Don't know who originally posted the query about a computer stinking of cigarettes.

But I know what they meant - it can be incredibly foul.  I used to know a guy who hardly ever left his flat - just sat there smoking, sometimes up to 100 a day.  The whole place was orange and so was he.  Just visiting him meant having to wash all my clothes.  He's dead now, of course.  And we binned his old 486.

My take on getting rid of the smell would be that the areas of concentration of tar and nicotine deposits will be in the heat sink and power supply.

The heat sink is easily cleaned in hot soapy water, but the power supply might be more difficult - it might be worth replacing it altogether.

The case could be wiped out using soapy water or meths, particularly around air intakes and exhaust grilles.  The motherboard could be CAREFULLY swabbed with meths on a cotton bud.  Messy job.

Ian Porter
Computer Guys Inc.
Arrowtown
New Zealand
[log in to unmask]

The NOSPIN Group
http://freepctech.com

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: John Dinges 
  Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] PC Shuts down/To shut down or not to shut down


  I don't think you really want to use brake cleaner inside your computer. I repair industrial equipment and buy and use brake cleaner by the case. It is rather aggressive, particularly on plastics. Would probably soften or dissolve some plastics, it also removes paint. Electric Motor cleaner is not as aggressive, but personally, would be hesitant to spray it in a computer.You might try wiping down the inside of the case and all hard parts you can get at with a good general purpose cleaner then spray the inside with something like "Fabreeze" or other odor neutralizing spray.
  I have seen how companies like "Tektronix" (o-scopes,test equip) clean equipment they overhaul. They put them in a booth and spray them down with a sudsy cleaning agent, then rinse with water, blow them off then put them in an oven at around 300 deg for several hours.Of course I think you would want to remove your drives first. I don't recommend this, but I saw it done.Kind of a last resort I guess.
  I had a bad odor with something or other one time and I just went on Google and typed in "How can I get rid of an odor" and I got several good responses. You might give it a shot.

                         PCBUILD's List Owners:
                      Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]>
                       Drew Dunn<[log in to unmask]>