Computer query - should I pull it off and hoover?

[LCpl Boiled Egg]

I've used a hoover on a graphics card and it never worked again. I've also used compressed air which did nothing to shift thick dust and just made the whole thing cold. Taking the PC outside and using a soft brush on it is (IMO) the cheapest and best option - you shouldn't even need to remove the heatsink from the CPU. For what it''s worth I don't even think it's that dirty, but you may as well give it a quick brush while you've got the lid off. Do the same with the case fan(s) and anywhere else that looks dusty.

 

[martint235]

I tend to just hoover the fans and the PSU. In fact the PC is due another hoover when I put the new hard drive in at the weekend.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I would attack with ahoover, but don't let the tip of the hoover nozzle actually touch the insides of the desktop. Also leave the mains cable plugged in, but turned off at the wall. This (assuming you are in the UK and it is a standard 3 pin plug) allows the earth pin to keep your desktop earthed whilst you hoover the insides (I prefer hoovering to using a clean dry paint brush because of my asthma). There is no reason why the fan can't be removed and cleaned up, but if you remove the heatsink you will probably need to replace the 'cement' afterwards. It is vital that the pc has a good coverage of this between the processor and the heatsink.

As for constantly dropping the connection? It is more normally caused by too many wireless networks trying to use the same set of ranges and none of them having been 'balanced' or 'tuned' both in terms of power output and frequency. It is very common in more densely populated areas such as flats and the best thing that can be done is to download a piece of software which analyses the local wireless signals and then changing what frequency your wireless box is transmitting. (I will post back with a link later, given I can't remember what the software is and I have recently rebuilt my laptop so it is not currently installed.)

 

[fossyant]

PS you can get a free app for your phone that will tell you which WIFI channels are free, and which conjested. WIFI Analyser for Android.

 

[Sillyoldman]

Thanks all. I don't suppose this heat business could have anything to do with the way the wifi keeps dropping its connection (then coming back)? (Oh, and no, I can't use a cable...the router's in the attic, I'm on the ground floor.)

If you did want to cable connect your PC to router there are adapters you plug into a 13amp mains power socket and then use a network cable from this adapter to the PC and router. So you just need a 13 amp power socket close by at each device and away you go, networking over your electrical mains. A mate does it and it works well. The adapters are a little pricey but readily available.

 

[swee'pea99]

Thanks. Hmmm, yes, now you've reminded me, a friend mentioned these and I meant to look into it. I presume I can combine such a system with wi-fi-ness? Ie, it doesn't disable the router's wi-fi capability (which everyone else in the house would still need to rely on).

 

[Dan B]

Yes, sure. I have a wifi router upstairs, with the DSL modem plugged into its wan port and one side of the powerline connection plugged into its LAN side, then another wifi access point downstairs with the other end of the powerline connection plugged into one of its lan ports (raspberry pi and sky box plugged into the other lan ports). The downstairs wifi point has dhcp server disabled and nothing plugged into its wan port, and wireless devices (tablets, phones etc) can associate to whichever of upstairs or downstairs is giving them a usably strong signal.

 

[Octet]

There is no reason why the fan can't be removed and cleaned up, but if you remove the heatsink you will probably need to replace the 'cement' afterwards. It is vital that the pc has a good coverage of this between the processor and the heatsink.

You don't want to apply too much thermal paste.
A pea sized amount is more than enough, simply place the heat-sink on afterwards, too much and not only do you reduce the thermal contact but it makes a mess.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

You don't want to apply too much thermal paste.
A pea sized amount is more than enough, simply place the heat-sink on afterwards, too much and not only do you reduce the thermal contact but it makes a mess.

yep - see my signature for my occupation...