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Odd question here about a stinky computer

17 years ago

I picked up a couple of computers a couple of weeks ago and one of the computers had a bad power supply is all. I decided to change the power supply out from the other machine to use in the one with the bad PS. Well, the one that the PS works was obviously a smokers machine because the power supply although totally clean stinks bad when it is running.

Is there any way to eliminate or at least cut down the bad odor? I have dissasembled the power supply and cleaned all the fan blades and wiped the components down but still not much difference. I'm thinking I may have to find an alternative PS.

Thanks, Neal

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Comments (6)

ravencajun Zone 8b TX
17 years ago
I have not found any way to get that stink out of electronics it just seeps into the core. And there is only so much you can do to something like a power supply and still be safe and not kill it.
johnkr
17 years ago
I know what you are talking about. Placing the smoke exposed parts outdoors, on a day its not going to rain, should help reduce the smell. You should also be able to find a replacement power supply for about $40.

It has been my experience that computers exposed to second hand smoke have more problems compared to those from a cleaner environment.
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indy452
Original Author
17 years ago
"It has been my experience that computers exposed to second hand smoke have more problems compared to those from a cleaner environment."

Kinda like a human huh!

Thanks I'll try it if the sun ever comes out here for more than a day!

Neal
mikie_gw
17 years ago
If it were mine I'd probably lightly mist some renuzit or that other highly advertized odor eliminator behind the fans intake every now and then.
johnkr
17 years ago
Uhh, I don't know if I would spray a deodorizer containing moisture into the computer.

The odor will eventually go away. If anything, an indoor air cleaner might suck the odor out of the computer. I still think a day or two of fresh air and sunshine would help.

Neal, I've seen computers with brown IDE cables that were once light grey. LOL I wear rubber gloves when I work on those "stinky" PCs.
dsmitty
17 years ago
I found a way that helps with a smoke filled computer. I take dryer sheets, like Bounce, and cut them into sizes that will cover all the inlets and outlets on the computer case and tape them in place. Then when the computer is running, the exhaust smells like the dryer sheets and after while the smoke smell will be pretty much gone from the computer.

Good Luck
Smitty

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