Effects of a dirty PC and recommend a PC cleaning service in the Philippines

[milesuy]

My PC is exteremely dirty (since I got very busy this year and neglected cleaning it for a while). I already had an asthma attack just by opening up the case (I'm very sensitive or allergic to dust).

 

What would happen if I left it running at this state?

I haven't experienced overheating or failures on the PC as of writing.

 

Can anyone recommend a PC cleaning service shop in the Philippines? (Perferrably a deep cleaning service)

As for repasting the CPU and GPU, I'll do it on my own to reduce the cost and I already have a ton of thermal paste lying around.

[Dedayog]

1 minute ago, milesuy said:

My PC is exteremely dirty (since I got very busy this year and neglected cleaning it for a while). I already had an asthma attack just by opening up the case (I'm very sensitive or allergic to dust).

 

What would happen if I left it running at this state?

I haven't experienced overheating or failures on the PC as of writing.

 

Can anyone recommend a PC cleaning service shop in the Philippines? (Perferrably a deep cleaning service)

As for repasting the CPU and GPU, I'll do it on my own to reduce the cost and I already have a ton of thermal paste lying around.

Uhm, nothing.  It would possibly overheat of the dust layer is such that the radiators can't function at all.

 

Pics?

 

Curious how dirty it can possibly be over a year, especially if you're THAT sensitive.  House must be pretty clean.

[TylerD321]

Can't you just wear an n95 mask and clean the PC outside? Cheaper than paying someone.

[Bismut]

10 minutes ago, milesuy said:

Can anyone recommend a PC cleaning service shop in the Philippines? (Perferrably a deep cleaning service)

It would be the first time I heard about something like that.

Conventional wisdom is to just take the PC out back and blow out its insides while wearing a mask, just like @TylerD321 said

[Dedayog]

 

 

[ToboRobot]

If you can't clean it yourself (perhaps a mask, open air, and or air filter/vacuum to suck the dust helps?) any PC repair shop should be able to clean it with compressed air, clean the air filters and replace any fans that are beyond their lifespan.

If you aren't having thermal problems, there aren't any reasons to be concerned about damage.  Probably don't need to repaste either. 

 

[manikyath]

5 minutes ago, Bismut said:

It would be the first time I heard about something like that.

a lot of computer shops will clean your computer for you if you ask them, but just because of how billing hours work it is impossible to be a good value for something you can do yourself.

[Bismut]

Just now, manikyath said:

a lot of computer shops will clean your computer for you if you ask them, but just because of how billing hours work it is impossible to be a good value for something you can do yourself.

Ah, sorta feels like a thing my grandpa would have done. Never considered that, but the more you know.

[milesuy]

6 minutes ago, Dedayog said:

Uhm, nothing.  It would possibly overheat of the dust layer is such that the radiators can't function at all.

 

Pics?

 

Curious how dirty it can possibly be over a year, especially if you're THAT sensitive.  House must be pretty clean.

Its about 1 year since it was last cleaned. As for how dirty, the dust filters were already full / almost clogged (so imagine what's inside), plus my area has a lot of constructions nearby for high-rise buildings (plural). My home had the windows open a few months ago, but now I can't since leaving it for the day triggers my allergy and I can alraedy see a lot of dust on my table.

 

5 minutes ago, TylerD321 said:

Can't you just wear an n95 mask and clean the PC outside? Cheaper than paying someone.

I got lazy when I saw the amount of dust, and my asthma is already acting up, I don't wanna risk worsening it.

[ToboRobot]

Just now, Bismut said:

Ah, sorta feels like a thing my grandpa would have done. Never considered that, but the more you know.

I've been paid to do things like reset a router or turn a printer off and on. 

It solved the problem, and people were happy to pay for that because they didn't have the time, skill or interest, and had money. 

Allergies can force people to hire others to avoid doing easy work that would cause health issues, for example if you are allergic to cleaning products, you might hire a cleaner.

[milesuy]

19 minutes ago, Bismut said:

It would be the first time I heard about something like that.

Conventional wisdom is to just take the PC out back and blow out its insides while wearing a mask, just like @TylerD321 said

 

16 minutes ago, ToboRobot said:

If you can't clean it yourself (perhaps a mask, open air, and or air filter/vacuum to suck the dust helps?) any PC repair shop should be able to clean it with compressed air, clean the air filters and replace any fans that are beyond their lifespan.

If you aren't having thermal problems, there aren't any reasons to be concerned about damage.  Probably don't need to repaste either. 

I would clean it myself if it wasn't that bad. As for deep cleaning, I might as well find this type of service as I'm already spending money, and a part of it is that I want to see my PC as if it was brand new again since I saw a couple of my friends bought new PCs .

 

17 minutes ago, Dedayog said:

 

 

I also don't have the equipment, like the ultrasonic cleaner, which is very pricy.

[Bismut]

1 hour ago, milesuy said:

I also don't have the equipment, like the ultrasonic cleaner, which is very pricy.

I though you could get those for 100USD or so? But you also do not need one, and I doubt that most PC shops are going to have one they are using for PC parts. They might have an air compressor, but that is about it

[Avaviel]

Ok, so, the ultrasonic cleaner is a bit of a red herring. You DO NOT need to go that far, unless the humidity has been extreme in your place. Philippines... so maybe, but I doubt it if you keep your PC inside and it hasn't been rained on.

What you need is to take the computer outside. Open it up. Put your hand on the case AND DON'T LET GO WHILE BLOWING. This is so that static electricity won't jump and burn stuff. You can adjust your hand, just don't let go while using any vac or blow settings. Then, use an air compressor to blow in the case. Don't spin the fans with the air, hold them in place. Be careful not to aim the jet of air at the fan blades themselves.

As for how to blow the air... if you know someone with an auto shop. Or if you know someone with a wood working shop, they may have one. Or, you could purchase a blower for around 500 pesos. https://shopee.ph/search?keyword=air blower I also found this 12V air compressor.

Can't help with the allergies thing. I have allergies, but still do this stuff. HYPER allergic to dust. I use a good mask and use the blower outside... I'll be doing this tonight for my PC.

[ToboRobot]

Yeah, if it's just a dust issue, ultrasonic cleaning is totally overkill.

Blow out the dust with air.  That's the job.  Maybe replace some fans if the dust has effected balance and worn the motor enough to effect performance/sound.

 

[Lurking]

Heard of a vacuum? 

[Avaviel]

10 hours ago, Lurking said:

Heard of a vacuum? 

Vacuums don't do well with dust, I've found. Much better to blow it out.

And like... I rate your comment 4/10. Could have had better execution.

[Lurking]

6 hours ago, Avaviel said:

Vacuums don't do well with dust, I've found. Much better to blow it out.

And like... I rate your comment 4/10. Could have had better execution.

OP was concerned about inhaling dust. Blowing dirt all over the room isn't the best. Vacuums suck up dust and larger dirt. That's kind of their whole purpose.

 

Maybe the vacuum doesn't get the tiniest layer of dust out of all nooks and crannies. But that is not the dust preventing cooling.

 

Best to use a case with good filter and elevate it a bit from floor. Clean filter. Then the dust inside the PC should be minimal. Keeping the room clean also helps. If you do all that, there is no way the inside gets very dirty in a year unless you live in a cement factory.

 

You should try using a vacuum before judging. 

[Needfuldoer]

23 minutes ago, Lurking said:

OP was concerned about inhaling dust. Blowing dirt all over the room isn't the best.

That's why you dust the computer outside.

 

Vacuuming a PC out is less than ideal because the plastic hoses and brushes can build up static electricity.

[Avaviel]

4 hours ago, Lurking said:

OP was concerned about inhaling dust. Blowing dirt all over the room isn't the best. Vacuums suck up dust and larger dirt. That's kind of their whole purpose.

 

Maybe the vacuum doesn't get the tiniest layer of dust out of all nooks and crannies. But that is not the dust preventing cooling.

 

Best to use a case with good filter and elevate it a bit from floor. Clean filter. Then the dust inside the PC should be minimal. Keeping the room clean also helps. If you do all that, there is no way the inside gets very dirty in a year unless you live in a cement factory.

 

You should try using a vacuum before judging. 

I have used one. I have worked in computer repair for years. The best vacuums don't have the right pull. They leave a coating on certain hard to reach areas.

They are not as effective as even simple blowing. Even a 500 peso (Around $8.00 USD) blower would do better than a vacuum.

And, yes, I said to use it outside. Please refer back to the previous comment where I gave detailed instructions on how to blow out and clean a computer.

 

22 hours ago, Avaviel said:

What you need is to take the computer outside. Open it up. Put your hand on the case AND DON'T LET GO WHILE BLOWING. This is so that static electricity won't jump and burn stuff. You can adjust your hand, just don't let go while using any vac or blow settings. Then, use an air compressor to blow in the case. Don't spin the fans with the air, hold them in place. Be careful not to aim the jet of air at the fan blades themselves.

 

[FancyPants101]

If you are lazy you could open a window and blow air out of the window with a powerful fan. Then use a compressor to blow it towards the window. While doing this you could also use  vacuum to suck up stuff near you. But you would need to make sure it doesn't swarm the room. And wear a mask I would assume. Probably best to do it outside. In fact you could do the same thing outside so the fan blows it away from you... No idea. Just spitballing.

 

Other option is to ask someone else to air compress it if you can't do it yourself. If you have asthma and family members around maybe them or a friend could help.