AKB: Is opening your computer and cleaning the dust out of it viable for a civilian?

[op2]

My computer has been freezing up, forcing a re-start more and more often. It's at the point where it happens every couple hours. If I have to buy a new one so be it but I'm researching first why it happens so if I can fix it myself, I'll do it. Any thoughts on that are welcome. Interesting, 75% of the time that it freezes up it just freezes up but the other 25% it freezes up while also making a buzzing noise.

The Internet says one possibility is that it is overheating due to a lot of dust and the computers internals sensors sense that and shuts the computer down (by freezing it up). So I'm thinking of unplugging it, getting a little screwdriver and taking off the side, and sucking out the dust. Can I do this? Do I need special equipment or is my regular vacuum, with its attachment for narrow places, good enough?

Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[SleepyLion]

My computer has been freezing up, forcing a re-start more and more often. It's at the point where it happens every couple hours. If I have to buy a new one so be it but I'm researching first why it happens so if I can fix it myself, I'll do it. Any thoughts on that are welcome. Interesting, 75% of the time that it freezes up it just freezes up but the other 25% it freezes up while also making a buzzing noise.

The Internet says one possibility is that it is overheating due to a lot of dust and the computers internals sensors sense that and shuts the computer down (by freezing it up). So I'm thinking of unplugging it, getting a little screwdriver and taking off the side, and sucking out the dust. Can I do this? Do I need special equipment or is my regular vacuum, with its attachment for narrow places, good enough?

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Yes, you can do this.

I would use canned air and a regular vacuum.

You should be okay if it is unplugged, but some capacitors may still have a charge. Keep yourself grounded so you do not build up any static.

 

[AvgUser]

Get a compressed air can and blow out any dirt/dust

 

[op2]

I think I've seen computer people use one of these compressed air cans. Any idea where I can get one? So, just get one and blow all over the computers guts at close range? Or what?

As far as keeping myself grounded, I don't know how to do that.

 

[RolexKong]

I think I've seen computer people use one of these compressed air cans. Any idea where I can get one? So, just get one and blow all over the computers guts at close range? Or what?

As far as keeping myself grounded, I don't know how to do that.

Costco carries. Otherwise try Staples or Best Buy.

Use them in short bursts (and outside or in a garage).. Also a soft brush is helpful to dislodge dust tthat sticks to components and fan blades.

 

[op2]

I forgot to mention that in addition to freezing up and forcing a hard re-start, sometimes it simply just restarts itself out of the blue. It's somewhat annoying but OTOH it's less annoying than when it freezes up entirely and I have to do a hard re-start.

 

[RolexKong]

I forgot to mention that in addition to freezing up and forcing a hard re-start, sometimes it simply just restarts itself out of the blue. It's somewhat annoying but OTOH it's less annoying than when it freezes up entirely and I have to do a hard re-start.

How old is your computer and what operating system are you running?

 

[op2]

How old is your computer and what operating system are you running?

It is running Windows 11 Pro.

I'm not sure exactly how old it is but probably 8-9 years. It did occur to me that it may just be reaching the end of the line and I should get a new one but I figured I'd try to see if I could fix it myself first. It is a Solid State computer and the first Solid State one I've ever had. If it is dying I appreciate it dying slowly and giving me a heads up as opposed to just stop working entirely one day, like all the other computers I've ever had.

 

[84lion]

I try to do this regularly. You wouldn't believe the dust and crud that can build up.

Look on Amazon for battery-powered vacuums and blowers that do a good job (as good or better than canned air) and are a bit less forceful, and so more appropriate for delicate electronics. When you blow dust, make sure to hold the fans (use a pencil eraser or other similar soft item to hold the fan blades so that they don't move); the fans can be damaged if you blow on them and make them rotate. I would avoid using your regular household vacuum, as you won't be able to control it as well as a small purpose-made battery powered one.

If your computer is almost 10 years old, it might be time for a new one. What do you use it for? Can you provide a brand and model, and ideally the processor model number, how much RAM, graphics card model number, etc.? Unfortunately, computers nowadays are rather expensive, mainly due to memory shortages caused by the AI boom.

When you say a "solid state computer" I assume you mean it has a solid state hard drive, or SSD, as opposed to a HDD.

 

[Nittering Nabob]

It is running Windows 11 Pro.

I'm not sure exactly how old it is but probably 8-9 years. It did occur to me that it may just be reaching the end of the line and I should get a new one but I figured I'd try to see if I could fix it myself first. It is a Solid State computer and the first Solid State one I've ever had. If it is dying I appreciate it dying slowly and giving me a heads up as opposed to just stop working entirely one day, like all the other computers I've ever had.

Go buy an iMac at your nearest Apple Store and never look back.

 

[RolexKong]

It is running Windows 11 Pro.

I'm not sure exactly how old it is but probably 8-9 years. It did occur to me that it may just be reaching the end of the line and I should get a new one but I figured I'd try to see if I could fix it myself first. It is a Solid State computer and the first Solid State one I've ever had. If it is dying I appreciate it dying slowly and giving me a heads up as opposed to just stop working entirely one day, like all the other computers I've ever had.

You've gotten your money's worth. Take a go at cleaning it up. If that doesn't solve your problems, you can use the stuff you bought to maintain a new machine. Good idea to clean them out every 3-6 months.

 

[FHSPSU67]

Another way :
(35) Have you tried #pressurewashing your #computer #fall #cleaning #computers - YouTube

 

[op2]

With the help of someone that knew what they were doing, I got the computer opened up and cleaned with compressed air. So that's fixed but it still freezes up now and then (it's too early to tell if it's less often than before, but if it's less often, I don't think it's way less often).

Someone told me about memtest86, which tests your computers memory. This person said the memory could be the problem. But I went to the memtest86 website and my head is spinning with all the tech talk, which discouraged me. Anyone ever used memtest86?

If it's too overwhelming it may be better to just get a new machine, in which case the question shifts to, how do I make sure I get copied what I need to get copied from my old machine to my new one. But we're not definitely to that stage as of yet.

For the person asking what the specs are of my machine, they are below. Other than things that are strictly numeric, as in "1 TB hard drive" and "16 GB RAM," I don't know how to compare the stuff below with the new specs I read on Best Buy or whatever.

Device name DESKTOP-SO0UH82
Processor AMD Ryzen 7 5700G with Radeon Graphics (3.80 GHz)
Installed RAM 16.0 GB (15.3 GB usable)
Graphics card AMD Radeon(TM) Graphics (496 MB)
Storage 330 GB of 954 GB used
Device ID AF0932B3-F777-4819-8396-F6D6E3435B5F
Product ID 00330-80000-00000-AA097
System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Pen and touch No pen or touch input is available for this display

 

[PSU4U]

My computer has been freezing up, forcing a re-start more and more often. It's at the point where it happens every couple hours. If I have to buy a new one so be it but I'm researching first why it happens so if I can fix it myself, I'll do it. Any thoughts on that are welcome. Interesting, 75% of the time that it freezes up it just freezes up but the other 25% it freezes up while also making a buzzing noise.

The Internet says one possibility is that it is overheating due to a lot of dust and the computers internals sensors sense that and shuts the computer down (by freezing it up). So I'm thinking of unplugging it, getting a little screwdriver and taking off the side, and sucking out the dust. Can I do this? Do I need special equipment or is my regular vacuum, with its attachment for narrow places, good enough?

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Advanced System Care is your friend and will fix much of your problems. I have used the Free Version for years and it works great fixing and preventing many problems.

 

[s1uggo72]

Advanced System Care is your friend and will fix much of your problems. I have used the Free Version for years and it works great fixing and preventing many problems.

And here I was thinking he doesn’t have enough RAM

 

[ClarkstonMark]

Advanced System Care is your friend and will fix much of your problems. I have used the Free Version for years and it works great fixing and preventing many problems.

it is 9-10 years old ... op should get a new computer

 

[PSU4U]

it is 9-10 years old ... op should get a new computer

Probably a good idea but I would install IOBIT ASC on your new one right away.

 

[PSU4U]

And here I was thinking he doesn’t have enough RAM

IOBIT ASC cleans up all the crap so things like RAM can work better. But given the age of his computer it's time for a new one I think mine is 5-6 years old and was purchased at Wally World aka Walfart Immediately put in a bigger HD and Processor then added IOBIT ASC. Still working like a charm and you don't have to be a Geek to use it. The best thing you can do for speed is add a bigger faster HD. Then keep the junk cleaned out of your computer which IOBIT ASC does a very good job of. I run it once a week.

 

[op2]

I think I'm going to go the new computer route. And in fact, I see this one on Best Buy and it is almost the exact same model, if not the exact same model, as the one I already have. It's on clearance and I'm guess that's because this model is old and they want to get rid of the ones they have to make room for newer models.

But my demands are pretty low and this model has been completely fine for me, except for recently when it started freezing up. So I'm thinking of just getting this one. Any thoughts?

https://www.bestbuy.com/product/hp-...16gb-memory-1tb-ssd-natural-silver/JJG2RTTC34

Also, someone suggested IOBIT ASC for a new computer and someone else suggested Advanced System Care and they seem to be the same thing. Correct? So there is a free version of this?
And would this, or the built-in virus softeware suffice rather than buying something else? I didn't buy any of that stuff for this computer and it worked fine. I don't do the thing that starts with p and and with orn so that big danger for virus isn't an issue for me. I think a couple times over the years I got what looked like some kind of bug but doing a hard re-start seemed to clear up the issue.

Thanks.

 

[RolexKong]

I think I'm going to go the new computer route. And in fact, I see this one on Best Buy and it is almost the exact same model, if not the exact same model, as the one I already have. It's on clearance and I'm guess that's because this model is old and they want to get rid of the ones they have to make room for newer models.

But my demands are pretty low and this model has been completely fine for me, except for recently when it started freezing up. So I'm thinking of just getting this one. Any thoughts?

https://www.bestbuy.com/product/hp-...16gb-memory-1tb-ssd-natural-silver/JJG2RTTC34

Also, someone suggested IOBIT ASC for a new computer and someone else suggested Advanced System Care and they seem to be the same thing. Correct? So there is a free version of this?
And would this, or the built-in virus softeware suffice rather than buying something else? I didn't buy any of that stuff for this computer and it worked fine. I don't do the thing that starts with p and and with orn so that big danger for virus isn't an issue for me. I think a couple times over the years I got what looked like some kind of bug but doing a hard re-start seemed to clear up the issue.

Thanks.

ASC is fine if you don't mind being constantly being bombarded by their adds imploring you to upgrade to the paid version.

Nothing that ASC does that can't be accomplished using Microsoft tools that come with Windows i.e. Windows Defender, Disk Cleanup, Storage Sense. The advantage of ASC is that you can launch from a single control panel. What these won't do that ASC will do if you hit the wrong button is blow your registry to Pluto.

 

[Nittering Nabob]

I think I'm going to go the new computer route. And in fact, I see this one on Best Buy and it is almost the exact same model, if not the exact same model, as the one I already have. It's on clearance and I'm guess that's because this model is old and they want to get rid of the ones they have to make room for newer models.

But my demands are pretty low and this model has been completely fine for me, except for recently when it started freezing up. So I'm thinking of just getting this one. Any thoughts?

https://www.bestbuy.com/product/hp-...16gb-memory-1tb-ssd-natural-silver/JJG2RTTC34

Also, someone suggested IOBIT ASC for a new computer and someone else suggested Advanced System Care and they seem to be the same thing. Correct? So there is a free version of this?
And would this, or the built-in virus softeware suffice rather than buying something else? I didn't buy any of that stuff for this computer and it worked fine. I don't do the thing that starts with p and and with orn so that big danger for virus isn't an issue for me. I think a couple times over the years I got what looked like some kind of bug but doing a hard re-start seemed to clear up the issue.

Thanks.

Viruses can come from websites and other sources besides p-o-r-n.

Before tossing your current computer I would back up the hard drive in order to save all existing files to an external drive, erase your current hard drive and then reload the most current OS. Thereafter reload your cleansed hard drive with only essential data files from the external hard drive back-up.

 

[RolexKong]

Viruses can come from websites and other sources besides p-o-r-n.

Before tossing your current computer I would back up the hard drive in order to save all existing files to an external drive, erase your current hard drive and then reload the most current OS. Thereafter reload your cleansed hard drive with only essential data files from the external hard drive back-up.

Easier to copy to the cloud through Windows backup., If properly set up, it's already done automatically.

 

[op2]

Easier to copy to the cloud through Windows backup., If properly set up, it's already done automatically.

This is a whole nother question. I have some stuff backed up to the cloud and other stuff not backed up to it. I'm wary of backing up stuff to the cloud. Is it really secure? A guy I work with said he backs up everything to the cloud so he trusts it but I don't know if I should.

 

[RolexKong]

This is a whole nother question. I have some stuff backed up to the cloud and other stuff not backed up to it. I'm wary of backing up stuff to the cloud. Is it really secure? A guy I work with said he backs up everything to the cloud so he trusts it but I don't know if I should.

"Really secure?" Probably more secure than anything on your computer, unless you have a standalone that's not connected to the Internet.

 

[84lion]

I checked the specs for your Ryzen 5700G:

https://www.techpowerup.com/cpu-specs/ryzen-7-5700g.c2472

It released in April 2021, has 8 cores and 16 threads. It's not a high-level CPU, but it's not bad either. Your computer can't be more than 4 years old unless you bought it right when that CPU was released. I'm an Intel guy myself, so I don't know about the Ryzens. Several years ago, there seemed to be a "fad" for AMD Ryzens which centered on cost/performance. I had heard that the Ryzens ran hot, but that might just have been FUD.

FF to today, due to the AI boom, primarily (with help from the Iran war), computers are very expensive. I bought a few computers a couple years ago before AI exploded and the Iran war started. I'm glad. The computer model I now have (Alienware m18 r2, i9-14900HX and RTX 4080 GPU) has gone up in price by about 50% over what I paid. Who knows when prices will return to normal?

Don't know what exactly is causing the "freezing up," but I would first try to re-image the computer (after saving all the files you want to keep to a USB hard drive). Sometimes going to a "clean install" resolves issues. I would also make sure that any internal fans are working, and that everything really has been cleaned (will help with heat dissipation). And, ensure that the unit has adequate ventilation. Also, make sure you have the software available to reinstall (reinstallation disks and/or authorization codes) before doing the re-image.

If you are going to buy a new computer, I would look for something newer. If you're not doing much more than e-mails, web surfing, etc., something a couple years old with better specs would be what I'd go after. I'd check out the Dell Outlet, they have refurbished and scratch-n-dent units that are less expensive than new, and sometimes are a year or two old. A 2024 model would be the sweet spot, post-Covid but pre-AI boom. I don't know about the Ryzens, but the more recent Intels, especially for laptops, are focused on consuming less power as opposed to providing more brute-force performance. Even though electricity is expensive, I'd rather go for performance myself.

 

[uh-Clem]

There is a reason I don't have a hobby like flying planes...I tend to be haphazard at times and 5000 feet above terra firmament is not the place to do that. So instead of opening the back of my MacBook Pro to clean out the dust, I have an appointment at the Apple Genius Bar and let them do it. The idea that I will likely fry it doing it myself by getting fluid from compressed air on circuits, or having some static discharge fry something, taking it to the Apple store next Wednesday seems to be my best alternative.