Expensive stuff, static.

[kinmel]

Opened up my main PC today to add another HDD and noticed all the fans were full of fluff.

Switched it off at the double pole switch, got the vacuum cleaner out and gave it all a thorough clean out.

When I re-booted I got the dreaded acoustic  BIOS message for a faulty graphics card and swapping it out proved that I have fried it 

First time I have managed to do that, I must have just been lucky in the past.

In Manchester tomorrow, so a chance to give Scan another £120 !!!!!!

[Steve]

Oh dear

I tend to use a hairdryer for that and leave someone else to vac and dust the room

[zappaDPJ]

That rings a rather nasty bell. I used the vacuum to clean out my last PC and when I switched it back on there was a huge bang and a bad smell of electrical burning that hung around the case for weeks. Soemthing in the PSU had exploded and taken out just about every component.

[Simon]

Bad luck Alan, and Zap.  I've always been slightly paranoid about static, and if I have to open my case, I use a wrist strap, and place the case on a (dry!) bath towel.  I don't know if this helps, of whether I've just been lucky, but I haven't managed to fry anything yet, and usually, I'm like a Van de Graaff generator, especially when getting out of the car!

[Glenn]

http://www.build-your-own-cheap-computer.com/static-electricity.html

[faircot]

Switched it off at the double pole switch, got the vacuum cleaner out and gave it all a thorough clean out.

Been there. First time I decided to spring clean the dog hair from my PC, I used a cheap artificial-fibre paint brush to dislodge the dust from the motherboard and all the nooks and crannies before getting Henry to suck out the crud. Big mistake, because I never could discover what I had killed. These days I'm much more cautious and always leave the mains lead connected when I open the case, and keep away from the motherboard.

[mrapoc]

i nowadays use either a paintbrush to brush away dust or/and use a can of compressed air (expensive stuff!)

[Baz]

    have done that loads of times and never zapped any thing.How does using a vacuum cause that.

will have to be more careful now then 

[Rik]

The only thing I can think of, Baz, is plastic components generating static.

[Baz]

ah yeah  of course

[Glenn]

The movement of the air molecules hitting each other causes static to build up, in the same way as a thunder storm generates lightning.

[Rik]

An even better explanation. 

[Baz]

but you will get air molecule movement with any thing you use surely.  why so bad with a vacuum

[Rik]

I'll let Glenn explain. 

[Baz]

   yes it could get a tad confusing from here on

[Rik]

 

[Glenn]

http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/static.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Static_electricity

[Baz]

chicken Glenn   

[Glenn]

Why do the work again, when someone has done it far better than I could.

[vitriol]

I've always used compressed air, no problems so far.  I think the last tin I bought was £6.

[Rik]

If you have a local Costco, they do multipacks which work out at £4/can.

[Niall]

I wouldn't use a hoover to clean the PC as it's known to do this sort of thing. I also wouldn't use compressed air as that can contain small amounts of water.

I actually blow out any loose dust, then take out each component to give me room to wipe out the case. I use an old sock to clean the fans I've also got a little brush that came with a set of hair graders that I use to clean the graphics card and sound card with.

[Technical Ben]

Do not use a vacuum cleaner! Oh, too late. Never use one. If there is dust, push it away. Or use a old tooth brush and gently brush it a side (don't scrub it!). Should clean up easy. If you don't let it build up in the first place it's not as bad.

[kinmel]

Yet more experience paid for in cash, better than paying with pain.

Anyway I never let a mistake become a mis-fortune and since I HAD to buy a new graphics card, I took the opportunity to upgrade without a guilty conscience  

p.s.   Scan's sales area is being modernised at the moment and it is becoming a very superior establishment.  In the 20 years I have been using them they have always impressed me with their impeccable service and knowledge, all combined with business skills matched by very few companies.  You feel honoured to be allowed to spend money there.

[Technical Ben]

What card did they recommend then?