Keep your computer comfortable!
Here in the UK (and much of Europe) we are in the middle of a heatwave that shows little sign of abating.
There are lots of articles in newspapers and magazines about keeping cool in the hot weather, drinking plenty of fluids, and so on. However, one thing that can easily get forgotten about is that computers don't like extreme heat either.
This is something I know all about from last year, when a failing cooling fan in my PC caused all sorts of problems, including a series of crashes with ever-more-alarming warning messages. I didn't realise what was causing the problems at first, and tried a range of measures with little success.
It wasn't until I downloaded a free program called Motherboard Monitor which reports back on the state of a PC's CPU (central processing unit) that I discovered my computer's operating chip was reaching temperatures of up to 80 degrees Celsius. The standard operating temperature is around 50 degrees (preferably even lower).
When your CPU overheats, all sorts of bad things happen. Your computer becomes less stable, and programs crash more often and more seriously, potentially causing data to be lost. Modern computers are amazingly robust, but eventually an overheating CPU is likely to cause long-term, permanent damage. So here are a few tips for keeping your computer cool in the hot weather.
* Avoid putting your computer in direct sunlight.
* Don't put it on the floor, especially if carpeted. On a desk or table is better.
* Avoid piling papers or books on top of or against your PC. Likewise, avoid putting stickers over the ventilation grills, or cute furry toys up against them.
* Position the computer so that all ventilation grills are at least six inches from the wall.
* Keep dogs, cats and other hairy pets well away from the computer.
* Keep your computer in a clean, well-ventilated area.
* Consider downloading and installing the free Motherboard Monitor program. It's not the most user-friendly software I've ever seen - indeed, it could be described as geek-y - but it really is invaluable for checking your computer's internal temperature and getting early warning of any potential problems.
* Try to stop dust building up in your PC.
On the last point, if you don't fancy taking off your PC's case, you can still get some benefit by vacuuming through the vents (ensure the PC is switched off first, of course). However, most modern PCs are made for easy access. Mine has a side panel which can easily be removed just by means of a couple of clips.
If you can get into your PC, you really can do something about the inevitable dust build-up. A vacuum cleaner hose used very carefully should do the job, though professionals prefer to use specialist computer cleaners or compressed air sprays.
A bit of spring (or summer) cleaning really can make your computer more comfortable, in the hot weather especially. Even if you're not having problems at the moment, therefore, I strongly recommend doing everything you possibly can to keep your PC clean, cool and dust-free. Your computer will thank you for it!
There are lots of articles in newspapers and magazines about keeping cool in the hot weather, drinking plenty of fluids, and so on. However, one thing that can easily get forgotten about is that computers don't like extreme heat either.
This is something I know all about from last year, when a failing cooling fan in my PC caused all sorts of problems, including a series of crashes with ever-more-alarming warning messages. I didn't realise what was causing the problems at first, and tried a range of measures with little success.
It wasn't until I downloaded a free program called Motherboard Monitor which reports back on the state of a PC's CPU (central processing unit) that I discovered my computer's operating chip was reaching temperatures of up to 80 degrees Celsius. The standard operating temperature is around 50 degrees (preferably even lower).
When your CPU overheats, all sorts of bad things happen. Your computer becomes less stable, and programs crash more often and more seriously, potentially causing data to be lost. Modern computers are amazingly robust, but eventually an overheating CPU is likely to cause long-term, permanent damage. So here are a few tips for keeping your computer cool in the hot weather.
* Avoid putting your computer in direct sunlight.
* Don't put it on the floor, especially if carpeted. On a desk or table is better.
* Avoid piling papers or books on top of or against your PC. Likewise, avoid putting stickers over the ventilation grills, or cute furry toys up against them.
* Position the computer so that all ventilation grills are at least six inches from the wall.
* Keep dogs, cats and other hairy pets well away from the computer.
* Keep your computer in a clean, well-ventilated area.
* Consider downloading and installing the free Motherboard Monitor program. It's not the most user-friendly software I've ever seen - indeed, it could be described as geek-y - but it really is invaluable for checking your computer's internal temperature and getting early warning of any potential problems.
* Try to stop dust building up in your PC.
On the last point, if you don't fancy taking off your PC's case, you can still get some benefit by vacuuming through the vents (ensure the PC is switched off first, of course). However, most modern PCs are made for easy access. Mine has a side panel which can easily be removed just by means of a couple of clips.
If you can get into your PC, you really can do something about the inevitable dust build-up. A vacuum cleaner hose used very carefully should do the job, though professionals prefer to use specialist computer cleaners or compressed air sprays.
A bit of spring (or summer) cleaning really can make your computer more comfortable, in the hot weather especially. Even if you're not having problems at the moment, therefore, I strongly recommend doing everything you possibly can to keep your PC clean, cool and dust-free. Your computer will thank you for it!
Nick at 4:01 AM 
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