HeyAgain

Can someone please tell me how I would go about cleaning my power supply unit? I want to open up the power supply unit to clean the inside.

How long does power to the computer have to be off in order for me to safely clean the power supply unit?

What supplies do I need.

Thanks.

Jaron

I've taken one apart after five hours, but I was using heavy rubber gloves.

My advice would be to use an air compressor and blast the dust out, rather than taking it apart. Don't bother opening it up, just blast air through it once in a while. Works wonders.

MMM-A

If you're worried about stored charge, trying to turn the computer on with it physically disconnected from the wall should bleed off any stored charge.

I agree with Jaron that you really don't need to open it. A nice strong vacuum and an old paintbrush or toothbrush to loosen the dust should do the trick. Don't do the job without a vacuum, or the dust you dislodge will only go somewere else.

Try to vacuum in the reverse of the normal flow of air (whch is from inside of the computer thru the power supply then out) while you dislodge dust with air or a brush. That is, position the vacuum at the 'inside the computer' side of the power supply. Use common sense, though: vacuum in a way that'll keep all the crud from going inside of the supply.

Compressed air is wonderful to use instead of a brush if you have access to it. You can get cans of compressed air at computer supply places - they're sold to blow dust off of keyboards.

If you CAN easily open it - and seems particularly crusty inside - then just use the brush or compressed air to loosen the built-up dust and suck it up with the vacuum.

HeyAgain

Okay, followup question.

The fan within the power supply is always rattling whenever I boot up the computer. How do I fix this problem? The only solution that I have used is q-tips and trying to clean the fan and get the fan to spin without rattling.

MMM-A

Noisy power supply fans are more of an annoyance than anything else. I'm reminded of the old adage:

• If you don't like the noise the car makes, turn the radio up!

That must be a fairly old power supply (although new ones DO sometimes have problems, too).

These 'muffin fans' (as they're called) have sealed bearing and cannot be lubricated. You have 3 options:

1) ignore it (see above)
2) change way the bearing is sitting (see below)
3) replace the fan

To change the way the bearing is sitting try tilting the computer slightly (put an old computer magazine or CD case under the back of the machine). This will often quiet a noisy bearing for a while - but it'll likely make noise again soon.

If it's REALLY an annoyance, replace the fan. (If you don't feel comfortable enough with replacing the fan - replace the whole power supply. They're in the $35 to $50 range these days.) Muffin fans come in standard sizes - you just need to measure it and read the markings on the old fan as to voltage it uses (some power supplies run the fan on the AC voltage, some run on 5, 12 or 24 VDC). I've found what I needed to replace fans on the shelf at Fry's Electonics (a local computer supply store - one that'll have replacement supplys, too - will probably have what you need.) Remove the old, install the new, solder/tape the connections (observe polarity if its a DC fan!) and you'll have peace and quiet again!

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot - the fans usually have marked on them the direction of airflow. Make sure you install it so air flows the right way!

HeyAgain

Hey MMM-A

Thanks for all the advice. I opened the power supply and cleaned the power supply unit plus the fan with the q-tips. Hopefully this will stop the rattling and provide better air flow.

Thanks again.

StealYourFace

air compressor kit should do the job

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peace

krd913

Use air in a can or compresser some cleaning sprays can hurt computer parts

The_Dude

i dont think it's ever worth it to try and repair a PSU considering how cheap they come these days. (like a floppy drive)

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HeyAgain

Okay, the fan is rattling again.

Any solutions besides replacing it. The problem with the fan is that it is not secured in a lock position and but moving forward and backwards while spinning. There are no screws to secure the fan in a lock position.

Johnny Rotten

I would recommend replacing it. The capacitors store enough juice to kill you if you mishandle the unit, and they are immune to normal discharge methods. You can pick up a good PSU for as little as $30 these days, although I would recommend one in the $40-50 dollar range, as those tend to provide clean and consistent voltage on all rails and will be quieter. Vantec and Enermax are good choices.

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ack32

I also have major problems with computer noise. You don't really notice it if you've gotten used to it, but once you really have a silent PC, you wonder how you ever lived with all the high-pitched whining noises, the rattling, and the noise given off by CPU Fans, case fans, etc....

A great starting point is www.silentpcreview.com, where they have reviews of many components that have been specially designed to be quiet. For example, quiet CPU fans, quiet Power Supplies, some of the stuff there is a bit over the top for just trying to create a quiet computer, but it's an interesting read at the very least.