I can't believe how expensive canned air is. Is there some reason I couldn't just use an air compresser on a low setting to clean out my computer's interior?

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One nuclear bomb could wreck your whole day.

You can use a vacuum cleaner...

I hope there isn't, since that's exactly what I do.

I believe it's just that, as a rule an air compressor costs much more than a can of air (even though, as you noted, cans of air are horrendously overpriced) and lots of computer using people have no other use for an air compressor so they just buy the air.

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Negative do not use a vacuum cleaner to clean out your computer. There is a huge static charge that builds up in the hose and you can and will fry your machine.

The problem with using a compressor is the little bits of metal that are shaved off the compressor piston and they will lodge into the tiny components in you main board and cause a short.

Here is a tip. Get a good furnace filter and cut out pieces big enough to fit into your vents on your computer. This will reduce the amount of dust that gets into your machine and keep it clean longer without reducing your airflow to much. Also do not keep your machine on the floor have it on a stand so it is not directly on the floor.

PLEASE DO NOT USE A VACUUM CLEANER

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Just because something is improbable Doesnt mean its impossible.

I don't know about a vacume cleaner but I am pretty sure that oil will get into your computer from the lubrication in an aircompressor.

Oh bloody hell, I used a vacuum cleaner on my machine once, not long ago... Perhaps I should wait some time for the charge to disippate before putting in any new hardware. ](*,) Well, thanks for the warning. :-?

Make sure your moisture seperator is in working order. Don't want to give it a shower too.

(The compressor at our Back Shop is so horrid on getting the moisture out that you're soaking wet when using the air tools.)

If there was a problem, you would probably know about it the first time you switched on the computer. There would be no remaining charge. The best option, as mentioned earlier, is to have a filter and sealed case to minimize the problem. The key points are to minimize touching components as much as possible to avoid static discharge, not getting dust in sockets, not getting any other gunk anywhere, and remembering that some parts are safer than others - the case itself and the power supply aren't going to be easily damaged, for example. The memory modules are among the most static sensitive parts, but as long as they are well seated they have some protection. Also, a portable vacuum, carefully used (don't touch anything you don't have to) probably isn't too dangerous. Wear an anti-static strap and, if you want to be really careful, wait for a humid day.

But honestly, a mobo can usually take quite a lot of abuse. I probably caused static damage to a memory module once, while replacing it, back in the early '90s. I've never done damage cleaning, and I give away, store, or sell old computers before they fail. I build my own computers (in as much as sticking parts in parts can be called "building" anyway).

We used air compressors to blow out systems with rampant bunnies. You do want to make certain that you have a moisture filter and we made it a rule to give them a 30-minute dry time before applying power.

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I have a secondary use for canned air: cat discipline. Whenever one of the cats starts scratching at something or causing trouble, just a little "fft!" in the general direction of the cats sends them scrambling. They hate the noise so much, now they start to scramble the moment that I pick up the can.

The big thing that hurts machines is blasting all that dust through the power supply, making the fan sing a high E, burning out the bearings on the power supply fan, and causing that huge gout of dust out the case vents. Why is my description so descriptive? 'Cause like a dummy, I used to do that...

Keep things grounded to drain off any static charge. Pull the power supply. Block the fan so it doesn't spin. Use lower pressure air. Try to avoid blowing dust from one assembly across another.

Don't put a tower section on the floor under the desk. That's where all the dust your feet stir up gets sucked into the power suppy. You think it's nasty when a cat brings up a big ol' hairball? You've never seen a double Pentium motherboard pukin' up dust bunnies the size of baseballs...

The air filter idea isn't bad. Just clean 'em regularly, and make sure they don't restrict aif flow to start with.

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It's been a while since I searched for a safe vacuum cleaner to use inside of a PC, but This One sells for about $60.

I haven't purchased one myself yet, but there's no time like the present, eh?

Also of note, is that I’m not 100% sure if it is safe to use INSIDE of a PC.
I'm going to do some more research.

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Huh? I thought that PX was the special ingredient that went into making the Power Puff Girls and Chemical X was coming to kill us all... #-o

Just concurring about the moisture buildup in compressors. Though I did use mine on the television about a month ago. Our 27" was doing wierd stuff, mostly just turning itself off after a few minutes. I guessed it was overheating, and since they are largely throw-aways nowadays that cost more to repair than to buy - I figured I'd have nothing to lose by "going in."

So I hauled it out to the barn, took off the back, and blasted it with air. Lots and lots of dust came out of certain parts. Plus I straightened out a few things that looked bent. (Little electrical components on the boards that were nearly touching that looked like they shouldn't).

Low and behold, it is working great again. My kids think I'm a genius - especially for saving the day because they got to watch the rest of Ice Age. Granted, the implements that work on the John Deere should not normally be used on home electronics, but it worked this time. Maybe next time the power supply on my PC fails, I should use the Oxy-Acetylene torch. No, better yet - the TIG welder should work well.

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I think the thing to remember here is static discharge. Todays MainBoards are coated so moisture isnt as big an issue as it used to be. BUT a MB has power applied to it at all times. This would be your cmos battery. So even if you disconnect your power supply and unplug all the cables your MB is still powered and Small shorts in the cmos system can render your machine unbootable.

Now take a vacuum hose with air flowing through it creating a huge static potential. I would estimate around 10,000 - 200,000 volts. more then enough to generate a little spark between it and your finger. now move this near a powered chip on your mainboard and POW.... BU bye.

The only proper way to clean a system is with residue free canned air.

Now if you insist on using a vacuum allthough why you would risk it I don't know I would recommend getting some nice bare copper wire and wrapping it around the end of the vacuum hose and attach one end to the case on your pc. Disconnect the P/S from the mainboard but leave the P/S plugged in(this will ground your case.). now hold the case with one hand and vacuum with the other taking care not to directly touch anything in the system. (I would unplug the P/S before cleaning the P/S itself as there is a risk of electrical discharge).

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Just because something is improbable Doesnt mean its impossible.

I used to be able to get "tinned wind" from work, but I changed jobs and now I have to buy the stuff!!
If you put filters on the PC check them often, they can get clogged very quickly and reduce the air flow to zero! (My mobo has a temperature sensor and software to sound an alarm if things get too warm, I keep it set quite low - I want to know BEFORE things get too hot! )

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