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Maintenance
Don't think you
can ignore computer case maintenance.
Doing so WILL cost you in data, hardware, or both.
The case fan draws dust, and eventually the slots for air flow get
blocked.
Most computer cases have power supplies that blow out the back.
This means that air gets drawn into the front of the case, and through
the power supply on it's way out the back. The holes or slots gather
dust inside where you can't see it.
To prevent problems, follow these steps:
1. Purchase a
can of compressed air at a local electronics store.
A small paintbrush and a Phillips screwdriver
are needed also.
2. Turn off the
power, and touch the bare metal on the back of the case to discharge
any static electrical charge. Then unplug the power cord from the
back of the case at the power supply, or from the wall.
3. Open the case
by removing the cover using the Phillips screwdriver if needed.
4. Attach the thin plastic tube to the compressed air can nozzle.
Using the small paintbrush and blowing with the compressed air,
clean the fans and heat sincs on the motherboard, and video card.
Take care not to disturb the cable connections on the motherboard,
or drives. Then clean the power supply vents at the top of the case.
Finally, blow off the boards from top to bottom, and blow out any
remaining dust from the case.
5. Replace the cover, plug in the power cord, and turn on the computer
to make sure you haven't disturbed any cables. If there is a problem,
open the case and check for any ribbon cables that may have come
unplugged. It doesn't take much to pull them out from one end of
the connector. They might look OK, but press down on the connectors
from one end to the other to make sure.
Just because the
outside of the case looks clean, doesn't mean it's not loaded with
dust inside.
Think about this next time you change the bag on your vacuum cleaner.
At
or ATX computer case... which one do you need?
Desktop, or tower case...
which one for you?
Mini, mid, or full
tower case... what's the difference?
The computer case power
supply.... the critical component.
Computer cooling... is yours
a "cool" case? ( and we don't mean looks )
Back to Computer Case Guide
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