cleaning - How often should I dust the inside of my computer?

I would like to avoid frying my computer. I understand dust collects inside on the boards and the CPU cooling unit. How often should I open up the chassis and what process should I use to safely remove the dust?

Answer

This depends greatly on how dusty your house is. I open mine up every few months, and use some pressurized air to blow out all the vents, etc.

You'll want to pay special attention to the areas that usually get hot - for instance, the CPU. Make sure there's proper air flow through the system, and if you turn your computer off a lot, you'll notice a build-up on the fans as well.

If you live in a dusty area, or are a smoker, you'll want to do this on a very regular basis.