Are you experiencing having your computer intermittently hang-up, or may re-boot itself for no apparent reason.
This can be annoying, not to mention you have lost valuable work that you we in the process of creating.
If this has happened once, then your chances of explaining the cause are remote in the extreme.
If you find it happening regularly, then it is clearly in your interest to find and fix the problem.
There are a few things you can check for yourself and may save you a trip to the repair shop.
With most modern computers, the system comes with built in circuitry to monitor the state of the computer.
One of the checks built into your system is to test the operating temperature.
The computer may shut down if this moves outside the desirable operating range.
This may mean it is to hot or even to cold.
For your system to run at the correct operating temperature it is imperative that air circulates freely in and around the case.
Do you have the computer case installed inside an enclosure? This may be the first thing to consider changing.
Similarly, I have seen computers covered with books, manuals and paper documents.
These again can hinder air circulation, and these items should be removed.
Look at the slotted vents in the sides of the case.
These slots can become blocked by an accumulation of dust.
Your computer is usually always drawing some power, giving it a constant electrostatic charge.
A computer is second only to a vacuum cleaner when it comes to sucking in dust and lint.
Taking off the cover of the case will also show the dust and lint build-up inside the computer.
Be careful removing dust accumulations from internal components.
You can do this with a soft artist's brush or an aerosol can of compressed air.
Next, take look at the internal cooling fans.
Modern computer usually have a cooling fan perched on top of the processor.
This fan should be clear of dust, and running freely.
There should be no obvious scraping noises when the cooling fan is running.
It is OK to start the computer with the case cover removed.
Just be careful not to poke things into the various components.
There will also be a cooling fan inside or attached to the power supply.
This again should be free of dust and running freely.
Some computers may also have an additional case fan.
This will be screwed on over one of the slotted case vents.
Typically, it is running from a cable connected to the motherboard.
Not all machines have a separate case fan.
If it does, it is there for a reason.
Apply the same checks to this fan.
Have you identified any mechanical faults with your cooling fans? It may require a trip to your local repair shop.
The repair technician may also suggest that he remove the CPU heat sink so he can replace it with fresh heat transfer compound.
This is a straightforward job for an experienced technician.
This can be annoying, not to mention you have lost valuable work that you we in the process of creating.
If this has happened once, then your chances of explaining the cause are remote in the extreme.
If you find it happening regularly, then it is clearly in your interest to find and fix the problem.
There are a few things you can check for yourself and may save you a trip to the repair shop.
With most modern computers, the system comes with built in circuitry to monitor the state of the computer.
One of the checks built into your system is to test the operating temperature.
The computer may shut down if this moves outside the desirable operating range.
This may mean it is to hot or even to cold.
For your system to run at the correct operating temperature it is imperative that air circulates freely in and around the case.
Do you have the computer case installed inside an enclosure? This may be the first thing to consider changing.
Similarly, I have seen computers covered with books, manuals and paper documents.
These again can hinder air circulation, and these items should be removed.
Look at the slotted vents in the sides of the case.
These slots can become blocked by an accumulation of dust.
Your computer is usually always drawing some power, giving it a constant electrostatic charge.
A computer is second only to a vacuum cleaner when it comes to sucking in dust and lint.
Taking off the cover of the case will also show the dust and lint build-up inside the computer.
Be careful removing dust accumulations from internal components.
You can do this with a soft artist's brush or an aerosol can of compressed air.
Next, take look at the internal cooling fans.
Modern computer usually have a cooling fan perched on top of the processor.
This fan should be clear of dust, and running freely.
There should be no obvious scraping noises when the cooling fan is running.
It is OK to start the computer with the case cover removed.
Just be careful not to poke things into the various components.
There will also be a cooling fan inside or attached to the power supply.
This again should be free of dust and running freely.
Some computers may also have an additional case fan.
This will be screwed on over one of the slotted case vents.
Typically, it is running from a cable connected to the motherboard.
Not all machines have a separate case fan.
If it does, it is there for a reason.
Apply the same checks to this fan.
Have you identified any mechanical faults with your cooling fans? It may require a trip to your local repair shop.
The repair technician may also suggest that he remove the CPU heat sink so he can replace it with fresh heat transfer compound.
This is a straightforward job for an experienced technician.
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