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    Best way to clean??

    Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by aliengamer, Dec 21, 2014.

  1. aliengamer

    aliengamer Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have a question about cleaning my Alienware M18x. I use a micro fiber cloth to wipe the screen and laptop down. I always hear people say to use compressed air for the vents and fans, but iv always wondered does that push dust further into the laptop? I always cleaned my first alienware laptop the aurora m9700 by wiping it with the micro fiber cloth then using a attachment on a vacuum cleaner to vacuum the vents. I never had any problems and the laptop would always run real good after. I also clean my xbox 360 and ps3 the same way with no problems. I have read online that people say not to use a vacuum cleaner because of static electricity. I never had a problem using a vacuum cleaner on my laptop and consoles so now that i have the Alienware M18x (and also a xbox one and ps4) im looking into what is the best way to clean them. I read online somewhere that someone said they used a Dyson handheld vacuum with a rubber tip for the static electricity and they said it worked good. So im just curious what is the best cleaning methods and if anyone knows where i could find a dyson vacuum with rubber tip??
     
    aliengamer, Dec 21, 2014
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  2. jallar1234

    jallar1234 Notebook Enthusiast

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    It is not safe for using a vacuum cleaner to clean. It is better to use compressed air and blow air into the laptop exhausts. This is because the dust is trapped against your heatsink, and inder to free this dust, it is best to blow it out the way it went in. But, seeing as you have the m18x, from what I remember, it's qui easy to just remove the fans for all 3 parts, so you might as well just disassemble the fans and use a vacuum for those and just pull out the dust from the heatsink. I am just recalling this from memory, as I got rid of my m18x and got the new aw18, so don't remember quite well. You can also use a brush to clean out the dust in the fans and the heatsinks as well.
     
    jallar1234, Dec 21, 2014
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  3. J.Dre

    J.Dre Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Compressed air and a proper disassembly will allow you to properly clean your laptop.

    I feel like I said "proper" too many times. :rolleyes:
     
    J.Dre, Dec 21, 2014
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  4. aliengamer

    aliengamer Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have never taken a computer apart so Id rather not try to. Unless it is really easy or something.
     
    aliengamer, Dec 21, 2014
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  5. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    Well cleaning the 18x is much easier then the Alienware 18.. It's 2 screws to remove bottom pannel and you need to remove the fan cables from motherboard and unscrew the fans and blow it out with compressed air.. My other way is too blow compressed air when fans are running at max speed so that you blow the dust out...
     
    TomJGX, Dec 22, 2014
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  6. aliengamer

    aliengamer Notebook Enthusiast

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    how do I do this?
     
    aliengamer, Dec 22, 2014
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  7. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    use Hwinfo64... Download, install it and click on sensors tab.. Now to the bottom of the window that pops up, there is a fan incon next to the time... Click on that icon and in that window Hwinfo fan control pops up... Move the slider for your fans to about 4000-4200 rpm, click set manual and blow compressed air...Once done, click on system auto..
     
    TomJGX, Dec 23, 2014
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  8. Redbeard

    Redbeard Notebook Consultant

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    Also make sure if you use compressed air on the fans that you are careful.

    If you end up spinning the fans too fast you can damage them.
     
    Redbeard, Dec 23, 2014
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  9. aliengamer

    aliengamer Notebook Enthusiast

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    ok thanks!!
     
    aliengamer, Dec 23, 2014
    #9