It is difficult to argue with the fact that, in terms of performance, stationary personal computers are more preferable than their mobile counterparts - laptops. The capacious housing allows you to easily place an effective cooling system there that can dissipate the thermal energy released by the components . Nevertheless, in recent years there has been a clear tendency towards the gradual abandonment of average users from staffers in favor of laptops.
This is due, in particular, to a decrease in the number of fans of ultramodern games that require impressive computing power for their work, as well as the desire to somehow optimize their
workplace. So, in an apartment, in place of the computer desk, necessary for a full-fledged system unit, you can put a composition-flower arrangement. At the same time, you have to “pay” for compactness: any owner of a portable computing system is simply obliged to know how to
clean laptops from dust at home.
Hot temper
The potential of quantum or even biological computers that do not emit a lot of heat is being actively discussed. However, the reality is that so far all mass models are familiar electronic. Their work is subject to the relevant laws, among which one of the key is the heating of conductors during the passage of current. To remove heat from the processor and video card, a metal radiator is used, blown by the fan air flow. Over time, dust accumulates on these elements, which significantly reduces the efficiency of their work and leads to errors in programs. Periodic disassembly and cleaning of the laptop helps prevent such troubles, and sometimes save the computer from damage due to overheating. This operation can be performed independently. Owners who for any reason cannot do this should contact service centers where they will be provided with the corresponding service - laptop repair. Cleaning, as a rule, is one of the varieties of this procedure.
What the “doctor” will say
Before taking up a screwdriver, you need to make sure that the cleaning is timely. It is easy to determine by indirect signs.
So, if a laptop computer even while reading this article is buzzing with a fan and does not turn it off for a minute; if applications often close for no apparent reason; if hot air escapes from the ventilation grille of the case all the time, and the owner has never heard about how to clean the cooler on a laptop, you can be sure that the time has come to conduct an audit. Apparently, even a schoolboy can make a “diagnosis”.
Tool list
Cleaning laptops from dust at home is not possible without disassembling the case. Therefore, first you need to prepare everything you need. This is a set of screwdrivers, cotton wool and alcohol. A small syringe, a children's paint brush and tweezers are very desirable.
Disassembly Rules
Most laptops understand the same principle. You must unplug the power supply cord and remove the battery. The latch holding it is located on the bottom of the housing and has a corresponding designation. Typically, to access the battery, you need to move the switch to the side with the image of the open lock, and then use another one on which the battery is displayed. The power source must always be removed. Otherwise, cleaning laptops from dust at home can lead to the failure of the latter due to the closure of tracks by an accidentally dropped bolt.
On the bottom there is a series of bolts holding the cover. They need to be carefully unscrewed. The lid is additionally fastened with latches, which should be pry off with a flat tip of a small screwdriver. It is important to ensure that the probe does not go deep into the housing in order to avoid damage to the internal elements. We recommend in no case to rush, but to think over each action. Especially if disassembling and cleaning laptops from dust at home is done independently for the first time.
How components are cooled
After removing the cover, you can see the cooling system. In modern portable computers, it is represented by several radiators connected by heat pipes.
On one side they converge into a heat exchanger unit consisting of thin metal plates blown by fan air. The principle of operation of the system is extremely simple: heat from the hottest components is transferred through the heat pipes to the plates. The fan draws external air through the grill on the bottom (by the way, that is why working with a laptop lying on my knees is not a good idea). Then, through a special design of the “snail”, air is sent to the heat exchange unit and is discharged out through the grill from the side or back of the casing (depending on the model). Everything is extremely simple.
How to eliminate pollution
There are several “problem” places for such an implementation - these are air intake / exhaust gratings, a fan with a “snail” and heat dissipating plates. It is on them that dust and household rubbish gradually accumulate (sometimes even straw is found), due to which the heat removal process is reduced or completely stopped. Beginners often ask how to clean a cooler on a laptop. In fact, everything is quite simple.
First of all, you need to disconnect the fan power wire from the board - there is the simplest detachable connection. Next, carefully unscrew the screws holding the fan (ideally with a magnetized screwdriver) and remove the entire structure. After that, using a syringe and a brush, you can remove all dirt from the plates, simply by blowing them. The same is useful for the entire heatpipe system. The fan blades are wiped with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. In a word, everything is brought to the state of “recently purchased”. When installing miniature screws, tweezers may be required. The whole dust removal operation takes no more than 10-15 minutes, if everything is done without haste. In some “running” cases, such a laptop cleaning may not always help.
Replacing thermal paste is the last argument that can solve all the problems with overheating that remain after removing the dust. The fact is that between radiators and cooled microcircuits there is a special layer designed to improve the process of heat transfer. It is called "thermal grease" and has a complex composition, often including silver. Over time, its heat-conducting properties decline, and its updating is necessary. To do this, you need to prepare a new thermal grease, carefully dismantle the entire cooling system (never peel off, but carefully remove), remove the remnants of the old layer, apply a thin layer of a new layer with a match and put everything in place. The paste itself can be purchased at any computer hardware store for mere pennies (from 100 rubles).
By the way, during the cleaning procedure you should not ignore keyboard processing. Especially if the keys sink or stick. In most models, each of them can easily be pry off with a screwdriver, removed from the latch. Then, using cotton wool and alcohol, wipe the seats and buttons themselves. No service center required!