cleaning cpu, keyboard, monitor

[killer_carlson]

We had a basement flood and resulted in me packing up my home office computer into the garage for much of summer and fall. Ive set the computer back up again but it is covered with a fine dust that i need to get cleaned up. Compressed air wont be sufficient but dont know if i should use rubbing alcohol or other product. I suspect i should take the case off as well to make sure it didnt get in there, but if it did, some suggestions will help

Suggestions?

please and thank you

[calumniate]

I thought of mineral oil as they use them for cooling systems sometimes, but I guess it's hard to clean off. This may help you here
http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/cleaners/

[Hack&Lube]

Just grab some Clorox wipes for everything on the surface (except the monitor). For the monitor, you can get some cheap monitor screen wipes.

For inside the computer, don't worry about it, just use compressed air or an air compressor and blow out the dust.

I use this on everything from computer, car, audio, pets, and even inflated a boat once.
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX37982

[DoubleF]

When compressed air isn't enough (rare) I buy cheap paint brushes with soft bristles and use it to lightly brush off the particulates.

I've heard rubbing alcohol damages components but I've used it in the past (by accident) without messing anything up. You could try, but it's definitely not recommended.

[Fuzz]

I've washed several keyboards in the sink before. You can get them totally wet, give them a bit of a scrub with a toothbrush if necessary, but need to dry them thoroughly. I'll leave mine over a vent for a few days and give them a few rotations/shakes out.

For the case, open it up and blast with compressed air. If you choose to vacuum, be aware this can create static and could fry components. I've never had an issue though. Just careful where you stick it. If you blow air at fans, DO NOT spin them fast. This can easily damage bearings by spinning much faster than they were designed. So hold the fan blade and give it a good spray of air.

For the monitor a damp cloth usually does the trick, wipe it dry with a glasses cloth. Though you can get special sprays/wipes.

[rbochan]

Nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

I've heard rubbing alcohol damages components but I've used it in the past (by accident) without messing anything up. You could try, but it's definitely not recommended.

Pure isopropyl is a pretty decent cleaner for electrical contacts as it dissolves residue and evaporates quickly.

The problem with rubbing alcohol is that it isn't pure isopropyl, it has water mixed in which can cause problems for electronics and cause corrosion.

If you have to use rubbing alcohol try and get the highest percentage isopropyl you can. I believe standard is 70% but you can buy 91%.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I've washed several keyboards in the sink before. You can get them totally wet, give them a bit of a scrub with a toothbrush if necessary, but need to dry them thoroughly. I'll leave mine over a vent for a few days and give them a few rotations/shakes out.

I don't recommend this as the average keyboard is made of keys on top of rubber domes that press into conductive carbon pads on two mylar sheets. Once liquid gets between the two sheets, it is sometimes impossible for it to dry/evaporate out and then you have to disassemble and peel the sheets apart or half your keys won't work or will short with each other.

[Fuzz]

Well, in theory I guess that could be an issue, but I've never had a problem. I've done a couple laptop keyboards and about 10 desktop ones. The laptop one had an issue when I didn't let it dry long enough, but I just removed it, dried it further and it was fine. Good ol' dry Calgary air probably makes it work better here... Maybe don't try it on your $100 keyboard, but for the $10-$30 ones I think it's worth the small risk.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I use this on everything from computer, car, audio, pets, and even inflated a boat once.
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX37982

Well that saves me from some experimenting. I just got one for Christmas and when I switched it on, thought "Hey....betcha this could inflate a boat in a pinch"

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

Well that saves me from some experimenting. I just got one for Christmas and when I switched it on, thought "Hey....betcha this could inflate a boat in a pinch"

Also air mattresses!

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Well, in theory I guess that could be an issue, but I've never had a problem. I've done a couple laptop keyboards and about 10 desktop ones. The laptop one had an issue when I didn't let it dry long enough, but I just removed it, dried it further and it was fine. Good ol' dry Calgary air probably makes it work better here... Maybe don't try it on your $100 keyboard, but for the $10-$30 ones I think it's worth the small risk.

Open up the keyboard, take the electronic guts out of it, and drop the whole thing in the bath tub with some soap and water. If it is really bad, pop off the keys and use an old toothbrush to scrub it clean.

Let it dry and re-assemble.

[Aegypticus]

One tip for everyone is to use care when using compressed air or a blower on computer or computer-style fans. You want to hold then from spinning when blowing air on the fins. Reason being is the air can actually potentially spin them much faster than they'd run during normal operation and damage the bearings.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Aegypticus

One tip for everyone is to use care when using compressed air or a blower on computer or computer-style fans. You want to hold then from spinning when blowing air on the fins. Reason being is the air can actually potentially spin them much faster than they'd run during normal operation and damage the bearings.

Yeah I stick a pencil or chopstick in fans before I blow them out.