Step-by-step guide on how to clean your computer

Thread Content

Hello, dear netizens. In the first episode, we discussed some so-called \"ghost products\" available on the market, as well as our views and insights on such products. The second episode focused on guiding everyone on how to remove dust and emphasizing the importance of doing so. Starting from the second episode, each episode will include answers to the various questions raised by netizens in the previous episodes, with an interactive section at the last page. Without further ado, let’s get straight to the point: After using your computer for a while, you might notice that something is not right. You may find that the computer has slowed down, its internal components are hotter than before, and it makes more noise than when it was first assembled, with a buzzing sound. Perhaps this is because the ‘clothes’ of your beloved device are dirty, and you need to help clean them up so as to dress it in ‘new clothes’. Let’s first reveal some spy photos of the side panels of this chassis – there’s a certain charm to the dust on them. When it comes to dust, many DIY enthusiasts find it quite troublesome. In today’s world where PM2.5 particles are widespread, it’s inevitable to come into contact with such particles and dust at home. Failing to clean the dust inside the chassis over time can lead to problems such as slow memory performance, malfunctioning graphics cards, and power supply failures, thereby affecting the entire system. Some might argue, “Just avoid dust, why spend time cleaning it? The issue isn’t in dealing with dust after it appears, but in preventing it from forming in the first place.” That’s true! Prevention is a good idea – buy a case with a comprehensive dust filter, and then reinforce it as much as possible. But Wang Xiaobai has something to say: if you try to completely avoid dust, it’s absolutely impossible to do so! You can’t guarantee that the air quality is comparable to that in other places, and it’s impossible to truly ensure complete cleanliness, so... just thoroughly clean the dust. But when I saw this case... my eyes were in shock – an old case, messy wiring, and a thick layer of dust. Damn! Dude, you’re really trying to tease me here. Are those colorful wires meant to look cute? Is your case from the last century? No, this must be some kind of time travel. I’d better take some medicine; I can’t give up on treatment. I really don’t know how I agreed to clean it for him. When I saw the messier than ever appearance of the case, the 2MM of dust inside it, and all those messy wires, Wang Xiaobai’s only thought was that he had to keep working. Could I just go back and let him spray me? That wasn’t something consistent with Wang Xiaobai’s tendency to take on everything on his own. So he gritted his teeth and continued working! Well, enough complaining – let’s get to work, tearing it down! Wang Xiaobai helps create a clean environment inside the computer case. Cleaning dust requires certain manual skills, as well as a good understanding of computer assembly and an awareness of relevant technical knowledge; only those with such skills should attempt this task. If one lacks these skills or knows nothing about computer cases, it is advised not to try to do it by oneself, but rather to ask for help from friends. Otherwise, after cleaning the dust, one might end up with a computer that cannot be turned on once it’s reassembled. It’s in place; preparation for disassembly begins. The interior of this chassis is like a disaster zone – it resembles a chassis recovered from the ruins after an earthquake of XX magnitude. Before cleaning the dust, it’s necessary to prepare the required tools first. A rubber blower and a dust blower are the two main tools used for removing dust. Of course, if there are too many fingerprints or dirt marks on the surface of your case, you can use art-grade 2B or 4B erasers to remove them without using water. Do not use heat-generating devices such as hair dryers to blow away dust, as prolonged exposure to heat can be harmful to the internal components. A fan would be ideal; if one isn’t available, then a rubber blower will do – it’s inexpensive and durable. It is recommended not to use brushes that are too hard; static brushes should be used instead. It would be terrible if static electricity caused the electronic components on the motherboard, graphics card, or other components to be damaged. http://2b.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_500x2000/337/ceyLchaBAAuqI.jpg Static fine-bristled brush. The final step in preparation is to find a well-ventilated area, wear a mask, and start cleaning the dust thoroughly. Remember to handle everything with care, as electronic components are very fragile. Wash your hands before starting the cleaning process; it’s also a good idea to wear rubber gloves. Be sure to keep any substances that could generate static electricity away from the internal hardware. Now, let’s start cleaning the dust. Wang Xiaobai’s approach is to first remove the power supply and the hard drive that is located on the side. Since the hard drive compartment in the chassis is designed to be tool-free, it’s relatively easy to remove the hard drive. Next, the cables are unplugged and set aside, after which the four screws holding the power supply in place are removed. The surface of the power supply can then be cleaned, as it’s easy to remove since it’s held together by only four screws. Moreover, after removing the power supply, it allows the wires that are piled up inside to be taken out as well, so that they can be cleaned together. http://2a.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_240x2000/528/ceMlfTy5gykKI.jpg http://2b.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_240x2000/529/ceh0AKLlb8zvE.jpg Remove the hard drive and power supply. http://2e.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_500x2000/476/ceq3hYJNnMYA.jpg This hard drive isn’t dirty at all; use a brush to clean it slowly, without applying too much force. After cleaning it thoroughly, use a dust blower to remove any dust that remains in hard-to-reach areas. Next, start removing the memory module; it can be easily taken out by unscrewing the clamps on either side, and it is also relatively easy to clean. http://2e.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_500x2000/500/ceYqX5X9vvAlQ.jpg The memory modules have been cleaned; set them aside for now. Once the memory has been cleaned, it’s time to remove the motherboard. In some cases, the screws used to secure the motherboard in the chassis, as well as the copper pins underneath, become worn and rusty. When dealing with such old and oxidized screws, don’t try to force them open; a few screws aren’t expensive, but if the motherboard gets damaged in the process, it will be a costly mistake. http://2b.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_500x2000/491/cesWw4RTxAk.jpg After removing the platform, I… I couldn’t even bear to look at that radiator. After Wang Xiaobai took off the platform, the dust on the radiator was so thick that it was unbearable to look at; but he ignored it and continued with the disassembly! http://2f.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_500x2000/513/ceR9pA6M1832.jpg You need to scan it bit by bit; patience is required. http://2b.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_500x2000/521/ce6hEnj2qm20A.jpg Do you know? It’s a blue fan! http://2c.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_500x2000/540/ceJt8xjsYtY.jpg I spent some time trying to clean it, and finally managed to do it. Cleaning the fan is relatively simple – just use a brush to scrub it. It’s important to note that in the case of fans with hydraulic bearings or those that are easy to disassemble, over time the lubricant may run out; applying some lubricant can be very effective, as it helps keep the fan well-lubricated, increases its speed and cooling capacity, while also ensuring quiet operation. After removing the platform, it’s necessary to clean it carefully, step by step. Be sure not to use too much force when using a brush; some electronic components are quite fragile. Moreover, since this motherboard is quite old, it’s impossible to know where damage might occur accidentally after cleaning, so it’s best to be cautious and thorough. Patience and care are essential. http://2a.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_500x2000/502/ceYl7rbYL9cR.jpg The motherboard was also very dirty. At that moment, Wang Xiaobai wasn’t wearing gloves and touched the motherboard directly, which is not correct; Xiaobai himself realized later that this was inappropriate. Netizens, please don’t follow my example – it’s better to wear gloves when coming into contact with the internal components. http://2d.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_500x2000/505/ced5idyNlodps.jpg First, sweep away the loose dust. http://2d.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_500x2000/511/ceSkty4yipdZI.jpg Blow on the areas where it’s okay to do so – be very gentle, as this will prevent damaging the motherboard. It’s better to use a brush to remove dust from larger areas first, and then use a can of air to blow away the dust from the edges and corners. Avoid blowing air into the card slots; hold the can at an angle and blow downward. http://2e.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_500x2000/542/cePEakf1kwO1c.jpg There’s a lot of dust. After cleaning the motherboard and internal components, I moved the case around and noticed the dirt on the table; Wang Xiaobai is now blind. Once the interior has been cleaned, it’s time to clean the case as well as the various fans located in it, which is also quite important. Just imagine: you’ve just taken a shower, but your smelly clothes and dirty pants still need to be washed. Would it be okay to go out wearing them after taking a shower? Well, enough about Wang Xiaobai for now; let’s continue cleaning the dust. The interior of the platform has been cleaned up, and now we’re moving on to cleaning the chassis. Since the acrylic side panels of this chassis are missing and the internal components aren’t complete, that’s why the inside is so dirty. Wang Xiaobai kept advising that guy to get a different chassis, but in the end I gave up on that idea and decided to clean it slowly anyway. http://2a.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_500x2000/472/ce4sD7Raw6JEE.jpg There is a dust-proof and breathable mesh on the panel of the chassis; this mesh is quite dirty. First, use a brush to remove the loose dust from the outside, and then disassemble it to clean the interior as well as the fans. http://2b.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_240x2000/557/ceac3HgfOxsYY.jpg http://2c.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_240x2000/552/ceaKxXHu1buWk.jpg Can you see the dust in the air? http://2a.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_500x2000/562/ceQoGEOvRvR0c.jpg When the panel is removed, there’s still dust everywhere inside. http://2b.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_500x2000/563/cesVSkNdOnF6.jpg Use a brush to clean it slowly; some force can be applied here. http://2d.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_500x2000/565/cezqmytb6yEDY.jpg The fan has been cleaned. There’s nothing special to note when cleaning this area – just make sure to be careful with the wires when removing the panel, don’t pull too hard, and store all the screws properly so they don’t get scattered. If possible, buy some new screws, as screws can rust over time. http://2e.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_500x2000/560/ceiFT4EVhvSGs.jpg The panel has been cleaned. Ignore Wang Xiaobai’s strong forearms; the front panel of the chassis has been cleaned. Since Wang Xiaobai was in such a hurry at that time, he didn’t take pictures of the fan area at the top and the upper panel, so that’s the end of the dust-cleaning process for the chassis. The result is quite good. All the dust has been removed, and now it’s possible to start installing all the platforms. The installation process can be followed using the same steps used when assembling a computer. Since most home computers are placed in bedrooms, this special environment leads to significantly more dust compared to normal settings. In summer, computers typically use an air flow system that directs air from the front to the back; as a result, the computer’s chassis acts as a huge dust filter. http://2c.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_500x2000/340/cenoJnH9AosJw.jpg – Step-by-step guide to installing the platform. http://2c.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_500x2000/358/cehImyYEALP2w.jpg – Cleaning the side panels at the end. http://2d.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_500x2000/341/ceRmdIY7XONE.jpg http://2f.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_240x2000/349/ceNum7jQv6o.jpg http://2f.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_240x2000/343/ceSn7Yzo7Ts52.jpg – After installing the machine, dust can be cleaned up easily. http://2a.zol-img.com.cn/product/127_500x2000/350/cefrnN8agmhM.jpg – This shows just a small amount of dust; in winter, it’s important to take proper care of our computers to reduce noise and enjoy a quiet time until the New Year arrives. There are many people who prefer to stay at home these days, and living in this way is also a lifestyle choice. A quiet computer helps one to make the most of winter days. Cleaning a computer once does not take too long, and knowing how to clean and maintain it is also something we should be able to do. Starting from this issue, the interactive section will appear on the last page of the “My Name is Wang Xiaobai” section. Let’s get started right away: The first message comes from a user on QQ; there are so many of them that I can only refer to them collectively as “ZOL users,” ignoring their individual IDs. To get to the point: this user wants to assemble a computer and has sent Wang Xiaobai a list of specifications. The main question is regarding suitable options for the computer case power supply.