The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Use dust off while comp is running???

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by MrButterBiscuits, May 11, 2009.

  1. MrButterBiscuits

    MrButterBiscuits ~Veritas Y Aequitas~

    Reputations:
    477
    Messages:
    3,334
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    I need to clean out my vents.... Should I do it while the fans are running? or should I do it when computer is off?
     
    MrButterBiscuits, May 11, 2009
    #1
  2. X2P

    X2P COOLING | NBR Super Mod

    Reputations:
    3,179
    Messages:
    5,361
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    206
    ALWAYS make sure the system is shut off and all power sources removed. If you clean the vent while the fan is in motion there is a good shot that you will damage or break your fan.
     
    X2P, May 11, 2009
    #2
  3. MrButterBiscuits

    MrButterBiscuits ~Veritas Y Aequitas~

    Reputations:
    477
    Messages:
    3,334
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Lol I figured as much I just wanted to make sure by some small chance if I blew dustoff into the fan while running it would create better circulation and so help to clean the dust out better
     
    MrButterBiscuits, May 11, 2009
    #3
  4. garetjax

    garetjax NBR Freelance Reviewer NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    1,706
    Messages:
    1,681
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I think I would be more concerned with using a can of air and the potential that frozen spray would be ejected from it, into your laptops' guts, thereby frying the entire system. But yeah, always turn your laptop off before doing that kind of maintenance, and never shake or hold the can upside down while spraying.
     
    garetjax, May 11, 2009
    #4
  5. Tippey764

    Tippey764 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    377
    Messages:
    1,423
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I dont think it matters. I flipped a can upside down and sprayed frozen co2 into the back of my xbox 360 because it sucked and nothing happend. Note: dont do that it could be bad but spraying air into the fans while its running i dont see a problem with that.
     
    Tippey764, May 11, 2009
    #5
  6. motok

    motok Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    264
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    I would guess it relies on your fans quality..360 has beastly fans in the rear..A laptop fan is weaker and might be forced in the opposite direction when on.
     
    motok, May 11, 2009
    #6
  7. channelv

    channelv Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    34
    Messages:
    372
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Be careful about overspinning the fans when you blow out the dust, which many people tend to do (they will blow the can of air in there and make that high pitched whirring sound with the fan). It may be a good idea to put a toothpick in there to immobilize the fan while you blow out the dust so that you don't overspin it and ruin the bearings. Otherwise you can also pulse the can of air rather than keep it depressed, that will also help keep you from ruining the fan.
     
    channelv, May 12, 2009
    #7
  8. Twan013

    Twan013 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    38
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I had the same theory as MrButterBiscuits, since the fans are spinning, while the dust is still loose and in the air, the fans would go ahead and kick it all out of the vents... but after reading what others have said, it makes sense about reverse spinning and breaking off a fan blade..
     
    Twan013, May 12, 2009
    #8
  9. RainMotorsports

    RainMotorsports Formerly ClutchX2

    Reputations:
    565
    Messages:
    2,382
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Heh when ever i feel the need to clean the fan and reapply the thermal paste im just gonna remove my fan from the heatpipe assembly as to better facilitate cleaning the housing.
     
    RainMotorsports, May 12, 2009
    #9
  10. J&SinKTO

    J&SinKTO Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    107
    Messages:
    767
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Concur - did this mistakenly to my old laptop, and the bearing made noise after that (overspun)
     
    J&SinKTO, May 12, 2009
    #10