Tips on cleaning the inside of a PowerMac

[Shake 'n' Bake]

We got a new furnace today and during the replacement, soot got everywhere. My PowerMac G4 Digital Audio was running the entire time, sucking and blowing the soot (you couldn't see it, but it did happen). My white Apple keyboard and Mighty Mouse are grey as well.

Any tips for cleaning it out? I wiped off one of the HDDs, and it had some soot on it and I'm a bit paranoid about the cleanliness of my computers.

My Mac mini (mid-'07) was also running for the entire time, although because it only has the exhaust vent I'm not as worried, but if you've got tips for cleaning that, I am looking for an excuse to open it .

Thanks.

PS: I'll probably open and clean everything that has either slats on the top or a fan to bring air in that was on.

 

[300D]

Get a can of compressed air from wal-mart or any electronics store.

 

[Tesselator]

By the time you buy 10 or 20 cans you could have paid for a small air-compressor.

 

[300D]

And that cost of that air compressor is what you'll need to fix the damage done by it.

If you're using that many cans at a time on 1-2 computers, you don't know what you're doing.

 

[alphaod]

Just get a computer vacuum.

 

[beaker7]

high pressure washer

 

[Shake 'n' Bake]

I do have an air compressor. I'll likely do that unless I can find what alphaod is talking about.

Just get a computer vacuum.

I've never seen one. Where do you get them and how much do they cost?

 

[giltnerj0]

RE : Air Compressor

Just make sure your air compressor doesn't put out a lot of oil with the air.

Or you can just take it outside and fire up a leaf blower.

 

[Tesselator]

Just make sure your air compressor doesn't put out a lot of oil with the air.

Yeah, that's true. Set the compressor to a lower setting and blast your hand every 4 or 5 blasts you give the computer. To check for condensation or escaping tank oils. You won't break anything though. I've been cleaning computers for 25 years this way. Just don't blast directly into the opening of your ODD (or a floppy if you have one) and you'll be fine. You have to really try to do that anyway.

 

[Shake 'n' Bake]

Yeah, that's true. Set the compressor to a lower setting and blast your hand every 4 or 5 blasts you give the computer. To check for condensation or escaping tank oils. You won't break anything though. I've been cleaning computers for 25 years this way. Just don't blast directly into the opening of your ODD (or a floppy if you have one) and you'll be fine. You have to really try to do that anyway.

Thanks. I'll give that a go tomorrow.

I tried to clean my keyboard today, and it still has some soot on it. Tomorrow I'll have to individually wash each key. I can't wait .

 

[UltraNEO*]

It's a Dyson. Of course!

I just use this...

Get's out EVERYTHING!!!

 

[Shake 'n' Bake]

That probably costs more than my Mac mini is worth.

Although, my mom is "passively" looking for a vacuum...

 

[Tesselator]

Best vacuum cleaner I've ever owned! And you can get one for your mom for only $4.00 now!

http://cgi.ebay.com/vintage-kirby-u...emQQssPageNameZRSS:B:SRCH:US:101#ht_500wt_904

 

[UltraNEO*]

Best vacuum cleaner I've ever owned! And you can get one for your mom for only $4.00 now!

http://cgi.ebay.com/vintage-kirby-upright-vacuum-model-518-plus-attachments_W0QQitemZ120458704511QQcmdZViewItemQQssPageNameZRSS:B:SRCH:US:101#ht_500wt_904

Thanks all the same but I'll stick to my Dyson.. My mother has a cat and it sometimes comes home with fleas and I'm allergic to them!! But my Dyson ain't!

*switches on the Dyson*

Here kitty, kitty, kitty...

 

[UltraNEO*]

That probably costs more than my Mac mini is worth.

Although, my mom is "passively" looking for a vacuum...

Probably.. They're super expensive in Japan! I saw them in some department store 175,000円 once and I thought OMG!!!

 

[Tesselator]

Thanks all the same but I'll stick to my Dyson.. My mother has a cat and it sometimes comes home with fleas and I'm allergic to them!! But my Dyson ain't!

*switches on the Dyson*

Here kitty, kitty, kitty...

Running that Kerby over your cat would be a much more permanent solution!

 

[wpc33]

I've used swiffer dusters like handrags many times to great results. Not sure if the static that makes those work could ever kill a thing.

PS: Put your keyboard in the dishwasher! If it's dry as abone before you ever plug it back in, it will work...and squeak to the touch

 

[Shake 'n' Bake]

I've used swiffer dusters like handrags many times to great results. Not sure if the static that makes those work could ever kill a thing.

PS: Put your keyboard in the dishwasher! If it's dry as abone before you ever plug it back in, it will work...and squeak to the touch

Swiffer duster looks like it's a static electricity magnet. Not the best idea.

I did a thread about keyboards and dishwashers. We determined it's not the best idea to put a keyboard in the dishwasher. I take mine completely apart and wash everything except the metal piece.

 

[Tesselator]

LOL! KB in a dishwasher... Ha ha...

I just unplug, spray with rubbing alcohol, and wipe with tish. Looks brand-new every time.

PS: They were ripping you off UltraNEO. Dysons started out here at between $400 and $600. And today they're still about that. The one for your cat is about $200 :