Smoke damaged computer

Cinders · #1 September 17th, 2003, 05:51 PM

Hi everyone

Any info or links about cleaning a smoke damaged computer would be greatly appreciated. I have a client who has just a house fire and his computer has had some damage. Is there anything I should be particularly aware of? While he is insured and can replace the machine he has said that if I can clean it up I can make use of it. It is a relatively new machine and I don't want to scrap it if I can use it in its entirity (sp?) or reclaim some of the components. ANy info and?or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Cinders

P.S. I am looking to do this myself

**zipulrich** · #2 September 17th, 2003, 06:17 PM

Closest I've come is a Compaq that got too close to an 'ink explosion'. A woman in the office somehow caused a toner cartridge to explode (dry ink), and the PC was on at the time. It looked like smoke damage to me.

I simply used a damp cloth on the case and other non-electronic components, and a few cans of compressed air for the rest. The hard drive is sealed, so it didn't sustain any damage at all. I think I chucked the keyboard and mouse - too cheap to try to clean.

For a while after, every floppy came out black - but read/write was OK.

Give it a shot - smoke is nasty, but shouldn't kill too much. Let us know how it comes out, too.

Cinders · #3 September 17th, 2003, 06:32 PM

HI Zipulrich

Thanks for your reply and suggestions, had intended to try compressed air but remember someone somewhere saying something about being careful with mobo coz of some reason or another (as you can tell i have issues with SOME things - lets call it having a senior moment

) just wanted to be sure that I would not totally screw things up. I am not concerned about KB or mouse, as you say they are easy and cheap to replace, and I have spares laying around. Well will have a go with the basic cleaning, I have nothing to lose at the end of it. Will let you know how it goes. Oh other issue that concerns me is heat damage as well, but I guess I will only find that out when I have cleaned it and fire it up (no pun intended!! :no: )

Cinders