(^588) PC Hardware: A Beginner’s Guide
The system cooling fan in the power supply either pulls air into or pushes air out of
the system case. In either situation, the air is sucked into or pushed out of air vents on the
case. A mid-tower PC sitting on the floor in an office, bedroom, or family room will accu-
mulate dust around its air vents, on the grill or blades of the fan, or both.
In extreme examples, the dust inside the case can accumulate on the processor’s fan
or heat sinks or on the motherboard itself. If enough dust, oil, water, or even metal bits
are accumulated inside the case, the motherboard or processor can develop cooling or
electrical problems.
So, it is an excellent idea to clean the inside of the PC’s case at least every six months.
You can use a soft brush vacuum cleaner (the standard type is okay) or compressed air to
blow the dust out of the case.
While you have the case open, also check any adapter cards, memory modules, chips,
cables, wires, and other motherboard components for fit and connection. As the PC heats
u pand cools down when turned on and off, integrated circuits, connectors, and ex pan-
sion cards can cree pout of their sockets or connections. This phenomenon is called “chi p
creep,” and it is another good reason to check inside the PC case on a regular basis.
Always wear ESD wrist or ankle straps when working inside the PC case. It is always
a good idea to ground yourself with one of the metal chassis parts even when wearing
ESD gear.
Here are the steps you should use to perform preventive maintenance inside the
system case:
- After powering off the PC and removing the power cord from the AC power
source, carefully remove the case cover. - Perform a visual inspection of the inside of the case to assess the need for
cleaning or adjustments. On most cases, the inside and outside vents probably
have at least a little dust accumulated on them. However, if dust is collecting
in a place it shouldn’t be, the cooling system may not be working as effectively
as it could. The case may be cracked or a part (perhaps an expansion slot filler)
may be missing. Examine the interior of the case thoroughly for dust, corrosion,
leaking battery acid, and other problems. If the case has only a light accumulation
of dust, use compressed air to clean it. Use a vacuum with a brush head to clean
away any larger accumulations of dust. - Check the data and power cables on the motherboard, power supply, disk
drives, and so on for loose connections. Check the adapter cards to make sure
they are properly seated. - Using compressed air, blow off first the outside vents and then the inside vents
of the power supply. Use the compressed air to clean the drive bays, adapter
cards, and finally, the outside vents of the case. - Replace the case cover, taking care not to snag any cables.