not using a laptop for quite some time, will the hardware get rusted

[kenny1999]

Not using a laptop (mean not turning ON ) for quite some time (let say half a year), could the hardware inside get rusted more easily ?? Because I guess hardware components are usually made of metals

Another question about desktop PC.

I have a desktop PC that I would clean out the dust from time to time (usually 2-3 months a time), however, I never use any moist cloth to wipe any hardware directly. I always only use dry brush and that's it. Is it OK? Anything more I have to do to keep the PC the best

[johns0]

Unless your computer is in a bathtub it will never rust,i have pc parts from 20 years ago that are in the same condition as then,hardware components use the least amount of metal as possible,mostly pcb with component parts.

[redwudz]

I use some 'canned air' product to blow dust out of the internals of a PC. But do it outdoors.
You don't want to breathe that dust.

I also temporarily put a plastic wire tie into the fans to keep them from spinning overly fast and
damaging the bearings when using air to clean.

You can use a lint free cloth dampened with a bit of 90% isopropyl alcohol to remove grease from some internal parts.

[raffriff42]

The CMOS battery will lose voltage over time, which can make the BIOS not recognize the boot drive. No problem, except with certain laptops, where changing the battery is a major job.

Most connectors in a computer are gold plated and won't rust, but some analog audio jacks are not, they're merely chrome plated. If they get corroded they would need to be replaced.

There are steel parts inside some computers that probably could rust - case screws, keyboard return springs, lid hinges, ...?

[awgie]

Unless you're storing your equipment in a damp location, such as a basement, attic, or garage, you likely will never have any rust or other corrosion.

Dust, on the other hand – and smoke, if you heat with wood (like I do), or worse if you're a smoker (because of the tar) – can be real problems. I have one older laptop that I hardly ever use (maybe once a year, if that), so I keep the ports and vents covered with tape when I'm not using it. Dust and smoke left unattended will eventually adhere to the interior parts and can cause short circuits when you fire up the machine, and compressed air alone will not be enough to clean it out if you let it get to that point.

For laptops, it's also a good idea to periodically make sure the battery is charged up. You don't want to allow it to discharge completely to 0% or it can damage the battery.

[kenny1999]

I guess I shouldn't use any compressed air can to clean out the anything inside a laptop computer, right?

I am not talking about desktop PC

[redwudz]

Unless you can block the CPU fan from turning, I wouldn't use 'canned air' on a laptop.
Too much chance of damaging the fan bearings.

[awgie]

Unless you can block the CPU fan from turning, I wouldn't use 'canned air' on a laptop.
Too much chance of damaging the fan bearings.

Not only that, if you use compressed air on a laptop, there's nowhere for the dirt to go, so you will tend to drive the dirt farther into the machine, rather than getting rid of it. For a laptop, you need to use a special vacuum designed for computers (less powerful to prevent damaging the machine, and smaller attachments to fit into tighter spaces).