Most of us periodically dust our house, but how many of us dust our computer. Let's face it, we live in the high desert and there is tons and tons of dust. Yes, it makes for a beautiful sunset, but do you really think your computer likes it?
The majority of our computers have two to three fans that are circulating air through in an attempt to keep things cool and clean. If these fans get full of dust they have a tendency to fail. If they fail, then your computer gets too hot and can fry. In our computers are also electronic boards that run everything it does. If these boards get a layer of dust on them it can literally conduct electricity from one spot to another contrary to what it really wants to do. This can also fry your system in a heartbeat.
So, what can you do? It's pretty simple. Go out to almost any office supply store and buy a can of compressed air. Do a complete backup of your data. Disconnect all of the cables from your computer especially the power. Put your computer on a non-conductive service (i.e. not on a metal table) and open it up. It's a good idea to take it outside, since you are going to try to blow the dust out of it. Make sure that you aren't covered in static and try not to touch things inside with your hands. Take the can of air and spray... spray... spray... You'll be amazed at what comes out!
