Next time you freak out about there being dust in your computer, do not attempt to take it apart because you will break it.
...this stems from me being a complete clean freak as far as my laptop is concerned. I take it apart regularly and clean the fan and all the other random bits and pieces. The only part I'd never done was the heatsink (the bit that cools the processor). In removing the heatsink, I managed to tear out the processor (which was not supposed to come out - it was locked into the motherboard with a switch that was accessible after the heatsink and cooling system was removed) because it was stuck to the heatsink with some heatsink paste (stuff meant to help cool everything down, not meant to stick).
Two hours later, I had a dead computer and a processor which would not go back into place because half of its pins were bent (due to aforementioned wrenching). I managed to eventually get them straightened out and separate the heatsink from the processor in order to put everything back together, but my poor laptop still wouldn't work :( I prodded it a bit and realised I'd put the fan back on upside down. Correcting this meant I had a working laptop once more.
Needless to say, I got laughed at by others who know far more about this sort of thing than I do. >.< ...I believe I have learned my lesson.
(Though having said that, I was very slightly hoping my computer had permanently died so I could get a new one :P )
Amber
10/06/2007 at 18:09
Cleaning my keyboard is actually a painful experience. I always seem to do something stupid. Last time I lost a key.
Ramsha
10/06/2007 at 21:10
I've always cleaned out my keyboard like there's no tomorrow. I scream if someone even comes within a metre radius of my keyboard with anything spill-able.
Although I've never taken apart my computer; I'm too scared I might bend something the wrong way and then screw up the entire processing unit. Well, at least your laptop's clean now? And besides, if you do decide to open it up again for some cleaning spree, at least you'll know what not to do.
Amanda
11/06/2007 at 1:59
Yikes. :S
I've always just gone with vaccuuming my keyboard every week..I'm too unco to even contemplate pulling it apart.
Tracey
11/06/2007 at 3:06
I don't ever take my computer apart, because I know I will do something stupid, like lose some vital part, or snap a stick-thing of ram (see I don't even know what they're called!)
I haven't cleaned my keyboard in ages either, I'm too scared!
Skye
11/06/2007 at 7:11
I never really tried pulling my laptop apart to clean it. It's such a fragile thing! Although I do mess up my PC once in a while to clean it.
You just gave me a very brilliant idea. "Mom, my laptop won't work, I cleaned it and it went haywire. Maybe you should get me a new one." Hahaha
Matt
11/06/2007 at 15:22
I've never vaccumed my laptop, it's only three months old and I'd be so scared of breaking it. I once managed to pop my shift key off just by typing..I hate to think what I'd be like with a hoover and screwdriver :S
Adastra
11/06/2007 at 15:47
I wish I had a laptop. I don't even know how those things open, and I'd be terribly scared to try to open one.
However, a few months ago I cleaned the fans in my tower - they were looking really disgusting with huge clots of dust everywhere. It's a miracle my PC was still running.
I also once took my keyboard apart, only to find out that you can't clean out all the icky crumps and dust under the keys by taking it apart. I guess it's pointless to try, buying a new one would probably make more sense...
Amelie
11/06/2007 at 15:53
Laptops are usually pretty easy to open (depending on the brand, that is). They normally have a load of screws on the bottom and you just take them all out and the back will come off for you to poke about inside.
Some laptops (*cough*HP*cough*) are really difficult to take apart though - they require you to take the keyboard out, then take the screen off, then remove the hard disk, optical drive and speaker system before you can finally access the screws which keep the top casing on (you access the insides via the top rather than the bottom as is usually the case).
Other laptops have big bolts/headless screws on them that only the manufacturer can remove. Bah. I much prefer my simple laptop which has a load of screws on the back which you take off and that's that. :P
valerie
13/06/2007 at 19:45
Eek! Though it seems every computer I've ever taken apart has had the processor stuck to the heatsink. Hmmm...
Glad it's working again!
Li
13/06/2007 at 21:17
I need to clean out my laptop (a 2 year old HP) but I've been too scared to do it...after reading this, I think I'll find someone *else* to clean it (so if they break it, they need to buy me a new one :D).
Congrats on bringing yours back from the dead. ;)
Rachael
15/06/2007 at 15:54
Wow, fill me with confidence why don't you! I am *so* paranoid about my poor Benji (laptop) being broken and dusty... His problem is normally that he's clogged with dog hairs though. I guess that's what you get for sharing a house with a labrador.
I'm glad you got your laptop fixed in the end though. Do you have any advice for us 'lesser experienced' cleaners when cleaning our laptops? Mine's never been cleaned (apart from when pc world had it back after they melted it), and recently it's been getting *really* hot... I'm worried...
Amelie
15/06/2007 at 17:34
Ha, that part ("next time you freak out..." etc.) was to me rather than anyone else (hence the "note to self" title...) :P
Advice... Well, all I would say is that you need to be VERY careful and you should always earth yourself before touching any fiddly bits inside your computer. Take photos if you aren't sure where bits go, and look up instructions for how to take the case off your laptop (unless like me, you have a cheap own brand laptop :P ). Don't poke bits you aren't sure about :)
Your best friend in all of this will be a paintbrush, I find it's wonderful for getting in the nooks and crannies and getting all the dust out :)
Rachael
15/06/2007 at 21:35
I'll be very careful, although like you, I do have an own brand... It was in the PC World sale. It's served me well though.
And my sister's doing a-level art, so I think I know where I can get a paintbrush from... Now I just need a tiny screwdriver...
Thank you!
Kelly
17/06/2007 at 12:20
Urgh - cleaning of computer parts = not fun! At least you managed to fix the damage... :)