Dear DAL:

I have a ATI Radeon X1800 512mb video card installed in my Sony VAIO desktop. I used to play Need For Speed and the fan does get loud but everything was okay, (like half year ago) Today I tried to play again, and I constantly getting a ATI warning pop up saying that the card is running above safe temperature. So I dont' know whats going on? does that mean is time to change a new vid card or can I do something about it to fix it? Thank YOU!

When was the last time you cleaned all the heat trapping dust and dirt out of the interior?

Upps...never lol
is there any guide or can you help me about how to do it please? thank you!

lol - been awhile, huh? I normally recommend opening the case and doing visual inspection monthly, and clean as necessary.

As far as instructions, well, I take my PCs outside and blast them with an air compressor. To do it right you use the right tools for the job, and you take the time to maintain them properly. Fortunately, to set up an air compressor for use on electronics is fairly simple and inexpensive.

First the WARNINGS: Compressors have a history of spewing out nasty, rusty, oily, water. Not good on motherboards, or inside optical drives or power supplies! Therefore, depending on your needs and budget, I recommend an "oil less" compressor with a vertical tank:


The friction generated during the compression process, and subsequent cooling of the air afterward, causes moisture to condense inside the tank - not good and to make matters worse, it will lead to rust. You can minimize (but not eliminate) moisture by keeping the compressor in an environmentally controlled room - but note they are very loud when cycled on. You still must periodically drain all compressors. With a vertical tank, however, you have less chance of moisture from the bottom reaching the nozzle.

Also, air compressors used on electronics MUST be equipped with an in-line water and particle filter to remove any remaining moisture or other contaminates which might get into the system. I have seen them for less than $20US, to many hundreds. I paid about $60. They all look similar to this:


I check to ensure the nozzle pressure is throttled back to 80psi and because I believe in Murphy's Law, I blast once to my hand, or if near by, a piece of bright white printer paper for one last check to make sure I got nothing but clean air coming out.

Then I put me and the computer on the same electrical potential - that is I touch bare metal of the case to discharge any static before and frequently while cleaning. I use wooden ice cream sticks to hold fans still while blasting heatsinks. Never see how fast you can make a fan go - you can easily exceed design limits and damage the bearings - never good for long life or silent running. I also have a soft paint brush for stirring stuff up if necessary - often the case for neglected systems.

Always take the computer outside - even if using "duster cans". No need to toss all that dirt, hair, dander, microscopic things that eat dander, and their remains, up in the room's air again, only to sucked back into your computer by the fans.

As a side note, avoid using the term "canned air" or the like. You can buy cans of compressed gases at your locale discount or home improvement store. They are great for a quick blast to clean mouse opticals and the like. The gas used, however, is not "air" but a mixture of various gases - not suitable for inhalation. The term "canned air" may give a child the wrong idea.

Oh, on rainy days, I use a vacuum! However, when using a vacuum there is a very serious risk of air and dust particles zipping past the nozzle generating high potentials of static in the nozzle. This is a VERY SERIOUS and legitimate concern. But heat is the bane of all electronics so cleaning must be done. And using some sort of forced air is best at removing heat trapping dust. So if compressed air outdoors is not possible, vacuuming is the next best thing.

Because of this static, it is absolutely essential precautions be taken to prevent static buildup and damage from ESD - electrostatic discharge, as well as physical damage from banging the nozzle into fragile devices, or scratching the motherboard. But the process is simple, if done with care.

With the computer powered down and unplugged, and with a soft brush in one hand and the vacuum nozzle in the other, extend a finger on your nozzle holding hand out past the tip of the nozzle and plant that finger on bare metal of the case. Then simply use the brush to sweep the dust into the vacuum. With your finger touching metal, and your hand wrapped around the nozzle, no static can build up, no ESD damage can occur. Every time you reposition the nozzle, touch metal with an extended finger before moving in close.

Note: as with the compressed air, resist the temptation to see how fast you can make the fans spin, and secure in place first.

Wow I appreciate your time making such a detailed explanation! I have also seen those little spray bottle with a thin straw, will those work? Let me find a picture..


Cuz honestly as first timer I am sure I won't be as successful using the air compressor as using a easier and smaller thing to clean the PC.... *gasp

I have also seen those little spray bottle with a thin straw, will those work?

Ummm, did you read the part I wrote about canned air?

Yes, those will work. However, they are limited. On a very dirty machine, you can go through 2 or 3 cans (especially if you have pets, in particular cats).

Another danger with the cans is if not careful, you can spray out supercooled liquid. This can cause frostbite type burns, and I may not be good with some of the plastic and ceramic materials used in many electronics.

That said, if you do it outside, and take care to constantly touch bare metal of the case to discharge any static in your body, then you can certainly use the cans of dust off gas to clean out the critical components - fans, heatsinks, vents, etc.

Oh, so thats called canned air haha, sorry for my lack of knowledge in english. Okay then! I will try cleaning it first and see if the vid card will work, thanks a lot for all the info Digerati!

HEY IT DID WORK! after I cleaned all the dust thats sticking through vid card and the rest of the PC, there is no big fan noise when I play the games! Thanks a bunch!

Great - now don't let it get that dirty again!

Yea I never knew about that, silly me :P