Clean a whole system with?

[Thanh55]

Hi guys

My friend had a pc in his kitchen (Chinese take away) and now its just full cover with oil. So I just wonder any chance can I clean them with warm water and detergent(A mother board, ram, hsf...e'rything).

 

[Ham]

you'd have too make sure every capacitor was discharged, take out the CMOS battery and make sure that you left it for about 48 hours in a warm environment (airing cupboard).

If your VERY carful though it way work. But it would be a risk.

 

[Thanh55]

Thanks Ham, it just at rist if you don#t let them dry enough?

 

[Ham]

No, its a risk full stop. Theres charge stored in various components. which could jump about and fry ICs

 

[Thanh55]

even those it was off about a week ago and I took the CMOS battery out aready?

 

[FarFarAway]

This is a toughie

The only thing I could think would be a warm damp cloth after discharging all the components. Then leave to dry for a couple of days and hope nothing went wrong...

 

[robump]

umm very risky, can you dismantle it and clean it with out surging it.

Rob

 

[nathan]

isnt there a liquid called iso...... summut that is a non conductive cleaning agent.

I'd use that for cleaning and follow the steps the guys posted above.

 

[equk]

Surely the oil would be less risk than the water?

is the system working?

 

[Thanh55]

oil block the fan on cpu, e'rywhere on the board, ram, gfx... and it made the pc overheat I think so it not working properly. Is it acetone or alcohol do the trick?

 

[equk]

When I saw this thread it reminded me of that system that was submerged and cooled by oil

All I'd do is replace the heatsinks/fans and leave the mobo. or if it's cheap enough buy a new mobo.

What part of the pc is overheating?

 

[nathan]

isaprophol or something like that??

 

[Nagaru]

I am not saying that you should do it or not. From an electronics standpoint if it has been unplugged for a few days, and the battery is out, there will be no voltage left in the capacitors. It would be fine to clean it with water and detergent as long as all the detergent is washed off. A better cleaner to use might be something like plastic safe R/C car cleaner. Also make sure that it is completely dry before reinstalling obviously.

 

[Thanh55]

I feel more comfi about clean them now THANKS MUCH guys.

When I saw this thread it reminded me of that system that was submerged and cooled by oil

All I'd do is replace the heatsinks/fans and leave the mobo. or if it's cheap enough buy a new mobo.

What part of the pc is overheating?

CPU of course and ram module as well I think but if I buy another board so can I re use the hdd (the main had os on it)?

I alos will post some pics of that horrible pc and I'm sure you guys never seen it before.

 

[equk]

I feel more comfi about clean them now THANKS MUCH guys.

CPU of course and ram module as well I think but if I buy another board so can I re use the hdd (the main had os on it)?

I alos will post some pics of that horrible pc and I'm sure you guys never seen it before.

Cool

I norm work out if it's BER or not.

I work it out like: 1hr=£20 so to clean it would take 3hours + prob replace fans say £30. That would mean the repair would cost £90.

Depends on what spec the system is, but I'd say it'd prob be cheaper to replace at least some of the parts.

 

[weihk]

tell your friend to place computer in big wok, then fill up with water, set heat to max and boil it.....

im sure all dirt and oil will be gone in 5mins.....

 

[Nagaru]

tell your friend to place computer in big wok, then fill up with water, set heat to max and boil it.....

im sure all dirt and oil will be gone in 5mins.....

So will all the important bits, jk, but that would be funny.

 

[Allsorts]

Lol, I know Intel CPUs run hot, but I didn't realize that you could cook food with them.

Unfortunately cooking oils are only marginally soluble in isopropyl alcohol, denatured alcohol, etc. so you would need to use loads of the stuff. I know engine degreasers are amazing at dissolving oil but probably too harsh to spray on electronics? Ahh got it, an electronics degreaser, that's what you need. Man, it's time for

 

[Rastalovich]

isaprophol or something like that??

There are electrical cleaning sprays u can buy. The likes of Maplins/RadioShack will carry them. Often labeled as switch cleaner/lubricant.

I don`t know about grease/fat tbh.

I got a small can of "Servisol Super10" in the house - have absolutely no idea what`s in it. Probably a variant of WD40.

 

[PV5150]

Once the board has been discharged of all residual current (and the battery removed), a thorough scrub with a soft bristled toothbrush and very mild detergent will be fine. Place the motherboard in a well ventilated place with some sort of heat lamp to assist with evaporating residual liquid, and remember to keep turning the motherboard over every so often.