Cleaning dust from imac

I was cleaning my imac today and noticed a significant amount if dust accumulated at the air vents on the back. I vacuumed these out, but Im wondering if it is ever necessary to open the machine and clean out the dust. Is there a filter of some sort on the inside? should I use compressed air and just try to blow out the vents from the outside? Just wondering what a good practice is to keep the dust out of my machine?

Hi there,
Your machine has been well engineered to limit the amount of dust build up inside, however through time dust will build up, to be honest just blowing air in doesn't really work. Unless you really know what you are doing then i don't advise opening the unit up to clean it out.

Similar Messages

Cleaning Dust from x220 fan without digging too deep into laptop

Hello fellow posters:
I've noticed that there is a whiny sound from the cpu for several months now ever since I got this laptop refurbished online. I've read into the problem and I've read several solutions
[list]
Spray the vents with compressed air without opening laptop
Open the laptop and spray on the fan holding the can air of vertically
Open the laptop and clean the fan with a brush.[/list]
I'm afraid either static or moisture will harm the laptop
I opened the laptop today and noticed there were dust buildups in the wings of the fan but I didn't do anything (It was just an inspection for now I suppose).
[img]http://s27.postimg.org/d9j1f43wj/X220_Common_Rem_CRU_5_palmrest_avi_snapshot_01_3.jpg[/img]
This is a snapshot of some other x220 (not mine). In the upper left corner there is the cpu fan. I can access it by removing the palmrest and keyboard. I'm trying to find a way not to remove the heatsink/fan so I don't dig too dip into the laptop
What should I do to fix this dust problem?
Solved!
Go to Solution.

I would just remove keyboard and palmrest, block the fan with your finger, a tootpick or any other object and apply compressed air.
I normally do it from the vents towards the fan, then move the fan a little and repeat the operation. After that I apply air directly to the fan vents, always blocking the fan!
Hope this helps...
/L40SX/240/240X/2*340CSE/360PE/365XD/380D/380E/380XD/380Z/390/560E/560X/2*570/2*600/600E/750Cs/755C/760CD/760EL/760XD/770E/A20p/A22p
A31/i1600/G40/R50p/R61i/S30/SL510/2*T22/4*T4x/11*T6x/6*T4x0x/6*T5x0/3*W5x0/W700/3*X2x/4*X3x/3*X4x/5*X6x/3*X6xT/10*X2xx/2*X200T/4*X30x/Z60m/3*Z61x
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HT3226 how do I clean dust from inside Mac Pro?

I have compressed air, but I know it also can leave some residue, even when it is held upright (never ever use compressed air from a can held other than upright!). But is there something like a mini-vacuum cleaner? I don't want to blow the dust and cat hair further into the machine. When using compressed air it tends to blow it everywhere...what about compressed air plus holding, nearby, the operating end of a vacuum cleaner hose?

I have just cleaned my Mac Pro. Yes you are on the right track. I pulled out the processor assembly at the bottom, the SuperDrive tray at the top (both very easy), and the graphics card (at little bit harder), and with compressed air in one hand, and vacuum cleaner in the other, I blowed and vacuumed out all the dust, there was heaps!
As others have suggested, use the compress air conservatively and in brief bursts, and only when the vacuum can't get to or dislodge some dust. I've had one graphics card fail due to the build up of dust in his fan fins, so I recommend getting it out and cleaning those little fins - which will probably be clogged with dust.
My Mac Pro now runs much quieter, and happier I suspect.

What is the best way to clean dust from unibody MacBook?

I have the aluminum late 2008 MacBook (basically like the pro, except not). I've realized that I keep finding myself in dusty situations, and while I don't think it's affected my MacBook too much, I think a basic clean is in order.
Anyone know the best method? I've done a bit of browsing and it seems that my options include using a compressed air can, vacuum, moist dust cloth, and even opening it up and shaking. They've all been heavily disputed. I suppose I'll recieve a debate of that sort here, but perhaps we can reach a majority of votes toward one or the other?
Or perhaps, does anyone know if Apple provides some kind of MacBook cleaning service or if computer repair companies would do this? I don't know if that's too drastic...

Migration Assistant is the best way to get everything.

Cleaning dust from inside G5

Hi
I've just had a problem
My G5 2.5Ghz dual just shut down no warning just went off there seemed to be a bit of a burning smell when it did
I checked it would start up again after i left it a couple of hours to cool down it seems to be ok
I had a look inside & it looks a bit dusty in there now i have ordered some cans of compressed air but i dont just want to dive in there & start spraying it around
What things should i be looking for is there anything i need to stay away from spraying what components if any do i need to remove
If anyone has done this procedure could you please post the steps you took or if you know the procedures again could you please post them
I have done a search first to see if anyone has done this before & i did find the link someone kindly posted for the service source PDF
Thanks in advance

None of the above. What, you think I don't watch the forums?
The reality is that I very rarely hang onto any hardware longer than two years. I bought the DP2.7 refurbished and it still had 1 year of AppleCare left on it when I sold it. I also started using a kill-a-watt meter to measure power consumption and felt that the PMG5 used too much juice for what I was doing with it. Same goes for the server I sold and moved those operations to a mini. This MBP uses far less juice than either of the G5s and i have the electric bills to prove it.
As an aside, I've bought nothing but refurbished Macs since they were available from Apple. I don't know if this is a fact, but it sure seems like I never seem to suffer any of the "normal" problems so it makes me think they take care of most of that stuff before shipping them back out.
However, you've been here long enough to realize that it is true that the majority of the time when someone complains about a dead Mac they have never opened it up and cleaned it out, let alone not having it on a UPS.
Luck-
-DP

Imac 27" Intel Core 7 CPU. Screen goes black and will not respond except with a push of power button. Second monitor connected via displayport continues to display fine. Apply Store did full hardware scan and all is fine. Did clean wipe from Mavrick back

Imac 27" Intel Core7 CPU 16 Gig RAM. Screen goes black and will not respond except with a push of power button. Second monitor connected via displayport continues to display fine. Apply Store did full hardware diagnostic and all is fine. Did clean wipe from Mavrick back to Mountain Lion but problem remains. Apple Store can do no more.

I did some more digging, it appears to be a backlight problem only. I can see the screen very dimly if I use a bright flashlight in a very dark room. It also seems to run ok if the brightness is turned down a LOT.
So I'm thinking this is a LED driver board issue or the display itself. I'll open it up and check the connection between the two and see if I can get any more clues. At least I can use it somewhat now by dimming the display significantly...

How do I move my iPhoto library from iMac G5 OSX 10.4 to iMac OSX 10.7?

How do I move my iPhoto library from iMac G5 OSX 10.4 to iMac OSX 10.7.2?

If you are doing an upgrade on the same Mac, just leave it where it is. When you do the upgrade, as long as it is not a "clean install" (wipe everything and start over), you should not lose any files.
If you are moving it to another Mac, move it to the same location in your user account on the other Mac. For example, no matter which Mac I'm on, the iPhoto library is always in Home/Pictures/iPhoto Library.

Trying to clean up my iMac. Noticed that while in finder, I click on Applications and in the list I see another folder called applications that is a duplicator of the original folder. Is this truly a copy that can be deleted?

Trying to clean up my iMac. Noticed that while in finder, I click on Applications and in the list I see another folder called applications that is a duplicator of the original folder. Is this truly a copy that can be deleted?

DO NOT remove either folder. DO NOT mess with any OS X system files either. If you have dupliocates check your files in iPhoto, iTunes and your iMovies libraries. Also check your data files, under ALL circumstances stay away from any OS X systems files or you will probably bork your Mac to the point it will not run.

HT1338 how do you perform a clean install for imac

How to perform a clean install for imac, because I cannot upgrade to version 10.6?

Here are the technical requirements for Snow Leopard:
http://support.apple.com/kb/sp575
If your iMac meets the requirements, then you will have to purchase the Snow Leopard disk from apple:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard
To reinstall your OS, insert the original OS disk that came with your iMac and start up the iMac holding the C key. Start the installation process and when you see the menu bar, select 'Utilities'. From the drop down menu, select Disk Utility. Erase the HDD and the continue the installation.
Note that this will erase all data on the HDD so have it backed up before you start.
Ciao.

Data Transfer from iMac (Mac OS 8.6) to Windows

I am trying to help my 84 year old father move from iMac to Windows Vista. I can help him with Windows, but know very little about Mac, so it has been a challenge for years to assist with his computer use.
He has a large number of relatively small Word 2001 documents I want to move to the new environment. He also uses a browser based email client and is running an older version of Netscape as the browser.
My first attempt was to use a USB thumb drive to copy the files between the two systems. This failed with errors of unrecognized USB device. I found a couple references to this, and installed "USB Mass Storage Support version 1.3.5" (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60394). Now, when I insert the USB drive, there is no error message. But when I open Disk Utility, I do not see the USB device - only the hard drive and floppy. Am I looking in the right location to see the USB device? Is there anything I need to do to enable the USB device?
My next idea was to email the files to my account and then download them on the new computer. This works to get the files onto the new computer, but they are in a format that is unrecognizable to anything in the Windows world. When I attach the files to a message in the browser email client, they were renamed from "File Name.doc" to "iso-8859-1''File%20Name". I am not sure if this is a behavior of the email client or the browser or something else. At any rate, I am not able to interpret those files on the Windows computer. I have an ODF word processor that has an import from iso 8859-1 format, but even that does not come in cleanly. I am not sure where I am going wrong.
Any suggestions to assist in the transfer? Can I put all of the word docs into a zip file and just email that?
Is there an easier way?

But when I open Disk Utility, I do not see the USB device - only the hard drive and floppy. Am I looking in the right location to see the USB device? Is there anything I need to do to enable the USB device?
If the computer is running Mac OS 8.6, and USB Mass Storage Support 1.3.5 is installed, the USB flash drive should appear on the Desktop. The iMac should see a PC-formatted drive. Connect the flash drive to one of the USB ports in the computer (not the keyboard). USB device detection difficulties are not unusual. If still problematic, you may want to try another drive model.
BTW, you mentioned a floppy. Since the iMac does not have a built-in floppy drive, would it be correct to assume that an external USB floppy drive has been connected?
When I attach the files to a message in the browser email client, they were renamed from "File Name.doc" to "iso-8859-1''File%20Name". I am not sure if this is a behavior of the email client or the browser or something else. At any rate, I am not able to interpret those files on the Windows computer.
You could try to rename the files again, with a .doc suffix. Usually, files can be opened under Windows anyway (but from a list). Have you checked whether the file format in question appears under the Open dialogue in your PC word processing program? Otherwise, you could per se save the files in a universal format (such as RTF or plain Text) on the iMac, but that may be complicated with a large number of documents.
Jan

HP G61 Laptop - Cleaning dust

Hi,
Does anyone have a guide or some steps into how to clean the dust from the fan in my laptop.
Don't want to just dive striaght in as I know everything inside a laptop is very compact and I will more than likely cause more problems.
Basically my fan is going crazy without anything really running on my laptop.
This will then cause it to go VERY slow when I do decide to use it.
Any help would be appreciated.

Hi,
You're welcome
Compressed air can be pretty effective at removing dust from the fan and intake vents.
You can disassemble the notebook if you wish, but I wouldn't recommend it if you haven't done this before - if you do want to try this, here's your Maintenance & Service Guide.
Best regards,
DP-K
****Click the White thumb to say thanks****
****Please mark Accept As Solution if it solves your problem****
****I don't work for HP****
Microsoft MVP - Windows Experience

How to get indesign from iMac to mac powerbook which does not have cd slot?

how to get indesign from iMac to mac powerbook which does not have cd slot?

That will not work!
You cannot copy or migrate Adobe applications from computer to computer. There are a whole host of files in different locations which have to be installed, and copying will not do it.
In fact, you'll now have to use the Adobe Cleaner tool to remove the mess you created. You can get to it here:
Use the CC Cleaner Tool to solve installation ... - Adobe

The best way to clean dust off of the screen

Hello everyone,
Does anyone have any tips for removing the dust from the iMac G5 screen?
I'm especially thinking about the edges, where the dust might be able to collect.
Thanks,
-F

I am not sure if they are available in the UK, but I use these from Falcon Safety. They are a microfiber cloth that will not scratch your screen. It is relatively thin, so you can get into the "ledge" around the display.

Backup to external HD and clean reinstall of imac g5

Hi, I recently purchased an Iomega Ultramax 500gb external HD with the intention of moving my iphoto library to free up the space on my imac which only has an 80gb hard drive. The short story is that disaster struck and the iomega failed resulting in a lengthy recovery process using Data Recovery II. I now have my photos backed up to cd & dvd and Apple have replaced my Iomega.
My intention is now to use the new Iomega to create a complete backup/clone of my imac hd and then do a clean system reinstall of the imac.
Do I need to partition the new iomega?
If so is there an idiots guide to do this?
Once complete can I use the iomega as the host drive for my new iphoto library?
Are there any problems with this idea?
I am seriously considering buying a new model imac with a much bigger hd with Aperture and iphoto, will I be able to access and use files from the backup and transfer to new imac. As you might imagine my recent experience has left a fear factor, all I want is to get back to a simple and safe system.

Hi Tinbum,
any luck on a response?
I also want to completely restore / clean my new iMac but need to backup all the data to an external drive for 2 reasons. 1 to create an external bootable HD and for regular "time capsule" like regular backups once all setup.
problems are;
1. is there a way to setup an external HD on my router ethernet port to be recognized by the Mac
2. is there software to do regular backups. Time Capsule doesnt seem mature enough at this stage.
Cheers

I'm attempting to migrate files from iMac to new MacBook air. The estimated time shown on the display is over ten hours. Is that correct? Is there a way to do it quicker?

I'm attempting to migrate files from iMac to new MacBook air. The estimated time shown on the display is over ten hours. Is that correct? Is there a way to do it quicker?

It's quite possible, since you are using an MBA without Firewire, that it could take that long.
A Basic Guide for Migrating to Intel-Macs
If you are migrating a PowerPC system (G3, G4, or G5) to an Intel-Mac be careful what you migrate. Keep in mind that some items that may get transferred will not work on Intel machines and may end up causing your computer's operating system to malfunction.
Rosetta supports "software that runs on the PowerPC G3, G4, or G5 processor that are built for Mac OS X". This excludes the items that are not universal binaries or simply will not work in Rosetta:
>Classic Environment, and subsequently any Mac OS 9 or earlier applications
>Screensavers written for the PowerPC
>System Preference add-ons
>All Unsanity Haxies
>Browser and other plug-ins
>Contextual Menu Items
>Applications which specifically require the PowerPC G5
>Kernel extensions
>Java applications with JNI (PowerPC) libraries
See also What Can Be Translated by Rosetta.
In addition to the above you could also have problems with migrated cache files and/or cache files containing code that is incompatible.
If you migrate a user folder that contains any of these items, you may find that your Intel-Mac is malfunctioning. It would be wise to take care when migrating your systems from a PowerPC platform to an Intel-Mac platform to assure that you do not migrate these incompatible items.
If you have problems with applications not working, then completely uninstall said application and reinstall it from scratch. Take great care with Java applications and Java-based Peer-to-Peer applications. Many Java apps will not work on Intel-Macs as they are currently compiled. As of this time Limewire, Cabos, and Acquisition are available as universal binaries. Do not install browser plug-ins such as Flash or Shockwave from downloaded installers unless they are universal binaries. The version of OS X installed on your Intel-Mac comes with special compatible versions of Flash and Shockwave plug-ins for use with your browser.
The same problem will exist for any hardware drivers such as mouse software unless the drivers have been compiled as universal binaries. For third-party mice the current choices are USB Overdrive or SteerMouse. Contact the developer or manufacturer of your third-party mouse software to find out when a universal binary version will be available.
Also be careful with some backup utilities and third-party disk repair utilities. Disk Warrior 4.1, TechTool Pro 4.6.1, SuperDuper 2.5, and Drive Genius 2.0.2 work properly on Intel-Macs with Leopard. The same caution may apply to the many "maintenance" utilities that have not yet been converted to universal binaries. Leopard Cache Cleaner, Onyx, TinkerTool System, and Cocktail are now compatible with Leopard.
Before migrating or installing software on your Intel-Mac check MacFixit's Rosetta Compatibility Index.
Additional links that will be helpful to new Intel-Mac users:
Intel In Macs
Apple Guide to Universal Applications
MacInTouch List of Compatible Universal Binaries
MacInTouch List of Rosetta Compatible Applications
MacUpdate List of Intel-Compatible Software
Transferring data with Setup Assistant - Migration Assistant FAQ
Because Migration Assistant isn't the ideal way to migrate from PowerPC to Intel Macs, using Target Disk Mode, copying the critical contents to CD and DVD, an external hard drive, or networking
will work better when moving from PowerPC to Intel Macs. The initial section below discusses Target Disk Mode. It is then followed by a section which discusses networking with Macs that lack Firewire.
If both computers support the use of Firewire then you can use the following instructions:
1. Repair the hard drive and permissions using Disk Utility.
2. Backup your data. This is vitally important in case you make a mistake or there's some other problem.
3. Connect a Firewire cable between your old Mac and your new Intel Mac.
4. Startup your old Mac in Target Disk Mode.
5. Startup your new Mac for the first time, go through the setup and registration screens, but do NOT migrate data over. Get to your desktop on the new Mac without migrating any new data over.
If you are not able to use a Firewire connection (for example you have a Late 2008 MacBook that only supports USB:)
1. Set up a local home network: Creating a small Ethernet Network.
2. If you have a MacBook Air or Late 2008 MacBook see the following:
>MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) and MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008)- Migration Tips and Tricks;
>MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) and MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008)- What to do if migration is unsuccessful;
>MacBook Air- Migration Tips and Tricks;
>MacBook Air- Remote Disc, Migration, or Remote Install Mac OS X and wireless 802.11n networks.
Copy the following items from your old Mac to the new Mac:
>In your /Home/ folder: Documents, Movies, Music, Pictures, and Sites folders.
>
>In your /Home/Library/ folder:
>/Home/Library/Application Support/AddressBook (copy the whole folder)
>/Home/Library/Application Support/iCal (copy the whole folder)
>Also in /Home/Library/Application Support (copy whatever else you need including folders for any third-party applications)
>
>/Home/Library/Keychains (copy the whole folder)
>/Home/Library/Mail (copy the whole folder)
>/Home/Library/Preferences/ (copy the whole folder)
>/Home /Library/Calendars (copy the whole folder)
>/Home /Library/iTunes (copy the whole folder)
>/Home /Library/Safari (copy the whole folder)
>
>If you want cookies:
>
>/Home/Library/Cookies/Cookies.plist
>/Home/Library/Application Support/WebFoundation/HTTPCookies.plist
>
>For Entourage users:
>
>Entourage is in /Home/Documents/Microsoft User Data
>Also in /Home/Library/Preferences/Microsoft
>
>Credit goes to Macjack for this information.
If you need to transfer data for other applications please ask the vendor or ask in the Discussions where specific applications store their data.
5. Once you have transferred what you need restart the new Mac and test to make sure the contents are there for each of the applications.
Written by Kappy with additional contributions from a brody.
Revised 1/6/2009

Cleaning dust from imac

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