Does+Dust+Really+Damage+Computers?

//**Does Dust Really Damage Computers? **//  The simple answer is Yes.  Dust and debris primarily causes damage to your computer by interfering with fans and functioning as insulation, causing your computer to Heat  High levels of heat can cause early failure of components, and excessive, intense heat can cause critical components to fail unexpectedly.  Dust can also interfere with the electrical connections on ports and connections, causing erratic results.

The simplest way is to use compressed air, or “air in a can” products.  Start by taking your computer outside or into a well-ventilated area of the house. If your computer is a desktop, remove the side access panel.  If your computer is a laptop, place the laptop screen side down. Use the compressed air to spray out all dust, fans, ports and connections. You can also use a vacuum cleaner to clean out larger masses of dust and a VERY lightly damp (no water leaking/dripping) cloth to wipe fan blades and exterior plastic pieces. You can also use Swiffer/liquid-free dusting cloths to remove dust from harder-to-reach spaces, as long as they do not lint/break apart. When fans run at higher speeds (louder) than they have run in the past doing the same task, this can be a sign that heat is not being removed as efficiently. Most computers will also have a built-in CPU temperature probe, and you can use a program such as CoreTemp <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype',serif;">to see your CPU’s current temperature. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype',serif;">This temperature is for the processor alone, and will fluctuate as you run programs. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype',serif;">You should base your temperatures on the idle CPU temperature reached five minutes after booting up, when your computer is not running any programs. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype',serif;">A good CPU temperature will not exceed 55 degrees Celsius idle, and the lower the temperature is, the better. Most CPU’s have a tjunction or thermal cut-off, and if your computer is running near that thermal cut-off, it is probably a sign of a failed fan or exceedingly dirty interior. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype',serif;">You can also check hard drive temperatures by running a program such as <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype',serif;">CrystalDiskInfo <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype',serif;">. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype',serif;">A good temperature range is 20 degrees Celsius to 55 degrees Celsius. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype',serif;">If you do have component failure due to dust damage (such as a fan failing or a power supply), you can usually have those components replaced by a trained PC technician. Expect to pay for both parts and labour. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype',serif;"> Laptop components are generally most expensive and require more time to repair. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype',serif;">The simple way is to keep your PC clean. Vacuum around your computer, and spray it out every few months <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype',serif;">. If you keep your PC clean, it will run at its coolest temperature and last the longest.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype',serif;">What are the signs your PC needs to be cleaned? **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype',serif;">What if you have dust-related damage? **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype',serif;">What can you do to prevent dust damage? **