best way to clean a comp?

[slacker]

so i am going to install some new USB2 ports into the ol' mac pro and it's getting pretttty dusty inside. was wondering the best way of getting rid of all the dust. compressed air? (to me that seems like it would not get rid of dust, moreso just shuffle it around.)

anyway tips/types/stories/whatever are welcome.

[Doodie]

Compressed air works pretty well. When I do that I have a vacuum (the tube part) in my other hand so the dust gets dislodged then sucked out. A feather duster never hurt anyone either... unless they were trying to be straight or the power was still on.

[xeper]

Yep, I use a handheld canister-vac and compressed air. It's the best way I've found.

comedy option: dishwasher.

[jmu]

Uh so you guys aren't running your computers submerged in mineral oil, wtf.

[martinlk]

Be careful with that vacuum — it can fry your computer.

[Doodie]

Be careful with that vacuum — it can fry your computer.

Well that's why I said use the tube/hose thing... I wouldn't be putting a big electric engine near your computer's internals... that's never wise.

[martinlk]

From what I've heard, you shouldn't do that either. A vacuum generates static electricity and that could kill your computer.

[roy]

Hmmm. I've never heard a vacuum cleaner could do that, but now that you mention it, it sounds very possible. I've usually just stuck with the compressed air method.

[xeper]

I've been doing it for over 12 years, I've never once witnessed static buildup from a canister vac in a PC.

If you're that scared of it, put the hose-end near an exhaust port on the PC case and blow the dust toward that.

[jmu]

Yeah I wouldn't worry about static too much, if you're in an environment where the vacuum is going to build up enough of a charge to damage the computer you're probably just as likely to do that yourself just touching the internal components.