Re: [OT] how to clean grime off old computer MB?

I have a couple of new-to-me old computers. They've been well used
in what looks like a normal office environment and they're a bit
grimey inside; not just dust that blows away. I figure that I
should clean that off so the dust doesn't act like a thermal
insulator but I'm unsure what to use, since air alone isn't doing
it. I don't want to remove e.g. the CPU from its socket. (P-133,
socket 7).

You need to remove all socketed devices, and especially the CPU.

Cleaning presents a danger to the aluminum electrolytic capacitors.
Some chemicals quickly penetrate the seals and ruin the capacitors.

A mild concentration of dish detergent (not alkaline dishwasher
detergent) in water and a toothbrush, followed by a hair dryer (but be
careful not to get the electrolytic capacitors too warm! -- they can
burst!) likely is the safest approach.

I think that the use of alcohol might be a mistake. At best, alcohol
would help get rid of water held by capillary action in the sockets,
but warming the board with a hair dryer accomplishes that.

If you have an instrument service shop in your town, phone or visit
and ask the technician what he uses. Some do use a dishwasher, but I
do not know what detergent is safe for the electrolytics (as well as
safe for the pump seals of the dishwasher).

Years ago, you could purchase a gallon can of Freon-TF, which I
believe was safe for aluminum electrolytics; with Freon-TF, you simply
put the motherboard in a shallow pan and rinse or soak the board.

RLH


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  • Re: [OT] how to clean grime off old computer MB?
    ... I don't want to remove e.g. the CPU from its socket. ... You need to remove all socketed devices, and especially the CPU. ... which presumably is safe for the ... believe was safe for aluminum electrolytics; ...
    (Debian-User)
  • Re: [OT] how to clean grime off old computer MB?
    ... not just dust that blows away. ... I don't want to remove e.g. the CPU from its socket. ... Cleaning presents a danger to the aluminum electrolytic capacitors. ... soldering with circuit-board cleaner, which presumably is safe for the ...
    (Debian-User)
  • Re: [OT] how to clean grime off old computer MB?
    ... not just dust that blows away. ... since air alone isn't doing it. ... e.g. the CPU from its socket. ... To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-REQUEST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx with a subject of "unsubscribe". ...
    (Debian-User)
  • [OT] how to clean grime off old computer MB?
    ... what looks like a normal office environment and they're a bit grimey ... not just dust that blows away. ... e.g. the CPU from its socket. ... To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-REQUEST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ...
    (Debian-User)