[artlady]

My computer is ,I am quite sure filled with tobacco and dust and I want to clean it before it fries like its two predecessors.

I have cleaned fans and so forth before but my sons tell me the dust is a conduit to a short so I have to take it apart.

I just want to suck it all out with a vacuum hose and that's it.

I can't fry another one with this nasty habit.:eek:

[Scleros]

My computer is ,I am quite sure filled with tobacco and dust...I just want to suck it all out with a vacuum hose and that's it.

Heh, you're in for a treat when you open the computer up if the computer has some age. The smoke, tar, and dust congeals into a yellow sticky gooey mess that cannot be blown off with the typical can duster or sucked off with a vac. I have a shop vac and an air compressor at the shop for cleaning and they are marginally effective. The stuff has to be scrubbed off - usually not worth the time involved compared to the cost of a replacement part such as a power supply which would have to be opened up and cleaned (DO NOT DO THIS - Electrocution Hazard).

As far as safety is concerned with a standard house vac, static electricity can buildup on the nozzle and potentially damage components. Avoid touching anything with the nozzle. Also ground yourself by touching the computer's metal chassis. This should be done with the power cord installed (provides path to ground), the power cord then disconnected, and wait for the motherboard to drain before actual cleaning. Some boards have a little LED light that will go out in ~30 seconds to indicate board is depowered. Once grounded, minimize movement that could create additional static due to carpet, sneakers, curious fluffy kitty, etc.

Good luck...

[artlady]

Had to spread the rep Scleros . Wanted to give you a greenie for good answer. Rules and rules :)
Thanks for the info, I guess you are telling me what my kids did.
I am so paranoid of a shock that I won't play with this at all.
Much appreciated.Have a good one!

[Scleros]

I am so paranoid of a shock that I won't play with this at all.

I may have given the wrong impression. You can certainly open the computer up and attempt to dust and clean it without serious risk of shock. The power supply component however is another matter and should be replaced if substantially dirty, fan stopped, etc. instead of cleaning attempted.

I don't know if the smoke/dust mixture is conductive or not. The goo does interfere with fan performance and probably also acts as an insulator on heat sinks leading to overheating failures. An example of the airflow impediment it can cause is shown for the processor heat sink for Computer #3 at Computer Killers - Pet Hair, Dust and Cigarette Smoke.