Recommendations for cleaning PCIe & Memory slots - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: apelly
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 18, 2015, 07:17:44 am
content: Hi guys,TL;DR - What have you used to successfully clean PCIe & memory slotsI'm knocking together a PC from junk I have lying around. If it works, I'll replace my firewall with it. The motherboard I selected has a core 2 duo on it, and originally failed for unknown reasons. Symptoms = no response of any kind to anything. I replaced the power supply, and then the MB to get things going quickly.Anyway, I thought I'd fiddle around with it on the bench and see if it was really dead or not. Turns out that cleaning the memory and PCI slots, wiggling the RAM and the video card has brought it to life. It seems to be working flawlessly at the moment, but has refused to boot a couple of times. Boot issues have been solved by more wiggling.So, I guess that there is some light corrosion or dirt on some pins somewhere. Not surprising. I'm not sure how old the MB is, but it was on for essentially 100% of its life, and the dust around here is pretty nasty stuff. (city, diesel)I have tried cleaning with IPA on a cloth and a stick. Not ideal, but I can't think of a better way. A wipe with 1200 grit maybe?

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2015, 07:36:55 am
content: ipa and a toothbrush

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2015, 07:51:59 am
content: This stuff, and air. To blow away the dirt-carrying liquid to the board edge where a wipe can get it.http://nl.farnell.com/kontakt-chemie/kontakt-pcc-200ml/cleaner-kontakt-lr-200ml/dp/2142400

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2015, 08:20:08 am
content: Quote from: Jeroen3 on May 18, 2015, 07:51:59 amthis stuff is ipa

author: cyr
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2015, 09:05:49 am
content: I don't think kontakt PCC is (only) IPA, I have used both and PCC seems more aggressive...

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2015, 09:55:41 am
content: Read the safety data sheet linked at the bottom of that farnell page. It's up to 50% ipa, and some other stuff that may be stronger than ipa.Anyway, a tip i got from the service department of an it store ... to clean memory slots, get a piece of paper, fold it once or twice to get the proper thickness than drag it in the slot to rub against all the pins. The regular copier paper is abrasive enough to take oxidation forming on the pins yet not bend the pins or cause other issues.isopropyl alcohol in decent concentrations (i'd say 97% and better) works great for me to clean lots of things.

author: apelly
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 18, 2015, 12:44:05 pm
content: Quote from: mariush on May 18, 2015, 09:55:41 amSounds plausible. I'll give it a go.IPA & toothbrush are next on the list. Thanks guys.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2015, 04:27:14 pm
content: You can try cleaning using compressed air and then IPA to get the greasy bits out. It also depends on the amount of mating cycles the slots have endured. Once a connector is worn the only remedy is to replace it.

author: apelly
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 04, 2015, 11:38:34 pm
content: Quote from: apelly on May 18, 2015, 12:44:05 pmPaper + IPA seems to have dome the trick. Been stable for a couple of weeks now.Thanks for the tips guys.