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Ask Slashdot: Dealing With Electrostatic Contamination?

Posted by timothy on from the oh-is-that-what-the-kids-are-calling-it-now dept.

interval1066 writes "I've generally made it a practice to blow the dust out of my devices 1) when I remember to do so 2) after about 3 or so years of use 3) when I can get inside the case. My monitor is very thin and difficult to open. When I did finally crack it open I didn't really notice a whole lot of dust, but I blew the thing out anyway and put it back together, and it's doing ok, as far as I can tell. I'd be interested in knowing other Slashdotters' experiences with maintaining their devices in this way and where possible. And I actually extending the life of my devices, or am I just wasting my time?"

8 of 197 comments (clear)

  1. For the most part by maxdamage · · Score: 4, Insightful

    For the most part I find that only devices that have forced air cooling, aka fans, have issues with dust. And in those cases it is defiantly a good idea to clean them out regularly as overheating is defiantly an issue with enough dust accumulation. You would be amazed the amount of dust that will accumulate in a PC, even after a few years. In the case of computer cases you can get filters that help a lot however you need to make sure you clean the filters out or you will just be making the situation worse.

  2. Not your time, ALL OUR TIME by Gothmolly · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You, and the Slashdot editors that posted this, are wasting everyone's time with this question. What's next, an Ask Slashdot for shaking crumbs and pubes out of your keyboard?

    --
    I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
    1. Re:Not your time, ALL OUR TIME by LateArthurDent · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You, and the Slashdot editors that posted this, are wasting everyone's time with this question. What's next, an Ask Slashdot for shaking crumbs and pubes out of your keyboard?

      Let me get this straight. You read an article you don't like, take the time to go into the comments and post how much you don't like the question. Then you accuse others of wasting YOUR time.

      Doesn't seem like your time is particularly valuable, so I don't see why anyone should feel bad about wasting it. I'm wasting my time responding to you, but at least I'm taking responsibility for wasting it myself. I could have just as easily ignored it if I deemed my time was more valuable. Perhaps you should have done that with this article.

    2. Re:Not your time, ALL OUR TIME by Old+Wolf · · Score: 3, Insightful

      You, and the Slashdot editors that posted this, are wasting everyone's time with this question. What's next, an Ask Slashdot for shaking crumbs and pubes out of your keyboard?

      Don't be an ass. The question is whether cleaning dust out of a PC actually makes a difference or not. (or even whether it's harmful). Since most people don't do it and their PCs continue to work; and it's possible to give a component a static shock while trying to clean it, the question is reasonable.

  3. Next Ask Slashdot Question: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Next Ask Slashdot Question:

    Dear Slashdot, I heard you should regularly take breaths so you don't die. Is this true?

  4. Re:Canned Air.. not a Vacuum Cleaner by omnichad · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Let me guess - you're a smoker? That's the nastiest dust I've ever cleaned out of a heatsink. There's oily crud mixed in that just won't let go.

    Normal dust comes right off, usually.

  5. Re:Teflon tap by Pieroxy · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Trolling aside, I've found that the best way to clean those ISA/PCI/AGP connectors is to leave them alone alltogether.

    --
    Write boring code, not shiny code!
  6. Air quality by denbesten · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If you are having problems with fanless devices getting too dirty inside, you might want to think about improving your indoor air quality, if for no better reason, your own health.

    Cpus and other devices with fans stay much cleaner inside if they are not placed on the floor.