Re: [OT] how to clean grime off old computer MB?
On Sat, Mar 08, 2008 at 11:05:34PM -0600, Russell L. Harris wrote:
> >> I have a couple of new-to-me old computers. They've been well used
> >> in what looks like a normal office environment and they're a bit
> >> grimey inside; not just dust that blows away. I figure that I
> >> should clean that off so the dust doesn't act like a thermal
> >> insulator but I'm unsure what to use, since air alone isn't doing
> >> it. I don't want to remove e.g. the CPU from its socket. (P-133,
> >> socket 7).
>
> You need to remove all socketed devices, and especially the CPU.
>
> Cleaning presents a danger to the aluminum electrolytic capacitors.
> Some chemicals quickly penetrate the seals and ruin the capacitors.
Yeah, that's my concern. Boards are usually cleaned of flux after the
soldering with circuit-board cleaner, which presumably is safe for the
newly-soldered caps.
I'll look, but I think that the only socketed devices are the two CPUs.
I do have heat-grease.
> A mild concentration of dish detergent (not alkaline dishwasher
> detergent) in water and a toothbrush, followed by a hair dryer (but be
> careful not to get the electrolytic capacitors too warm! -- they can
> burst!) likely is the safest approach.
>
> I think that the use of alcohol might be a mistake. At best, alcohol
> would help get rid of water held by capillary action in the sockets,
> but warming the board with a hair dryer accomplishes that.
>
> If you have an instrument service shop in your town, phone or visit
> and ask the technician what he uses. Some do use a dishwasher, but I
> do not know what detergent is safe for the electrolytics (as well as
> safe for the pump seals of the dishwasher).
I haven't seen any service shops around here. The attitude seems to be
swap and replace defective parts rather than cleaning and repairing. A
computer more than 6 months old is considered "old".
> Years ago, you could purchase a gallon can of Freon-TF, which I
> believe was safe for aluminum electrolytics; with Freon-TF, you simply
> put the motherboard in a shallow pan and rinse or soak the board.
Since my main concern is keeping the chips cool (including the CPU
coolers), I may worry about surface-cleaning those with e.g. damp Q-tip
and not try to soak the board and risk the caps.
Thanks,
Doug.
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