Coolin and cleaning

gamblingman · 09-20-2009, 10:48 PM

So, its time...

I need to clean my computer, a Dell 1520 Inspiron (laptop). I thought I might do it myself. But with the chance I might void the 4 year warranty, I decided against doing it myself.

I don't like having to take it to someone, I prefer to do things myself. But I would rather not take the risk. Besides, I really don't have the time to do it properly.

However I wanted to know how to clean it, and WOW! This thing looks hard to take apart. I've taken apart, cleaned and upgraded desktops, and they are a piece of cake. Cleaning this laptop requires dismantling the system to the motherboard! (I'm not exaggerating)

I know that it isn't too dirty, none of my computers ever get very dirty. Mainly cause I keep my workstation clean and I dust the room regularly (with water! not oils sprays like pledge). And I also use the best air-filters I can get for my place.

I'm wondering if most laptops are this hard to clean. I have to take this thing to its bare bones just to clean it, that's nuts! Is there a better (EASIER) way that I'm not seeing?

I've wondered if anyone has tried using an air-filter for their computer. Even a simple filter would seem to be better than nothing. At least it would catch hair and keep other crud out. Some might say that it would reduce air flow too much. But seriously, how much could a light foam filter reduce airflow? I'm not an engineer so I cant calculate it, wish I could.

gamblingman · 09-21-2009, 07:23 AM

No response on this? I would have thought there would be some ideas.

Nobody has ever considered a filter for their fans? I mean no matter what you use, air or water cooling systems; you will still need fans for cooling in the end.

Ive seen my father-in-law's computer, chock full of dust. Though its mostly due to a negative case pressure from the fans. But with a positive pressure system, like what dell uses most of the time, there is a lot of dust accumulation around the fan inlet.

My brothers computer (a dell) is usually clogged in a short time around the fan inlet. Its partly due to the fact that he keeps his computer on the floor. But I think a filter would keep the CPU heatsink and inlet from getting so clogged. What if he could just change an inlet filter, instead of [me] having to mess with opening up his computer to clean the dust and dirt out. And here in Texas we get this really nasty, black, greasy dust, its a pain to clean out cause it sticks to EVERYTHING!

But on the matter of laptops, WHY can't they make one that is easier to clean out where dust is known to accumulate. There could be a trap door, as opposed to taking the whole computer apart! Its nuts how laptops are constructed. And people, its not going to get any better as computers get even smaller.

**johnb35** · 09-21-2009, 10:13 PM

I read your other thread about no one responding to this, so I figured I would come and put my 2 cents in.... laptops are harder to clean than a desktop especially if you don't know what you are doing or haven't done it before. I've never taken one fully apart before, however, I've changed memory from under the keyboard before and behind the back panel and also put in new hard drives. I would be afraid of trying to take something apart and actually breaking it(there goes your warranty). You may just want to try using a can of compressed air and spray in your vent holes to get rid of the dust. Also open the cd tray and blow in there as well.

Others might have other ideas but this is only my 2 cents....

Mitch? · 09-21-2009, 10:59 PM

Most laptops don't even conform to any standard, ex.: they literally just put crap where it fits. every model/brand is different. find a few openings to compress air, and leave it. they're way easier to break than you'd think.

gamblingman · 09-22-2009, 01:20 AM

Yeah, I considered doing the compressed air thing. But I dont want to just move the dirt around in there. i want to get it out. Id worry that it got moved around into something that could get really messed up.

konsole · 09-25-2009, 12:12 AM

how else would you do it then taking it apart and using compressed air? I have never owned a laptop so I don't know how they come apart but I assume that the bottom should screw off and then you can use the compressed air. On my destop I prefer using a vacuum cleaner with reverse air flow or a leaf blower because they have much stronger wind. Of course I hold the system fans in place so they dont spin out of control or I partially cover the air output with my hand to reduce the velocity a little. I have heard some people use pantyhose as air filters.

I occasionally completely take apart my desktop keyboard and run the parts under hot water to clean them up.

**bomberboysk** · 09-25-2009, 12:54 AM

Dont need to take it apart, you just need to hold the fans in place with something and spray compressed air through the vents, thats how i always have done it.

09-20-2009, 10:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
gamblingman Silver Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Huntsville, Texas Age: 31 Posts: 199	Coolin and cleaning So, its time... I need to clean my computer, a Dell 1520 Inspiron (laptop). I thought I might do it myself. But with the chance I might void the 4 year warranty, I decided against doing it myself. I don't like having to take it to someone, I prefer to do things myself. But I would rather not take the risk. Besides, I really don't have the time to do it properly. However I wanted to know how to clean it, and WOW! This thing looks hard to take apart. I've taken apart, cleaned and upgraded desktops, and they are a piece of cake. Cleaning this laptop requires dismantling the system to the motherboard! (I'm not exaggerating) I know that it isn't too dirty, none of my computers ever get very dirty. Mainly cause I keep my workstation clean and I dust the room regularly (with water! not oils sprays like pledge). And I also use the best air-filters I can get for my place. I'm wondering if most laptops are this hard to clean. I have to take this thing to its bare bones just to clean it, that's nuts! Is there a better (EASIER) way that I'm not seeing? I've wondered if anyone has tried using an air-filter for their computer. Even a simple filter would seem to be better than nothing. At least it would catch hair and keep other crud out. Some might say that it would reduce air flow too much. But seriously, how much could a light foam filter reduce airflow? I'm not an engineer so I cant calculate it, wish I could. __________________ Why work when you can go fishing!

09-21-2009, 07:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
gamblingman Silver Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Huntsville, Texas Age: 31 Posts: 199	Clean and cool? No response on this? I would have thought there would be some ideas. Nobody has ever considered a filter for their fans? I mean no matter what you use, air or water cooling systems; you will still need fans for cooling in the end. Ive seen my father-in-law's computer, chock full of dust. Though its mostly due to a negative case pressure from the fans. But with a positive pressure system, like what dell uses most of the time, there is a lot of dust accumulation around the fan inlet. My brothers computer (a dell) is usually clogged in a short time around the fan inlet. Its partly due to the fact that he keeps his computer on the floor. But I think a filter would keep the CPU heatsink and inlet from getting so clogged. What if he could just change an inlet filter, instead of [me] having to mess with opening up his computer to clean the dust and dirt out. And here in Texas we get this really nasty, black, greasy dust, its a pain to clean out cause it sticks to EVERYTHING! But on the matter of laptops, WHY can't they make one that is easier to clean out where dust is known to accumulate. There could be a trap door, as opposed to taking the whole computer apart! Its nuts how laptops are constructed. And people, its not going to get any better as computers get even smaller. __________________ Why work when you can go fishing!

09-21-2009, 10:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
johnb35 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Near Joliet Illinois Age: 39 Posts: 3,644	I read your other thread about no one responding to this, so I figured I would come and put my 2 cents in.... laptops are harder to clean than a desktop especially if you don't know what you are doing or haven't done it before. I've never taken one fully apart before, however, I've changed memory from under the keyboard before and behind the back panel and also put in new hard drives. I would be afraid of trying to take something apart and actually breaking it(there goes your warranty). You may just want to try using a can of compressed air and spray in your vent holes to get rid of the dust. Also open the cd tray and blow in there as well. Others might have other ideas but this is only my 2 cents.... __________________ Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R CPU - E8400 Memory - 2GB Corsair XMS2 (2x 1gb) Graphics - ATI HD3870 Hard Drives - 250GB Seagate DVD Drive - Lite-On DVD Burner - Lite-On Power Supply - Rosewill RP600V2-S-SL 600W 22" Acer widescreen AL2216WBD

09-22-2009, 01:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
gamblingman Silver Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Huntsville, Texas Age: 31 Posts: 199	cleaning Yeah, I considered doing the compressed air thing. But I dont want to just move the dirt around in there. i want to get it out. Id worry that it got moved around into something that could get really messed up. __________________ Why work when you can go fishing!

09-25-2009, 12:12 AM	#6 (permalink)
konsole Platinum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 622	how else would you do it then taking it apart and using compressed air? I have never owned a laptop so I don't know how they come apart but I assume that the bottom should screw off and then you can use the compressed air. On my destop I prefer using a vacuum cleaner with reverse air flow or a leaf blower because they have much stronger wind. Of course I hold the system fans in place so they dont spin out of control or I partially cover the air output with my hand to reduce the velocity a little. I have heard some people use pantyhose as air filters. I occasionally completely take apart my desktop keyboard and run the parts under hot water to clean them up. __________________ Asrock p45turbotwins2000 C2D E8400 @3.6ghz 4gb ddr2-800 Diamond HD 4870 1gb Vista Home Basic

09-21-2009, 10:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mitch? banned Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Aberdeen, SD, USA Age: 17 Posts: 2,857	Most laptops don't even conform to any standard, ex.: they literally just put crap where it fits. every model/brand is different. find a few openings to compress air, and leave it. they're way easier to break than you'd think.

09-25-2009, 12:54 AM	#7 (permalink)
bomberboysk Moderator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Northeast Ohio, But mainly infront of computer Age: 16 Posts: 8,111	Dont need to take it apart, you just need to hold the fans in place with something and spray compressed air through the vents, thats how i always have done it. __________________ CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 @ 3.90Ghz Custom Water Loop \| Mobo: EVGA 790i Ultra SLI \| GPU: 9800gtx and GTS250 in SLI\| Ram: 4GB(2 x 2gb) 1333Mhz ddr3 \| Case: Xclio WTBKAdvanced \| Sound: X-fi Fatal1ty Championship, Z-5500 5.1 Surround\| HDD: 2x Raid 0 7200.11 500gb \| PSU: Zalman ZM-1000HP \|OS: Windows 7 Enterprise x64\| Dont skimp on a power supply,if it fails, it usually takes out other components alongside it. New? Dont forget to read the rules. Heatware P.M. If interested in Shin Etsu X23-7783D

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