heads up on performance issues: your machine exists in the physical world!

[sydbat]

Depending on what lives in your home with you (pets...really, I mean pets...), you might have to clean every couple of months. And yes, when vacuuming, make sure the power is off, the power cord is out and you are not creating any static...easy enough by not doing it on carpet.

Haven't had a problem yet. *knocks on wood just to make sure*

BTW - danny_galaga is correct...computer hardware is much sturdier than you may think.

[danny_galaga]

so your saying i should do it more than once every 4 years

[VraiChevalier]

A word of caution regarding using a vacuum cleaner; they can generate a lot of static electricity. Be careful to not touch the nozzle or wand on any sensitive electronics or chips.

[GepettoBR]

I have even used moist cloths to clean my video board before. As long as you don't soak it too much and wait for everything to be perfectly dry before allowing any sort of electric current through, you're good to go. The vacuum idea is good, though. I have an old Dustbuster laying around that might perfectly fit the bill...

[danny_galaga]

you guys are going to be in for a shock if ever you get into restoring old arcade machines. those dudes put motherboards in dishwashing machines to clean off the dust!

(i wouldnt recommend doing that with a pc though )