Can lightly vacuuming interior computer cables & fans hurt the motheboard (like static electric discharge)?

Question

In the past I've used a combo method of getting rid of dust inside my desktop computer with: air can, and vacuuming using the brush extension at the end. I've been told that you need a special electronic vacuum to do this because a regular vacuum can discharge static buildup (or something like that). A friend told me that he always uses a regular vacuum. So I tried it and didn't really make direct contact with the mother board, but just used it over the cables, power supply, case walls, and the heat sink fan over the CPU. I would use the air can to blow off dust on the motherboard itself. So, whadda ya think? If I do it this way, will I still risk messing up the computer, and therefore should buy one of those "mini vacuums" instead? Because the blower can doesn't get rid of the dust. It just blows it somewhere else within the case and on the surrounding floor.

Answer 1

Not only can a vacuum cleaner send electrostatic discharge and damage your components, it's also way too powerful and cumbersome, and can physically damage or rip components from their socket. Buy a can of compressed air made specifically for cleaning electronics.

Answer 2

yes it can have a huge charge build up in the vacuum if its accidentally touch the motherboard it will be burn it. The best way to clean your motherboard is get a can of compressed air to clean off the dust.

Answer 3

By the book, don't do it.

By 15 years of computer experience, I have yet to screw up a mainboard by doing it.

I think a good analogy is fireworks.

You can shoot off 20 gillion of them before you catch a home on fire. But by law they are illegal and you shouldn't do it.

Like I said 15 years technician experience and I vac em out often. Never have fried it.

My advice is use a HEPA filter vac so that you don't breathe all that crap in.

Answer 4

a non static vacuum is required. a standard household vacuum can damage the computer. the safest way to remove dust is to just blow it out( i go out on my deck on a nice day to prevent angering my wife for getting dust all over her clean kitchen table).

Answer 5

DO NOT use a normal household vacuum cleaner in a PC.

If you have to cacuum out, use a proper electronics friendly one.

Alternatively, unplug it, go outside, with open side downwards, blow it out with canned air.

Simple

Answer 6

i usually just used compressed air to clean the insides of my computer. Its safer than vacuum.

Answer 7

I personally would give the computer a little more care and invest in several compressed air cans.

Answer 8

Your method sounds fine. I've used just about every method that you can think of to clean some of the machines that I've worked on.

Answer 9

static discharge, no. fluid discharge, yes. in the right circumstances.