cleaning 8890 fans

I was just reading a fan cleaning thread yesterday. Surfonit, it's in here somewhere. Buncha info.

There's a lot of discussion on this. One thing to remember is the stuff that's stuck in there came in one way and was trying to go out the other. Simply pushing harder from the same direction is not likely to make it move on out.

I would suggest trying a combination of blowing and sucking. First a bit of a blow into the exhaust vents to loosen stuff up. Then a bit of suck with a vacuum on the intake vents to pull it out. Try repeating that a couple of times. Then it might be a good idea to reverse that procedure, blow in the intakes and suck out the exhaust. Finally, take a couple rounds of the original in the exhaust and out the intakes.

However, in all of this, be really gentle. This is not a situation where if a little is good a whole lot is better. You don't want to be forcing the fans any more than necessary. These are not industrial grade equipment, no need for that, so also no need for the 3000 psi compressor or the nuclear powered vacuum. Nor should you leave the vacuum on overnight. Just a couple of puffs from a compressed air can (the kind sold for cleaning computers) and a moment or two of vacuum, preferrably from a small hand-held vacuum (again, they have ones specially made for cleaning computers).

In the 88xx series, you can look down into the fans and see how clogged up they are. Unfortunately, you can not actually get to them to clean them manually unless you really disassemble the case, which is not recommended.
But you can get to the heat sink fins fairly easily and clean those out manually, this is where a goodly portion of the blockage, if any, will be. Use a small plastic pick, like the ones that come on a floss pick, to dig out any stuff between the fins. Again, use extreme discretion in applying force. Remember, this is LINT, not concrete. You might want to take a look at the heat sink cover as well, this you can give a real suck and brush with the vacuum as there's not much there to harm. But be reasonable. Remember, its just LINT!!!

That ought to do it. Carefully reassemble stuff. You might want to get the service manual for your machine off the CLEVO site. Never hurts to know what the pros do.

I'd say be careful with the vacuum (not just because it sounds bad) but because vacuums and computers don't mix at all. The speed of the air through the nozzle on most modern vacuums creates a lot of static. Can anyone say ESD?

Even just cleaning out the HS, you can still cause problems.

when I was cleaning out my machine I just opened up the bottom to see the vent area, sprayed on that, and into the vent on the side, and I noticed on the fan were some huge chunks of dust that wanted to come up, so I pulled em out with my fingers (because they were reachable) if not do the vacuum approach but id be gentle on that one, then I blew into the fans to push out what I could.

Seems to be working great for me now.

I disagree Marquis, lint is the basis for all good concrete . Ever tried to clean a room fan that has been running all summer. Bring on the jack hammers .

Disclaimer: I do not endorse nor recommend jackhammers when cleaning out your computer fans.

Warning: Do not eat the lint that is removed from the heat sink area. Do not stick you tongue in the heat sink area. Parts may be hot. Do not put the vacuum cleaner hose in your mouth. Do not ingest the screws that hold the cover in place. Always wear clean underwear when performing this manouveur. Do not try this at home. Simulation only. Batteries not included. Serving suggestion only. Filmed under supervised conditions. Can cause cancer in rats. Recycle where possible.

haha, that was funny, aussie
Reminds me of when I read the instructions for arctic silver, dont put it in your mouth. What IS the deal with american people?

I think it has more to do with American lawyers and the American legal system. Unfortunately they exported the "sue you, sue me" to Australia. We have stupid claims going through our courts right now. A classic was the guy who sued a beer company because he could not open the top of his beer without straining his wrist. At least that got tossed out, unlike the other case where a guy was thrown out of a pub for being drunk, he then climbs up into an open window where the on-site manager's residence was, attacks the manager's daughter, the manager comes in a bashes the guy over the head and the manager gets sued for using "unnecessary force" and the guy gets compensation along with his mother because she was distraught. That just says lawyers have no morals at all.

Bottom line it just reflects lack of personal responsibility. "I was drunk at the time".

Aussie, I see your point, and I already kind of knew it, I have seen some episodes of Ally McBeal One minor point though, I dont think the lawyers are to blame, you cant blame a person for making a living. I think the problem is in the legal system itself. I think here in sweden we have more of a mentality like: You put arctic silver in your mouth and got sick? Well, it hurts to be stupid.

HEY! I'm an AMERICAN and I RESEMBLE those remarks!!!! Agreed, it is PATHETIC how we have gone out of our way to avoid individual responsiblity for our actions. Too often I think I've stepped into some alternate dimension in the Twilight Zone, or perhaps just stepped in doo-doo. But we digress. Now about those fans.......

Back to the topic :-)

I used a big-sucking-vacuum-cleaner to thoroughly clean the vents, fans and the heatsink. No problems there.

Creative Editing of MARQUISDARQUIS

Sorry, i know that will probally get deleted but i just couldn't resist.

Hey, can I help it if I was working on my sex manual when this thread first appeared.
So sue me!! Where's that banana when you need it.

Ah, here it is:

Dancing Bananas, dancing bananas
I'll ba a-dancing bananas tonight!!!

Hey, I was working on the sex automatic when this thread first appeared.

So sue you - and here your banana

LMFAO

You guys are definitely different... I would go with taking apart the bottom to clean out the fans and get everything out while you're at it. Just be careful and don't be stupid...which reminds me of how I superglued my fingers together. (Whoops, 'my bad,' thread hijacking )

sex automatic

Im sorry I couldnt resist that one...PJ Heaven!!!! gsferrari