tips to add?
- ASK [GAS] : What was your first computer and how did it change your life?
- Would you like my dog to hump your computer?
- Worm Causes Computer to Crash
- Apple Multi-Touch Tablet Computer?
There’s no way I can completely keep my environment free of dust, so I know I have to clean it. I usually do that once a month to two months.
As for tips? I’ve got a fan that blows into the case from the side, and a fan on top of the case that blows all the hot air out, creating a “jet stream.” It seems to help keep the dust from sticking too long.
So do you have your own custom case, or did it come with vents in those locations?
That’s about the worst I’ve ever seen. I’ve got to admit I’m one of those who only opens my own cases when I’m changing something. I’ve had cobwebs before but nothing like that. I guess it goes along with the old saying that auto mechanics have the worst cars.
I was just starting out working on TV.s a number of years ago. When I opened the back of an old console TV. and could not see any components, just peaks and valleys of dust, how it never cought fire is any-ones quess.