Degreasing your computer

[kelly]

Sorry I missed PalTalk last night. I wanted to touch on this topic. One of my customers has a couple of restraunts. I first met him when he brought to my a failed computer. It was old, but that's OK. The restraunt runs some proprietary software. You've probably seen these - they have the touch screens.

Anyway, the machine in question was located in the kitchen and was pretty much covered in grease and dust. So this week, he called me because another machine in the kitchen was getting pretty hot. When I got there, the vents where the cooling air enters the case were caked with dust. Grease got onto the vents and caught the dust. Inside, fans, heat sinks, and surfaces had a coating of grease/dust.

I used some tape head cleaner and tech-type Q-tips to clean everything. Anyone else have experience in this area? Recommendations on prevention or cure?

-td

[Dan18960]

Place coffe filters in front of the cooling fans. They will collect the grease and dust and can be changed out with new ones monthly (do I hear RESIDUAL business :) )

[mylanta]

I seem to remember someone talking about dryer sheets like Bounce to do that trick...

[PeteF]

When I got there, the vents where the cooling air enters the case were caked with dust. Grease got onto the vents and caught the dust. Inside, fans, heat sinks, and surfaces had a coating of grease/dust.

I used some tape head cleaner and tech-type Q-tips to clean everything. Anyone else have experience in this area? Recommendations on prevention or cure?


I've used this type degreaser on electronics such as VCRs... Safe for plastics.
http://www.mcminone.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=MCMProducts&product%5Fid=20%2D1670

I've also used Scotch-bright cleaning pads for air filters.
I secure them using Velcro self-adhesive strips by applying the "hook" side
to the computer and then applying the Scotch-bright pads to the Velcro.
Now you have filters that can be easily removed for cleaning or replacement.

---pete---

[mommalina]

I seem to remember someone talking about dryer sheets like Bounce to do that trick...

Wasn't it Doug who suggested that on our old board.?

1. Furnace/airconditioning filter

Why not place a furnace filter in front of the intake? (Don't use a paper filter. A cheap 50-cent non-paper one would allow more air in.) These would be easy to remove and replace frequently and also cost-effective.

2. Gauze*

I can't think of what they call it, but there's a type of gauze material available that's not as closely knit as a dryer sheet.

Instead of air-conditioning, my brother closes all windows but two. One has a screen covered with this loosely knit gauze for incoming air. The other open window has a fan set to pull out air. Very effective.

Maybe such loosely knit gauze would be safer for computer use than a dryer sheet or a coffee filter?

* Dryer sheet or gauze, I think I'd put them through the washer and dryer several times to remove any sizing and residue.

Just a thought.

Lina

[photolady]

I use the scotch brite pads also. They rinse, clean up pretty good and they're reuseable. Fitting is almost perfect to the grills in front of the case. If not, they can be cut to size. Plus they are stiff enough you don't have a problem with them bunching up.

[kelly]

Althought I like the idea, I think the coffee filter would restrict the air flow. That got me to thinking about using a metal mesh filter like the type on top of your cooking stove where it vents into the exhaust fan, or as Lina mentioned an AC or furnace filter, but where would you find a small one to fit the computer?

So I think I'll go with the scotch brite and velcro.

Thanks for the suggestions.
-td

[mommalina]

Althought I like the idea, I think the coffee filter would restrict the air flow. That got me to thinking about using a metal mesh filter like the type on top of your cooking stove where it vents into the exhaust Tofan, or as Lina mentioned an AC or furnace filter, but where would you find a small one to fit the computer?

Tony, how about cutting a sponge-like, washable filter for room air conditioners and attach it to the computer with velcro? It may be less air-intake restrictive than a scotch brite pad, used dryer sheet, or coffee filter. I used one for a room air conditioner years ago. Worked great. Wonder if they are still being sold.

If it works, maybe someone could patent and market a smaller version of the a/c sponge-like, washable filter, with instructions to cut it down to fit the computer air intake and attach included velcro.

Here's something else computer manufacturers may want to explore. Why not make computers with removable filters which can be washed or vacuumed? They could fit on the computer the way the one does on my ceramic room heater.

So I think I'll go with the scotch brite and velcro.

Do you think the scotch brite pad may restrict the air flow? Photolady mentioned a scotch brite pad. Has anyone here actually tried it?

Lina

[kelly]

I think the air conditioner filter material will work. That's another good idea. One AC filter, cut into computer vent size pieces, will last a long time.

By the way, when I worked in aerospace, most (if not all) the equipment had filters. The equipment was stacked in racks and would be cleaned regularly with a vacuum cleaner. Come to think of it, the material used was may be the stuff AC filters are made of - that spongy material.
-td

[photolady]

Lina, I have several tech friends that use the scotchbrite pads. They are not restrictive in any way to air flow. I've used them for about 5 years now and never had a problem with air flow restrictiveness.

[mommalina]

Lina, I have several tech friends that use the scotchbrite pads. They are not restrictive in any way to air flow. I've used them for about 5 years now and never had a problem with air flow restrictiveness.

Thanks for the feedback, Photolady. I'm surprised. I really thought Scotch Brite pads would be too air-flow restrictive. ..... wonder if they make furnace/airconditioner filters out of Scotch Brite.

Lina