Cleaning computers with CT?

[EWTHeckman]

Yesterday I was rearranging the power connections in my office. (I'm a programmer. I have a lot of equipment.) In the process I used my new CT 26 to clean up a lot of dust that had accumulated among the cables. (It's quieter and was easier to find than the household vac.)

Using a standard vacuum cleaner to clean dust out of the insides of a computer is not recommended due to static issues. But it occurred to me that the CT's anti-static setup might be safe to use. Does anyone know if it really is safe to use a CT with an antistatic hose and tools to vacuum out the inside of a computer?

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Since you posted in the Ask Festool section, I'll give an answer which is, for the sake of liability of you frying your electronics/computer, can't say whether you should use our CT or not for that purpose. What I will say is that I take my computers outside and use a compressor to blow them out real good. Works great and probably does a better job than a vac at cleaning out dust deep inside of crevices and the power supply where a vacuum nozzle won't reach.

Shane

 

[jmbfestool]

+1  Shane

 

[Alan m]

i would imagine that using a compressor would require one of those fancy filters to make sure there is no wter or oil in the line. it could cause problems.

i think i read (from shane i think) THAT THE VACS ARE ONLY ANTI STATIC IF PLUGED INTO A SUITABLE SOCKET (WHAT THAT MEANS IM NOT SURE)

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Yes, it would have to be a grounded outlet for the anti-static properties of the CT to work properly. I've used a compressor a BUNCH of times without any type of fancy filter and never had a problem for what it's worth.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I just bring the leaf blower in the house and take care of that in place. [big grin]

 

[EWTHeckman]

I've used regular vacuums too many times to count with no trouble. I did use a compressor once for a more thorough cleaning job.

I figure that if the regular vac was okay (despite the warnings) the CT should be just fine, as long as it doesn't rip any components off the motherboard.  [scared] [big grin]

Moving these computers is a royal pain. They all have a lot connected to them, equipment sitting on them, and my Mac Pro is really stinkin' heavy. It's far easier to clean them in place on a regular basis and leave the deep cleaning for the rare occasion.

Mainly I was wondering what the official position is, as well has hoping for a few unofficial thoughts.  [smile]

Thanks guys.

 

[EWTHeckman]

I just bring the leaf blower in the house and take care of that in place. [big grin]

[scared] [blink] [scared]

 

[greenMonster]

I use compressed air as well. But it is it not the suggested way as there is a possibility of spraying dirt/whatever INTO sensitive components.
The "proper" suggestion is to use a small electronics vac...

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Sensitive components? [huh]

To each their own, I guess. I've been working on hardware and building computers for 25+ years now and I have found compressed air to work best and I have seen some seriously caked up dust inside of computers (not my own).

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I think you should give the leaf blower a shot Shane.

I really like the way 2 stroke smells in the house.  Saves money on those plug-it things. [big grin]

 

[EWTHeckman]

Sensitive components? [huh]

To each their own, I guess. I've been working on hardware and building computers for 25+ years now and I have found compressed air to work best and I have seen some seriously caked up dust inside of computers (not my own).

One of my past customers was a foundry. Nothing in that place stayed clean very long. Even worse, everyone in the office smoked heavily. I was glad I wasn't responsible for cleaning those computers.

I'm also glad I wasn't in the service department when an Amish customer brought his Mac Plus and LaserWriter 1 in for cleaning at the dealership where I used to work. The Amish don't allow electricity in the house, only the barn, where it's required by state law. I would have been afraid to even touch them.  [eek]

 

[semenza]

Sensitive components? [huh]

To each their own, I guess. I've been working on hardware and building computers for 25+ years now and I have found compressed air to work best and I have seen some seriously caked up dust inside of computers (not my own).

One of my past customers was a foundry. Nothing in that place stayed clean very long. Even worse, everyone in the office smoked heavily. I was glad I wasn't responsible for cleaning those computers.

I'm also glad I wasn't in the service department when an Amish customer brought his Mac Plus and LaserWriter 1 in for cleaning at the dealership where I used to work. The Amish don't allow electricity in the house, only the barn, where it's required by state law. I would have been afraid to even touch them.  [eek]

Really ? Whats that all about?

Seth

 

[upscale]

safe to use. Does anyone know if it really is safe to use a CT with an antistatic hose and tools to vacuum out the inside of a computer?

NO, NO, NO, NO and NO!!! (At least in my experience) I vacuumed out one of my earlier computer cases a number of years ago. Got it all sparkly clean and then tried to power on the computer. NOTHING! Spent three hours trying to find out what was wrong with the computer (cursing vehemently all the time) and then happened to notice that the BIOS chip was missing.

Turned out I'd hoovered that sucker right off the motherboard. Had to dig through a pile of dust from the vacuum bag before I found it. Fortunately the computer powered up fine after the chip was reinserted. After that, the vacuum was banned from being within ten feet of the computer.
[scared] [embarassed] [scared] [embarassed]

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Darcy, LOL! I'll have to dab a little kerosene behind my ears and see if that and the smell of the 2-stroke gets me lucky.  [blink]

Seth, the Amish think electricity is the work of the devil, or at least the older generation does and that it weakens the family unit (which it admittedly does in the form of electronics and computers).

Sucked the BIOS chip out of the socket, wow!  [eek] That some serious suction. You normally need a chip puller to get those things out. Sure it wasn't just the BIOS battery?

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

All the Amish around here are sneaky.

I will say 75% of them have some sort of electricity.

I don't get the required by law to have power in their barn though, never heard of that.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

I don't get the required by law to have power in their barn though, never heard of that.

Livestock are the true hellions, they can't be saved.  [big grin]

 

[peter halle]

The answer is Animal Planet and Mr. Ed reruns.  Perhaps Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom.

Its a world gone made since Steve died.  Not that Steve - the other Steve.

Peter

 

[mastercabman]

I don't get the required by law to have power in their barn though, never heard of that.

I could be wrong,but i think it's because if there's livestock,it would need power for cooling fans and sanitation equipment maybe for milking cows?

 

[EWTHeckman]

The electricity is required for refrigerating milk. Since only the barn is required to be electrified, the bishops tolerate it. Of course, that lead to situations like this guy who had cutting edge (for the time) computer equipment in the barn.