Keeping your computer running smoothly is not limited to software maintenance only. Be mindful that computers need to have proper ventilation in order to keep them cool. Computer fans drag excessive amount of dust that might buildup inside the computer.
Effect of too much dust inside computers:
1. When ventilation became clogged with dust, it may cause overheating.
2. It may cause loud noise coming out of the fan, or fan might stop working.
3. Overheating may cause the computer to shut down automatically and you may not be able to turn it back on until it cools down.
4. Frequent unexpected shuts down may cause hard drive failure and data loss.
5. Overheating may also cause the processor or ram burn.
6. When the computer overheats, performance will be noticeably slow.
7. Too much dust can decrease the life span of your computer.
Some computer manufacturers especially notebook computers include maintenance in wiping out dust inside computers, if the notebook shows signs of overheating or loud humming sound coming out of the fan. However, some people cannot afford to send the computer and have them without it for about two weeks or more. So for people who wanted to have their computers run smoothly and prevent overheating without sending their computer for repairs, you may follow the steps below. However, notebook computers might really need to send to the repair center since it needs to disassemble to open the back of the computer and wipe it clean. See figure below:
For Notebook computers you can use a can of compressed air to remove the dust clogged on the ventilation. If the notebook still overheats or the fan still produces loud noise, contact your computer manufacturer to schedule a pickup.
For Desktop Computers, cleaning the vents might be a little harder.
1. Turn off the computer and disconnect t the power cord.
2. Clean all exterior vents, especially around the power supply.
3. You can use a small vacuum cleaner to remove excess dust from the vent holes.
4. Remove the side panel of the computer case
5. Use a compressed air to blow out dust accumulated inside the computer.
6. Use a soft paintbrush to wipe the components clean.
7. You can use cleaning fluid on the exterior case.
8. Put the side cover back.
Caution: Do not use a hairdryer. Hairdryers blows hot air that may still cause damage. Do not use cleaning liquid on any hardware spare parts of your computer.
Cleaning your computer should be done at least twice a year to maximize its life span. If dusts too much accumulated your computer that cannot be removed without disassembling each part, you must seek assistance with some professionals.
