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    How to clean Vostro vents from dust?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by Akuma, May 23, 2008.

  1. Akuma

    Akuma Notebook Evangelist

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    Hi.

    My Vostro has never been loud before til today, even after few hours of gaming it was quiet.
    But today it was loud for some time and it really annoyed me so now I want to clean it, it's 5 months old.

    I'm 99% it's dust - how do I clean it? If I screw the bottom open does it void my warranty? Are there some security stickers? Can I use normal vaccuum cleaner to suck the dust out?

    Thanks.
     
    Akuma, May 23, 2008
    #1
  2. pukemon

    pukemon are you unplugged?

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    probably better to blow the dust out. i don't know for sure, but i'm sure it's safe to open it up on your own. just don't leave undeniable evidence you tampered with the inside. just use compressed air and hold the fan and goto town. j/k about going to town. lightly touch up areas that might have light dust and get the heatsink, fans and vents thouroughly.
     
    pukemon, May 23, 2008
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  3. Rodster

    Rodster Merica

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    If it were me i'd put a vacuum nozzle to the exhaust vent and suck out the dust. You won't hurt anything and won't have to take apart your laptop. Then I would turn it over and do the same to the intake fan on the bottom of the laptop.

    That's what I plan on doing if it happens to my 1500.
     
    Rodster, May 23, 2008
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  4. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    Get a can of compressed air and blast it in spurts of 1 to 2 seconds so you don't get condensation in it. If you have a vacuum with a narrow nozzle stick it on the vents and suck it out. You'll probably want to combine both methods to loosen the dust and make sure it is removed.
     
    atbnet, May 23, 2008
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  5. evenSong

    evenSong Notebook Enthusiast

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    Best way to do this is to open up your laptop and use compressed air. Using compressed air externally just blows all the dust back into your machine. The point of using compressed air is to blow dust OUT. Dell has a relatively lenient warranty policy, and you likely wont void it unless you manage to break something along the way.
     
    evenSong, May 23, 2008
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  6. nizzy1115

    nizzy1115 Notebook Prophet

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    I just cleaned mine. No need to open it. Its too much of a pain. Do not use a vacuum as they create static electricity. Use compressed air and blow it out the side vents and up into the fan. Do not let the fan spin super fast or you can kill it. Short bursts work best.
     
    nizzy1115, May 23, 2008
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  7. philly Dog

    philly Dog Notebook Consultant

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    Good advice about the fan
     
    philly Dog, May 23, 2008
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  8. Akuma

    Akuma Notebook Evangelist

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    Hm..alright, thanks people.
    Though are there any other advice exept to use compressed air? None of my local computer shops have those..>.<
     
    Akuma, May 31, 2008
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  9. Jakpro

    Jakpro Notebook Evangelist

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    Computer stores don't have compressed air?

    Try Staples, Wal-Mart, Office Depot, Best Buy, Circuit City

    Then, find different computer stores!!
     
    Jakpro, May 31, 2008
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