A technician is performing preventive maintenance on a desktop computer that has accumulated a significant amount of internal dust, which is causing it to overheat. Which of the following is the BEST method for cleaning the internal components?
Wipe all visible components with a dry, lint-free cloth.
Use a standard household vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment.
Gently clean the motherboard with a cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol.
Use short bursts of compressed air to blow dust out of the case.
Using short bursts of compressed air is the recommended method for removing dust from internal computer components. A standard household vacuum cleaner should not be used as its plastic nozzle can generate significant electrostatic discharge (ESD), which can damage sensitive electronics. Wiping with a cloth is not effective for reaching into heatsinks and fans, and it can also generate static. Isopropyl alcohol is used for cleaning specific residues, such as thermal paste, not for general dust removal.
Ask Bash
Bash is our AI bot, trained to help you pass your exam. AI Generated Content may display inaccurate information, always double-check anything important.
What is electrostatic discharge (ESD) and why is it a concern when cleaning a computer?
Open an interactive chat with Bash
What cleaning methods are safer for maintaining a computer?
Open an interactive chat with Bash
What are the potential consequences of overheating a computer component?