Sam
Moderator
Premium Member
Registered: 24th Dec 99
Location: West Midlands
User status: Offline
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I've seen these "proper" ESD vacuum cleaners that you can use for photocopiers etc. as well but they are about £400.
Would it be easier (cheaper) to just do this:
- use a can of non-flammable compressed air to release dirt and crap on heatsink/fan/motherboard/cards
- use a normal vacuum cleaner and hold at a distance from motherboard to suck away said dirt and crap
I must admit I've only ever used a vacuum cleaner inside PCs for many years and have not fried any components, but then I've only used the narrow plastic attachment on the board as opposed to a brush.
On a side note, I've also seen these cans of compressed air by Kenro and Green Clean that you can get with an attachment which acts as a vacuum so rather than blowing air out it sucks it in and stores dust particles in a tiny little container - used in the photography industry mainly apparently, but I'm not sure this would work with people that have huge clumps of dust in their computers?
[Edited on 08-11-2010 by Sam]
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dan_m1les
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Registered: 8th May 06
Location: Burnham, Buckinghamshire
User status: Offline
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I just used a thin attachment with bristles to Hoover mine out, computer still works 
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Whittie
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Registered: 11th Aug 06
Location: North Wales Drives: BMW, Corsa & Fiat
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I had to clean someones the other day, can't see the benefits in spending shit loads on a special vacuum.
Literally blew the dust about with the can of air, and then used tissue to collect it all up! Took all components out, gave them a clean etc.
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pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
User status: Offline
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I use a compressor/can of air and a vacuum with a plastic nossle
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Sam
Moderator
Premium Member
Registered: 24th Dec 99
Location: West Midlands
User status: Offline
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I can't really see what the difference is between these "special" vacuum cleaners and a normal one. The expensive ones only seem to come with polypropylene attachments and no brush attachments, but every vacuum cleaner seems to come with these attachments anyway as well as obviously the brush ones for carpets and that?
Is this just some big rip-off to get people to spend £300-£400 more than they need to? 
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pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
User status: Offline
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Just make sure the hoover is earthed and all will be good in the hood?
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adiohead
Member
Registered: 28th Sep 01
User status: Offline
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I vacuumed my PC once and it took about an hour to switch back on.
I wouldn't recommend using a vacuum
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Sam
Moderator
Premium Member
Registered: 24th Dec 99
Location: West Midlands
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Depends how you used it. I only ever use the narrow crevice attachment to suck up dust, and even though I don't actually hold it right on any components (apart from the heatsink fan). I personally never had any problems...
Anyways, I am thinking of buying this vacuum as I need it to be portable:
Draper 69349 600 Watt Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
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adiohead
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Registered: 28th Sep 01
User status: Offline
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I was careful, but it still managed to build up static. Freaked me out when it wouldn't switch on properly.
Luckily it was fine after an hours nervous wait. Gave me some time to change my pants.
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moka
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Registered: 11th Mar 06
User status: Offline
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The bristles are apparently the worst for it as they hold charge and if you rub them over components it could fry them... Also the nozzles create static when air is rushing over the tip of the nozzle that can be passed onto the components.
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N3CRO
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Registered: 12th Apr 07
Location: Sandy, Bedfordshire
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by dan_m1les
I just used a thin attachment with bristles to Hoover mine out, computer still works
This is what I do too.
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dannymccann
Member
Registered: 9th Aug 06
Location: Doddington, Lincolnshire
User status: Offline
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I use a Dyson with the plastic nozzle, no computer I have ever done this with has stopped working. I have however set one on fire trying (stupidly) to insert a Soundcard into a PCI slot while it was powered up 
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adiohead
Member
Registered: 28th Sep 01
User status: Offline
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I'd vacuumed mine before without trouble.
but this one time it fucked up, so I won't do it again.
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richardworrall
Premium Member
Registered: 20th Sep 05
Location: Derby
User status: Offline
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i use works garage airline with blower attachment on it, works a treat but you always end up choking on the dust!!
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John
Member
Registered: 30th Jun 03
User status: Offline
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We've got a specific one for it in work, I'll try and find the link, wasn't £400.
Can't see it, I'll try and get the name tomorrow.
[Edited on 08-11-2010 by John]
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Daniel_Corsa
Premium Member
Registered: 21st Apr 04
Location: Wigton, Cumbria
User status: Offline
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Air duster and Henry, never damaged a component yet!
April '06' Corsasport Feature Car  | Aug '08' Total Vauxhall Feature Car | Spring '09' Fast Car Feature Car
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Sam
Moderator
Premium Member
Registered: 24th Dec 99
Location: West Midlands
User status: Offline
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One website I looked at even suggested you could try cleaning the computer whilst nude to minimise risk of ESD!
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adiohead
Member
Registered: 28th Sep 01
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Sam
One website I looked at even suggested you could try cleaning the computer whilst nude to minimise risk of ESD!
tbf, I did vacuum mine in my shell suit:
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John
Member
Registered: 30th Jun 03
User status: Offline
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I've never once damaged a component, PC or otherwise through ESD, even supposedly ESD sensitive laser diodes.
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pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
User status: Offline
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I once did a stick of RAM by rubbing it along the carpet
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