Would using a vacuum to suck out the dust from the air vent of my laptop be a good idea?
15 replies, posted
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/W2Hmj.png[/IMG]
Talking about #3 in that diagram.
Yes.
No. Vacuums create static electricity (that's bad).
Get this [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16848043429[/url]
It shouldn't be difficult to find a similar product where you live.
Wouldn't using a can of compressed air push the dust further into the computer though?
[QUOTE=ashxu;31425087]Wouldn't using a can of compressed air push the dust further into the computer though?[/QUOTE]My thoughts exactly.
[QUOTE=moesislack;31425031]No. Vacuums create static electricity (that's bad).
Get this [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16848043429[/url]
It shouldn't be difficult to find a similar product where you live.[/QUOTE]
The idea of a vacuum creating enough static electricity to harm a computer is ridiculous. In fact, the idea of naturally occurring every-day static electricity that can build up in the human body causing damage is ridiculous. You may be able to kill something electronic if you place it next to a van-de-graaff generator, but that's on an order of magnitude 100 times more powerful than rubbing your socks across a carpet.
I've used a vacuum cleaner to clean out dozens and dozens of computers, and so have my friends and clients, and I've never heard a single instance of it causing damage to their computers or other components.
Static electricity is over rated. The absolute worst thing I've had happen in a static incident is cause the computer to reboot, but that was only on a single machine with glitchy USB ports that have always caused problems. One winter I was working on a running machine and had a 1" static spark jump from my index finger to a PQFP lead on a video card and absolutely nothing happened, the machine kept chugging along.
Though, I'd recommend an air compressor over a vacuum due to the fact the air compressor can create a large stream of fast moving air to blow dust out from under components and heat sinks where vacuums can't easily reach.
So blowing into the air vent of my laptop with a can of compressed air is my best bet then?
The best solution would be to take the heatsink out (which can usually be done by removing a panel on the bottom of the laptop.) The blower fans in those laptops eventually create a mat of filth that clogs up one side of the heat sink fins that can't be easily removed.
Blowing air into the vent will probably get some of the dust out, but it will most likely blow dust into the fan assembly and get stuck.
[QUOTE=moesislack;31425031]No. Vacuums create static electricity (that's bad).
Get this [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16848043429[/url]
It shouldn't be difficult to find a similar product where you live.[/QUOTE]
That's only necessary if you're opening the PSU and cleaning that..
[QUOTE=bohb;31426263]The best solution would be to take the heatsink out (which can usually be done by removing a panel on the bottom of the laptop.) The blower fans in those laptops eventually create a mat of filth that clogs up one side of the heat sink fins that can't be easily removed.
Blowing air into the vent will probably get some of the dust out, but it will most likely blow dust into the fan assembly and get stuck.[/QUOTE]
mmm okay...
I just don't really want to take apart the laptop because according to the Disassembly manual: [url]http://www.scribd.com/doc/60424367/Disassemble-N71VN-Series-Chapter-02-V1-0[/url]
I have to take the whole damn laptop apart to access the cpu fan and such.
[QUOTE=bohb;31425789]Though, I'd recommend an air compressor over a vacuum due to the fact the air compressor can create a large stream of fast moving air to blow dust out from under components and heat sinks where vacuums can't easily reach.[/QUOTE]
I use an air compressor and then shop vac, since there's no place for the dust to go I have to use it otherwise it will just float back onto the case and parts. Works fine and haven't broken anything in the several hundred times I've done it.
[QUOTE=Radapalf;31426438]That's only necessary if you're opening the PSU and cleaning that..[/QUOTE]
What does that have to do with it?
[editline]1st August 2011[/editline]
[QUOTE=bohb;31425789]The idea of a vacuum creating enough static electricity to harm a computer is ridiculous. In fact, the idea of naturally occurring every-day static electricity that can build up in the human body causing damage is ridiculous. You may be able to kill something electronic if you place it next to a van-de-graaff generator, but that's on an order of magnitude 100 times more powerful than rubbing your socks across a carpet.
I've used a vacuum cleaner to clean out dozens and dozens of computers, and so have my friends and clients, and I've never heard a single instance of it causing damage to their computers or other components.
Static electricity is over rated. The absolute worst thing I've had happen in a static incident is cause the computer to reboot, but that was only on a single machine with glitchy USB ports that have always caused problems. One winter I was working on a running machine and had a 1" static spark jump from my index finger to a PQFP lead on a video card and absolutely nothing happened, the machine kept chugging along.
Though, I'd recommend an air compressor over a vacuum due to the fact the air compressor can create a large stream of fast moving air to blow dust out from under components and heat sinks where vacuums can't easily reach.[/QUOTE]
I'm just a little over protective of my shit. I know dam well it won't damage it but I still use compressed air. It's got more air force then a standard vacuum anyway.
[QUOTE=ashxu;31425087]Wouldn't using a can of compressed air push the dust further into the computer though?[/QUOTE]
No it gets dislodged and escapes out of any space it can find.
My laptop lets me open a panel above the fan. Really useful.
But I've had no issue with just blowing into the heatsink. I just do it in quick bursts to avoid damage to the fan bearings.
[QUOTE=Protocol7;31474097]My laptop lets me open a panel above the fan. Really useful.
But I've had no issue with just blowing into the heatsink. I just do it in quick bursts to avoid damage to the fan bearings.[/QUOTE]
Since there's no moving parts in a sleeve bearing (other than the fan shaft), it's real hard to kill a sleeve bearing fan. You run into trouble when the plastic fan/blower attached to the shaft is fragile and breaks/cracks due to centripetal force. But that's why you hold the fan still while blowing on it.
[QUOTE=bohb;31481298]Since there's no moving parts in a sleeve bearing (other than the fan shaft), it's real hard to kill a sleeve bearing fan. You run into trouble when the plastic fan/blower attached to the shaft is fragile and breaks/cracks due to centripetal force. But that's why you hold the fan still while blowing on it.[/QUOTE]
I don't, but I guess it's alright since I don't hold the air on the fan for a long time. Never had a fan break on me.
Matter of fact I have a $5 PCI slot fan that's still kicking and at least 3 years old :D.
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