Safe vacuuming of computers - how?

[Mirco]

There was a nice thread about this in Tips and tricks, but it was closed before I finished writing this post. So let's try it again - please no flamewars this time .

What was agreed on:
1) Dust inside a computer is a problem.
2) Vacuuming the computers is handy, because it removes the dust instead of blowing it into crevices where it can't be removed from.
3) Vacuuming may be dangerous because of static that builds up on the nozzle surface. The amount of danger varies with personal experience - some are able to do it safely, some aren't.

The question is:
What to do if I want to use vacuum and at the same time be safe from static damage? Assuming I'm using a standard nonconductive plastic vac cleaner with no ground cable. And of course I'm careful enough not to knock or suck parts away from the motherboard.

I'm thinking about a simple fix: cover the nozzle end (both inside and outside) with aluminum wrapping foil. From the outside, tie it with a wire and attach the other end of the wire to the computer case and to some ground. So the static building up in the nozzle would be carried away and grounded safely.

What do you think? Could it work?

(Of course, the best would be to filter the input air. This is for case when the dust already got inside.)

[YankeeBoy]

Take a look here

Cleaning the Interior of your PC

[Zathros]

Originally Posted by YankeeBoy

Take a look here

Cleaning the Interior of your PC

Nice link, the "Optional" cleaning kit should probably be the "main cleaning kit" though.

[Barry]

The last computer cabinets I built were "ruggedised" having filters 90 layers thick and heat sensors I often wonder with the low prices of electronic devices why the sensors are not built into the system. I do not know as much about computers as Zathros and many others here the only tip I have is look at the cabinet every couple of weeks and if all the "holes" in your casing are growing fur then clean the damn thing.

[Dented Rick]

‎"The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're genuine" - Abraham Lincoln

I've always used the canned air with the straw attachment, and never had any problems.

[Tim Crowe]

Vacuuming! - Isn't that what wives are for!

You don't buy a dog and wag your own tail.

Tim

[rbeach84]

This statement would, by corillary, indicate that all bachelors (males, anyway) live in very dirty conditions.

My philosphy is that vacuuming is best done naked - especially if it *is* my wife!

BTT (back-to-topic): I have used a combination of vacuum and canned air to drive the dust-bunnies from their warrens. Seems the idea of modifying the nozzle with a grounding strap is a good idea, though I wonder if the foil would be necessary, or just putting an alligator clip on the strap and hooking it on would be sufficient.

[SJPONeill]

So how often should one vacuum one's wife - I fear I may have been somewhat remiss in this area...

When our big plasma died soon after we got it, on the of the tips the repair team gave us was to vacuum the filter vents every time we (yes, we!!) vacuumed the house - since then I've done the same for the PC and had no problems...

[Zathros]

Vacuum the wife after you mow the lawn. Easy to keep track that way!

[Dented Rick]

I usually Mow the wife after she vacuums me