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November 11th, 2024 16:53
Tips for Removing Dust
My XPS 8960 is a little over a year old and still running great.
With all my computers, I open the case once or twice a year to remove the dust inside. I have a routine where I manually brush the dust off the blades of all fans and fan grills, then I give the insides 2 or 3 blasts with compressed air. This creates big clouds of dust, much of which seems to settle back into the computer.
I've never had a problem with overheating, but still I wonder if I could be doing a better job without needing to take things apart. So I'm looking for your tips and best practices for removing dust from the inside of your computers.
I had this idea: I would never stick a vacuum cleaner nozzle inside a computer, but I sometimes think of holding the nozzle a couple of feet (24 inches) above the insides of the computer, to draw up any loose dust. Bad idea?
DELL-Chris M
Community Manager
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November 11th, 2024 17:10
My 2016 Area-51 R2 is on a desk, not on the floor. This keeps it clean.
Twice a year I take my Area-51 R2 into the garage. Open the side cover and use the wet vac on reverse (lowest setting) to blow the dust out of the case. Then I check all cables, cards, etc. to make sure the connections are tight.
redxps630
9 Legend
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14.8K Posts
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November 11th, 2024 17:50
It is better to prevent excess dust from soiling your pc inside than try to deep clean a very dirty pc.
Re: This creates big clouds of dust, much of which seems to settle back into the computer.
that is risky b/o dust storm may re-settle at places you don’t want.
install dust filter in front of fan and periodically remove filter to wash under tap water and dry.
(edited)
Element115s4
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November 12th, 2024 03:35
While I have not had to use the shop vac on my 8950 yet, I have done exactly that with older PC's I have had over the years.
But Chris M is correct that keeping the PC elevated on a desk does help a lot.
MastiffX
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November 15th, 2024 19:41
Thanks for everyone's advice. I keep my 8960 on a desk.
I think I'll continue to do as I have done, only instead of allowing the 'clouds of dust' to settle back inside the computer, I'll hold the wand from my vacuum cleaner just near enough to suck up those clouds of dust.
I'm also going to look into installing a dust filter, if I can find something suitable. I'm reluctant to jerry-rig something on my own.