Issue 18.17
As we head into the hotter months locally, it brings up the concern of how to keep your computer cool and running smoothly.
The first and most important thing is to make sure the cooling fans in your computer are working well and not clogged up with dust or pet hair. When fans get clogged or sometimes just get old, they lose efficiency and do not cool as well. If they stop working altogether or slow down too much, your computer can be damaged and can be quite expensive to fix.
The way to check on this issue is to feel the exhaust air being pushed out of your computer. If it is hot, especially if it is uncomfortably hot, you probably have a problem that needs to be addressed. It is normal for the airflow to be warm, but not hot. In laptops and all-in-one desktop computers the air pathway is fairly limited and needs to remain clear at all times. Make sure you are not blocking the airflow by sitting the laptops on bedding or other material that can block the flow. I recommend the laptop desks or bases that you put under them. They have fans that blow cooler air on the underside of the computer which helps them stay cool.
If you don’t feel any air movement, check the temperature of the case. If it is hot and there is no airflow, the fans may not be working which is quite serious. Some fans are redundant meaning there are more than one so if one stops, others keep the cooling going, but fans that directly cool the main computer chip (CPU or Central Processing Unit) and the video card do not have backups and are critical to performance and equipment safety.
Some fans are easy to replace and a reasonably tech savvy user can do the work. If you have doubts however, have your professional tech do this since, if the fan is installed backwards or incorrectly, it may not cool correctly which will lead to much more expensive repairs. Replacing the CPU and motherboard could cost hundreds of dollars and might lead to data loss.
Finally, it is best to locate your computer where there is sufficient airflow. I have seen a number of computers that are in closed drawers or cabinets with no airflow provided. When we open the door, the air inside is hot and often the computer is not working well. If you “hide” your computer, make sure there are fans installed in the desk that move air through the enclosed area. If the room your computer is in tends to be extra warm (computers generate some heat even when working well) it is good to make sure it is air-conditioned to a comfortable temperature.
Avoid overheating the components and your computer will work better and last longer – and always make sure you remember to protect your data, documents, pictures and your computer, phone and tablet by always backing up anything important.
Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 34 years, 27 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently works as a computer consultant. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or mccausland.shaun54@gmail.com