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HOW
IS A COMPUTER LIKE A VACUUM CLEANER?
All
computers have one, two, or more fans inside the case, beginning with the fan
for the power supply. All of these fans have one job, to pull outside
air into your machine and help keep these delicate
components cool.
Therefore they are drawing in more and more air as well as dust, fibers, pet
hair, etc. that every house or office has floating around.
If
your computer is on the floor AND
the floor is carpeted, it is drawing in lots of dust, dirt, lint, cat and
other pet hairs. Every time you
walk across a carpeted floor, you have a cloud of dust as high as your knees
or higher following with you. Ever see those dust motes floating in the
air when bright sunshine is coming through the window? These are being
drawn into your computer.
When
dust is drawn into a computer, it likes to pack itself into tiny spaces, such
as areas inside your power supply, the heat sink of your processor, etc.
As this dust builds up inside the computer case, it interferes with the
cooling.
The
end result could be a power supply melt down causing a failed processor, or
worst of all, a failed power supply that flashes increased voltage when it
fails.
This can, and often does cause the processor and motherboard to fail. Don't wait for that terrible smell and blank screen that indicates something has gone very wrong. Clean dust build up out of your machine and power supply with a can of compressed air, or have it professionally cleaned.
Keep
your computer screen clean using an antistatic cleaner (glass cleaner in a
pinch) and a soft cloth. Never spray anything on your computer, monitor
screen, or any other components. Spray your cloth, then clean the
machine. Turn the machine off before cleaning it. If you have a
flat panel (LCD), follow manufacturer's suggested methods for cleaning to
prevent damage to the display.
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