Tony Posted November 30, 2003 Report Share Posted November 30, 2003 Here i was sitting here reading these forums, then all of a sudden a bloody great big blue flash & a bang came out of the side of my wifes PC sitting next to me :o, almost burning the hairs of my right leg. :scared: Lets just say that the said pc turned it's self off then.Poking my nose inside to investigate, the burning smell was coming from the PSU. Luckily enough i have a few spares. So i was just hopeing that it hadn't took anything else out with it.Which to my amazement it hadn't, the pc is now sitting next to me running nice and sweet about 20 minuets after it went bang.Looking at the old PSU that came out of it, lets just say that it was quite dusty in there (well full of fluff)I think that we were quite lucky that it has not cost us anything.CheersTony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Grim Reaper Posted November 30, 2003 Report Share Posted November 30, 2003 glad to still have you with us Tony......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bvw Posted November 30, 2003 Report Share Posted November 30, 2003 Glad you're OK Tony. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest nellie2 Posted November 30, 2003 Report Share Posted November 30, 2003 wow... if ever there was a good story to prompt and remind us to get the can of compressed air and the paintbrush out then that was it!!! Thanks for telling us about it Tony!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted November 30, 2003 Report Share Posted November 30, 2003 Thank God it wasn't a laptop and it was sitting on your lap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted November 30, 2003 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2003 I am still trying to get over the shock, just haveing a couple of shots of Jim Beam now to calm my nerves :shocking: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moon Posted December 1, 2003 Report Share Posted December 1, 2003 The last time I bought a can of compressed air it cost a lot and didn't last long. Now I just use the 'paintbrush and tip' technique. However, I remember , way back, that Exchange and Mart used to advertise a refillable compressed air srayer, just a normal -sized can but with a pump on the top. When the air was dispelled you simply worked the pump until it was full again. Still exist, does it ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Radfordin Posted December 1, 2003 Report Share Posted December 1, 2003 Is it just me or wouldn't using a paint brush cause a build up of static?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moon Posted December 1, 2003 Report Share Posted December 1, 2003 Yes, I suppose it does, but as long as your , earthed , power cable is connected and the power switched off any charge should go to ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurdy Posted December 1, 2003 Report Share Posted December 1, 2003 I've always used a paintbrush and a vacuum :D I do wear an anti-static wristband though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moon Posted December 1, 2003 Report Share Posted December 1, 2003 Very fetching. Can you get them for ankles ? :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurdy Posted December 1, 2003 Report Share Posted December 1, 2003 Very fetching. Can you get them for ankles ? :DI must admit I always feel a bit of a wally when I wear it :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted December 1, 2003 Report Share Posted December 1, 2003 Tesco were selling a computer vacuum cleaner for the Christmas season. It cost £5. I was going to buy one but they now appear to be out of stock, certainly at my local store.People worried about static from a brush should consider an antistatic photographic brush. They used to have a strip of mildly radioactive foil as one of the bristles but now they use conductive carbon fibres. I've had one of these things for years for preventing dust buildup on lenses and film but I can't seem to find one now at Jessops website. Perhaps Dixons (sorry for swearing) , 7 day shop or MX2 can supply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moon Posted December 1, 2003 Report Share Posted December 1, 2003 Good tip, -pops-. Static should not be a problem though if your components are part of your machines earthed system and your power cord is in. ( and switched OFF, for anyone reading that might misunderstand) Of course, you can't do that with a camera.IMPORTANT EDITYou MUST be sure that the mains (earth) circuit you are connecting to has been correctly installed and is working properly. A simple plug-in mains tester costs about three quid. Do not work inside a computer using this method if you are unsure . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurdy Posted December 1, 2003 Report Share Posted December 1, 2003 Tesco were selling a computer vacuum cleaner for the Christmas season. It cost £5. I was going to buy one but they now appear to be out of stock, certainly at my local store.My little girl has 'bought' one for me - she doesn't know yet but she has :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moon Posted December 1, 2003 Report Share Posted December 1, 2003 I must admit I always feel a bit of a wally when I wear itYou're supposed to take it off when you go out. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurdy Posted December 1, 2003 Report Share Posted December 1, 2003 I must admit I always feel a bit of a wally when I wear itYou're supposed to take it off when you go out. :DBut it matches my headband! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moon Posted December 1, 2003 Report Share Posted December 1, 2003 I see your point. Have you tried attaching it to people in Tesco's ? :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest nellie2 Posted December 1, 2003 Report Share Posted December 1, 2003 Static should not be a problem though if your components are part of your machines earthed system and your power cord is in. ( and switched OFF, for anyone reading that might misunderstand)I cannot advocate that anyone messes around inside thier case with the power cord in the socket even if the plug is switched off. The reasoning behind this is that unless you have had your sockets checked by a qualified electrical engineer recently then you don't know for sure that when you turn the plug off... that it is really off and if there was a power surge then that could find it's way through anyway.Therefore, if you wish to clean the inside of your case then my advice would be. Turn off the power at the wall and then unplug the machine totally from the power source.Get an antstatic wristband... very cheap at most PC retailers these days.. and attach yourself to a conventient radiator or something similar.Use compressed air to blow out dust bunnies from your components... remember the gubbins in side your PC are sensitive and expensive!!I use a soft natural bristle paintbrush to clear some of the muck away but that is my personal preference.If you are going to use a vacuum hose then keep a respectful distance from your components... don't knock anything.If you are unsure about anything then please post back here at Windows forum and we will all be happy to help out!! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted December 1, 2003 Report Share Posted December 1, 2003 Turn off the power at the wall and then unplug the machine totally from the power source.Get an antstatic wristband... very cheap at most PC retailers these days.. and attach yourself to a conventient radiator or something similar.The vital thing in all of this antistatic wrist strapping/earthing is that the computer and YOU should be at the same electrical potential. If you are attaching yourself to the radiator (earth) then the machine should be likewise attached to it (earth) as well.Having said that and having built dozens of computers I should say that I have never used a wrist strap. I do ensure that I touch the machine casing, though, before delving into the innards and regularly during all fiddling about there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moon Posted December 1, 2003 Report Share Posted December 1, 2003 IMPORTANT EDITYou MUST be sure that the mains (earth) circuit you are connecting to has been correctly installed and is working properly. A simple plug-in mains tester costs about three quid. Do not work inside a computer using the 'plug in, power off method if you are unsure . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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