When using the air blower, do not let the fans spin because, when they spin by external force, they generate power and can burn PC components.
Sorry but this widespread claim is pretty much nonsense.
Yes, it is true a DC motor being forced to spin by an outside force does generate some electricity. HOWEVER the amount is insignificant compared to the 12VDC the circuit (and associated components) are designed to operate with. Fan motors are motors. And while they work on similar principles as generators, they are NOT generators!
The greater issue is
the possibility of overspinning the fans and putting extra wear on the bearings. This "abuse"
can (I did not say "will") increase aging and shorten the fan's life expectancy.
If the fan's bearings are already excessively worn, they
could seize.
So to avoid all those "
if" and "
could" "
possibilities", just don't do it. As suggested way above on page 1, post #21, I recommend using "
wooden glue/Popsicle sticks to hold the blades stationary when blasting." These sticks have rounded ends and are too soft to scratch, they are non-conductive, and they let you reach into hard-to-reach places (like the PSU).
but I don't recommend using brushes to get the dust off.
Professional, formally trained technicians have been using brushes for many decades with no problems. In fact, home environments are some of the worse because kitchen and cigarette smoke often contains oils and grease contaminants, and because pet dander can be very oily. These greasy contaminants permeate the air inside our homes and mix with dust and other contaminants in the air. Those greasy dust particles get sucked into our computer case interiors, and then get deposited (nearly glued!!!
) on to fan blades and everything else inside the case.
Over time, especially when neglected, blasting with compressed air is ineffective at removing all that caked-on, nasty crud.
FTR, computers belonging to cat owning smokers are the worst!
Using a soft brush with natural (not synthetic) bristles is, by far the best way to clean them because the bristles prevent excessive force (if not careful) by the less experienced compared to a heavy-handed finger and cloth.
Also FTR, quality cases with quality air filters, along with case fans that provide slight over/positive pressure, will prevent the vast majority (but not all) of dust and debris from entering the case. But as also noted way back on page 1,
Dust filters work but some of the dust will get inside
I haven't read all the other comments
That's too bad. You and others who join threads late should read the other comments first - especially if giving advice as opposed to just expressing your personal experienced. At the very least it avoids the same thing being said over and over and over again. For the record, posters way back on page one warned against spinning fans with compressed air.
