How do I clean my computer?

I used to be a service technician so this is the best way:

Do NOT use compressed air. It is a waste of money since you just blow the dust back into the air which will again settle in your room and back onto/into the computer. Of course this doesn’t hold as true provided you take your system outside.
Buy an ESD (Electrostatic Discharge Strap) clip it to the metal on the back of your system fan or other metal framing. System is turned off but the power cord stays plugged in (for grounding).

Use a computer sized vacuum for the job. If you don’t have a computer vacuum, you can carefully use a regular room vacuum cleaner with the brush and crevice tool. The key is to be very gentle and careful around the mother board and other planar surfaces. Everywhere that you can see, see into, or poke your finger near/in/around should be carefully probed with the vacuum.

Clean also the inside and outside (of the case) of all fans, and your power supply box. Electricity draws more dust. And fans are the exit port for air and dirt.

Don’t forget to clean around floppy drives, cd rom drives, any opening where things are inserted or where air can get in from outside the case.

Graphic cards, sound cards, and any card inserted into an expansion slot can have its contact edge cleaned carefully with isopropal alcohol and swabs designed for electrical cleaning (radioshack carries them). They are like cotton swabs, only the cotton material is very well secured to the long wooden stick as not to impart bits of cotton to what you are cleaning. Gently but firmly reinsert the card into the slot.

During cleaning, always check the ESD strap to make sure it is still attached to the metal frame and to your wrist so that you do not impart any electrical discharge to sensitive electronics.

Lastly be sure that your surge protector is working and that the computer is plugged into a grounded (3 prong outlet) (light on surge protector will alert you to an unsafe condition). Suggest APC brand surge protectors. Electricity is enemy #1

I use a air-compresser to blow the dust out but make sure the air tank doesnt have iny water in it. are you can buy a can of air but the presser is not as strong.

wow thanks for the great info!! tytyty