This week's tip is about something that seems obvious in retrospect, but most users just don't think about. That is, cleaning out the dust and build-up inside their desktop computers.
Over time, build-up of dust and debris can lead to a significant shortening of the lifespan of the components in your computer at least, and a total system meltdown at worst.
Dust and debris restricts the ability of your computer's fans to dissipate heat from its various components. As this heat builds-up, the parts begin to overheat causing anything from random reboots, slow PC performance, excess noise, or hardware failures. Your computer components have built-in safeguards to protect against overheating that lead to these behaviours.
So, how do you overcome this? The answer is really quite simple if you follow these steps.
To perform this procedure, you will need a screwdriver, Q-tips, and a canister of compressed air.
1. Turn off computer
2. Unplug all cables going into the computer, but particularly the power cable (usually black, connects at the top of the computer, into the power supply).
3. Open the case (sometimes have to unscrew a couple of places, others you just push some tabs and it slides/pops off). See your manufacturer website for directions to remove the case. Please note that some manufacturers will VOID YOUR WARRANTY if you open the case!
4. In your case you will see at least two fans, and usually 3 now on newer computers. 1 Fan will be on the CPU, and will sit on a metal HEATSINK. The heatsink sits on the processor (your computers brain), absorbs the heat it produces, and then the fan on top of the heatsink blows the heat out of the case. 1 Fan will be on the back of the computer on your power supply. Other fans can be near your hard drive, on your video card, or at the rear of your case.
5. First, gently blow air throughout the case to loosen up the dust, but do not blow directly on the fans.
6. Blow air on the fans. NOTE: Hold the fan in place while blowing air on it. The velocity created by the airflow on the fan can be fast enough to ruin the ball bearings in the fan and destroy your fan.
7. Any debris on the fans that does not come off, use a Q-Tip with gentle pressure to wipe up.
8. Clean the heatsink. NOTE: Since the heatsink resides under the CPU Fan, this may require removing and unplugging the fan to access the heatsink. Usually though, you can blow air on the heatsink between the gaps of fan, or from below the fan. Use a Q-tip as needed to clean out the grooves in the heatsink and space between the fan and heatsink.
9. Wipe up any debris left on the bottom of the case with a dry paper towel OR low-power vacuum or dustbuster - DO NOT WIPE COMPONENTS INSIDE THE CASE!
10. Close up the case.
11. Plug cables and power back in.
Repeat this process 2-3 times per year and you'll get at least an extra year or two of useful life from your desktop computer.
To clean out the inside of a laptop computer, take it to a professional, like me, or research very carefully on your manufacturer's website on how to disassemble your laptop.
For the rest of November, Nerds On Site is offering the following special:
Physical Cleaning of Desktop Computer: $49.99
Physical Cleaning of Notebook Computer: $89.99
To book an appointment call Ben @ 1-902-980-0989 or email ben.wiper@nerdsonsite.com
Until next time,
Ben
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