Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for visiting Bitshine, the professional computer cleaners. Here we have a little FAQ section to help you understand exactly what we do here.

What exactly do you do here?

Well, for large and/or specialty jobs, such as cleaning an entire server room, be sure to visit our BOOK NOW page to get in contact and request a quote. But the day-to-day operation here is an on-site desktop computer cleaning service. There are a lot of dirty computers out there, and we aim to remedy that.

I've never once cleaned my computer, is it really necessary?

A car will run if you never change the oil, but it will last a lot longer and run better if you perform regular maintenance. That's all this is. Though it varies from case to case, it's well known that regular cleanings will add years to your computer's lifespan and increase performance; plus it's a lot cheaper than replacing components or your entire machine. If you can spare 5 min, do a quick online search for facts and tips about keeping your devices clean.

Why does cleaning help?

Primarily, dust and dirt harms your computer by clogging air intakes, heat sinks, and fans, all of which leads to overheating. In the short term, this can trigger the computer to run more slowly or shutdown certain components to avoid damage. This can lead to poor performance and crashes. In the long run, if left untreated it can cause permanent damage to vital components.

Can't I just clean it myself?

Yes! And we strongly encourage that. Please check out our CLEANING TIPS page for some useful information. Cleaning a computer is something anyone can learn, but without proper tools and knowledge you can easily destroy a $1000 piece of equipment in an instant.

How much does it cost?

It really depends on the situation. Some computers need more frequent cleaning than others. We recommend a Full Cleaning, or "deep clean", every two years or so for the price of $70. So a typical customer can maintain the health of a single desktop computer for as low as $35 per year. Though some for even less. We also offer a volume discount for up to 45% off. The more computers cleaned the better per unit price. So if you book with a friend (or just have lots of computers) you can cut that $35 a year almost in half. The knee-jerk reaction tends to be a reluctance to spend that much on something people aren't sure they need; especially with the recent price increases on just about everything. But I would argue that now more than ever it's important to maintain the equipment we have for as long as possible. If you feel comfortable cleaning electronics yourself and have the necessary tools then by all means please do so. This business started when we here at Bitshine realized that it seems like most people don't clean their computers, I think ever. Honestly it would make us happy just to hear that people are doing it.

$35 per year? Don't you mean $34.99?

How long does it take?

It varies depending on what machine you have and how dirty it is. A deep clean for a desktop computer averages around 45 min, though allow 1 hr for the full visit.

Do you clean other electronics?

Yes, laptops, printers, TVs, gaming consoles, phones and tablets, etc. Computers are our primary focus but we'll clean any electronic that is within our means. Desktops are designed for the cases to be accessed for cleaning and replacing parts, but other devices will only be opened on a case-by-case basis. Most of the time things like printers and consoles simply need to have the outside wiped down and have the dust sprayed out, but we use special tools to ensure it's done safely and effectively.

Can I bring my computer in for
cleaning?

Nope, we come to you! Not having a brick and mortar location is one more way we all save $$$.

No, I'm not sure why people are still doing that, they're not fooling anyone. All prices are as-seen with no tax or hidden fees. For a complete list see our PRICING page. Be sure to scroll all the way down and take a look at our volume discount.

Do you repair computers?

No, but we keep them clean so they can run their best.

But of course the discount requires a membership card right?

No! Honestly I'm getting a bit sick of all that stuff. No memberships, no flash sales, no catches. We set a fair price and that's that. What we can do is make our service more efficient to keep overhead low, hence the volume discount.

With the volume discount this is cheaper than some house cleaning, how?

For one thing we have no bick-and-mortar store. Being mobile costs fuel, but it's nothing compared to rent, heat, lighting. ect. In addition, we are a "receptionless" service. We still respond to inquires as fast as possible, but there's no one whose job is to just wait for the phone to ring. It's far cheaper, and turn around on requests is usually only a day or less. But the main reason is that it's FAR more efficient to clean a lot of devices in one place instead of driving all over town cleaning one machine at a time. Let's say we cleaned 10 computers. If they're all in one place it should take under 10 hrs. But include 15 min of driving for every device and that's 2.5 hrs of lost revenue. That doesn't even include the cost of fuel. Be sure to look at the volume discount before booking, and maybe see if your neighbors want to get in on it, so you'll both get the best possible price.

So you'll make my computer fun faster?

To be clear, cleaning your computer won't provide an immediate noticeable difference in performance. But if you were to track it over the years you would see a definite improvement in performance and lifespan from a well maintained computer over a poorly maintained one. If you're looking for a faster more stable machine, in addition to regular cleanings, consider software changes. Things like installing malware blockers, defragmenting, running disk cleanup, and removing background processes. But the first place to start is simply shutting down your computer. Turning it off every night will increase lifespan of moving parts, save energy, and clear the RAM thereby improving performance.

Will you install performance enhancing software for me?

Sorry no, we don't do anything regarding software or computer repair. We strictly clean hardware. But there are numerous resources online that can help.

Why is it Bitshine.biz?

The dot-biz designation is for businesses. I actually wonder why more people don't use it. Maybe we'll set a new trend.

My computer was cleaned, why is it still dusty?

Sometimes canned air isn't enough. If your computer was just cleaned but still looks a bit lackluster, maybe it's time to consider a deep clean. There may be oddly shaped corners where tools can't really scrub, and places that shouldn't really be scrubbed such as the circuit boards, plus dust begins reaccumulating immediately (I suspect there's an electrostatic attraction). But the important thing is getting rid of the caked on dust, especially on the fans. With one exception, please review our CLEANING TIPS page for the information about power supplies. It is normal for dust to remain in the power supply after cleaning. Parts of the power supply can remain energized even when the computer is off which creates a shock hazard. In addition, damaging the power supply can have potentially dire consequences. NEVER insert any object into the power supply, even if someone insists it's fine, it simply isn't worth the risk.

Ok, this seems like a good idea. Sell me on it:

Yeah, we don't do that here. We simply share information, what you do with it is up to you. The easiest way to decide is to just do the math. If you have your computer deep cleaned every other year, and take full advantage of our volume discount, the cost would be $19.25 per year. That's about 5 cents per day.

How much do you rely on your PC? How expensive is it to replace your computer vs maintain it? How long would it take to replace and how much productivity would be lost in the meantime? How hard would it be to learn to clean it yourself?

The question isn't: "Should I clean my computer?" You should.

It will last longer and run better. The questions to ask are: "How often should I be cleaning my computer?" and "Is it worth the cost to bring in a professional?" Both answers depend on your specific situation.

So try this: power down, unplug, and spray your device with canned air. Now take a flashlight and look inside. Is it still dusty? If not, excellent, you're done! You might wipe and spray out your peripherals for good measure, but the really important part is already taken care of. Still dirty? Then it's time for a deep clean. Do you feel confident doing it yourself? If so, great! If not, no problem. We're here to help. Either way it gets cleaned. Honestly there's no rush to decide. Do a little research, think it over. Feel free to ask us any and all questions, no matter how small. We're here if you need us.