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Questions tagged [cleaning]

Physically cleaning computer hardware, both as maintenance and post-accident

Computers, especially large towers, are notorious for collecting dust and lint. Left alone these can block airflow pathways, leading to a hotter running system. In extreme cases, they may pose a fire hazard. Parts of the computer that are directly in contact with their users (keyboard, mouse, screen, etc.) may also become dirty and unhygenic with prolonged use.

206 questions
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How to find and remove "spicy" media files from my PC

I have an embarrassing problem: during my younger and wilder days, I used to download a certain type of movie clips and pictures. The combination of youthful foolishness and a couple of beers apparently caused me to put these files in odd places on…
Scott
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Can I use vodka to clean my keyboard?

I spilled beer on my keyboard a while back, and some of the keys are sticky. It's driving me crazy, and I don't have any isopropyl. Can I use vodka to clean it?
user1068446
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Removing dead thunderflies stuck inside an LCD monitor

This summer my flat was "attacked" by hundreds of tiny thunderflies, some of which managed to get behind the screen of my LCD. A few of the cursed creatures went and died right in the middle of the display:  And yes, this is real. Imagine my…
Mike Weller
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I washed my USB drive. Any long-term risks?

I accidentally left a USB flash drive in my clothes, which was then washed with my laundry. This was a colored load, hot water. The drive survived just fine and was very clean. All data was still there, and I see no physical damage. Am I risking any…
user95156
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11 answers

Suck or blow? What's better for dust?

The guy at the local PC hardware store told me it's better to use a small hand-held leaf blower to blow dust out of your PC case than a hand-held vacuum cleaner. Why is this? I understand that fans might be damaged if they "spin too fast", but…
gillespieza
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What is the best way to clean an LCD monitor?

I have loads of grubby finger marks on my monitor (mine and smaller people's). I'm not sure how to clean them off without damaging the monitor. What's the best way to safely clean dust, smudges and fingerprints off an LCD?
AJ.
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8 answers

Can I put keyboards in the dishwasher?

After a few years, keyboards develop a fine patina of what I refer to as "hand jam". I've heard that they can be safely cleaned in the dishwasher as long as you let them thoroughly dry out (like for a week or two). Maybe not the fancy ones with…
raven
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What's the best way to get ants out of laptop keyboards?

What's the best way to gets ants out of a laptop?
wayne
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8 answers

Cleaning computer cables In the dishwasher

A large quantity of assorted computer cables came into my possession. The collection includes almost every type of computer-related cable (video, USB, Ethernet, printer, audio and speaker, SATA, power, etc.). I'm focused here on just passive…
user58446
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How do I clean dust from a computer?

As computers become faster and generate more heat it gets more important to have good ventilation, but that also increases the amount of dust sticking to the components of the computer. It's of course better to make sure the computer never gets…
Jonas
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Best way to salvage SD cards exposed to salt water and contents of the lithium batteries?

So, right off the bat, I want to acknowledge that the data on these cards is likely lost to time. However, I am hoping someone may know some best practices to check for sure. I recently recovered some data loggers that were sitting at 40 m depth in…
etgriffiths
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How to remove keyboard grease?

I always wash my hands before using my computer, but after 2.5 years the keys have started getting a little greasy from my finger oils. What is the best way to clean this? EDIT: Clarification - it's a laptop.
Nick Heiner
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Cleaning a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 keyboard

This is one of the best keyboards for programmers. I read an article saying that running a keyboard through the dishwasher would clean it, but I'm unsure about a keyboard like this which has a faux leather wrist guard. Any suggestions?
Clay Nichols
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3 answers

Greasy water in laptop's DIMM slot

I have a laptop that got some soup spilled onto it between the space bar and the touchpad. Almost all of the soup ended up in the upper DIMM slot which sits underneath the keyboard. I took the laptop apart and I've managed to clean and dry…
Boris B.
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How do I clean my computer using isopropyl alcohol?

I bought a spray bottle of isopropyl alcohol, but I'm having a hard time to figure out how to use it to clean my computer. My two concerns are: Can I just spray it onto the motherboard? Or should I apply it to something else (i.e. a paper…
user658091
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