Chocolate somehow got into my bag. When I pulled my MBA out, the USB port was plugged full of chocolate. Would you advise against cleaning it out with a wet Q-tip? If so, what method would you recommend?
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Cameron
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How to clean USB port
Comments: 4 Responses to “How to clean USB port”
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I don't know what the "right" thing to do would be, but here is what I would try:
Use a DRY Q-tip. I wouldn't try to use anything wet and make it worse.
I would also cool down the port and the whole machine as much as you could -- turn it off and leave it off in a cold place (maybe the fridge?) for a while. Make the chocolate as solid and flakey as possible. Then use dry Q-tips, but very gently. I'd also use a can of compressed air to blow it out some as you go. Or, maybe a vacuum cleaner hose that can pull the particles out.
If it still wasn't working, I would wet the Q-tip, but not with water. Never water. I would use isopropyl alcohol, the kind you get at the market in the pharmacy section. Alcohol dries much faster and is less likely to cause problems.
Good luck.
If all else fails...and you're willing to take a chance with your MBA on something other than a $100+... "repair/replace" - I've used CRC QD Electronic Cleaner (Google "CRC QC") on everything from car-electrical to electronics. It's alcohol based, dries quickly, and doesn't harm plastics or circuit boards according to mfg. (or my experience). MSDS available. You can buy it at your local auto-supply store and a gazillion other places. About $5/spray can - *with* that funky little red spray tube for precise application.
make that Google "CRC QD" - must have quality-control on my mind. Or fumble fingers.
p.p.s. -- if you go this route, make SURE you purchase the red&white can "electronic" aerosol - not the green&white "contact" aerosol - which is pretty much used for heavy-industrial-machinery relays and such.