Hi,

Canned air can be expensive, unless you find it on sale and it is not so
powerful.

I'd go one step further, if you don't have an air compressor of some
sort at home or in the car to use, take the computer for a ride to your
local friendly gas station and use their air compressor for $1.00 or so.
Open it up there.  It will be much cheaper than canned air, gets cleaned
better, and the mess gets blown outside and not inside the house.

Make sure to clean not only the cpu fan, but the power supply and case
fans as well.

The fans should spin freely when the air blows on them.  If it looks
like any of them are binding you may want to get them replaced while you
have it opened.

That is one thing I do for my customers every time they bring their
computer in to my shop.
Not so much for them, but for me, I hate working on a filthy computer.
I usually open it up in front of them and ask if the rest of their house
looks like this.  The reactions and apologies are priceless.

Thanks and have a Great Day!

Joe Lore

----------------------

First, go to the store and get youself a can(s) of compressed air. Then,
turn the computer off and undo the power cord. Take the screws off from
the back and remove the sides. Next, blow the various boards and the
components inside the computer with a stream of air. Make sure you get
the fans. Do NOT blow air inside your floppy or cd-rom drives (they have
special kits to clean them). You can use a very soft brush on the boards
if you desire after blowing them off with the air. Remove all the
cob-webs, hair balls and othe extraneous matter. Put the sides on,
replace the screws and turn it back on. You are done.  Not too bad was
it.
---------------------

> I have been using a computer for years but have never opened it.  I'm
> intimidated!!!
>
> I know it needs to be cleaned because it's sat on the floor for about
three
> years and I have a dog that sheds.
>
> I could take it to a computer repair business to clean the inside, but

> I thought maybe I should try to clean it myself.
>
> Is opening and cleaning the inside of the computer risky for a
first-timer?
>
> How does "one" clean the inside?  What materials do I need?
>
> Christine in Baltimore

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