I had another desktop in my office fail this summer. I’m not sure it’s down for the count, since the RAM and hard drive both test out fine, yet it randomly reboots. Since it is just one of four desktops I use with a keyboard/video switch, it isn’t totally critical, so I moved the two printers attached to it onto another computer, moved QuickBooks onto yet another and will come back to it when I have more time.
I suspect the problem might be something thermal since the problems are more pronounced later in the day when it is hotter.
That got me thinking. Most of my computer failures have occurred in June or July when the temperature rises in Colorado. Even if the failure was something like a hard drive that bit the dust, I have to believe heat was a major factor.
So I opened the cases of all four desktops and used compressed air to blow the dust out. And there was quite a bit of dust to clean out. I also noticed one of the fans had stopped spinning, which I see frequently.
The dust tends to collect in the fans. As they spin, static builds up which attracts dust. The problem is as the dust collects in the fan, it can cause them to seize or burn out.
I use a small program called SpeedFan (http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php) to monitor the temperature of my notebooks, which tend to run hotter than I’d like, but I just installed it on all of my desktops. It also monitors the hard drive’s S.M.A.R.T. system, alerting you if your drive is showing the early signs of failure.
Most CPU’s have maximum operating temperatures of 60 ºC to 75 ºC. Even if your computer isn’t running at its maximum temperature, the hotter it runs, the shorter the lifetime of the computer. An overheated component in a computer may be the cause of those intermittent lockups. Some systems will slow down the processor if it starts overheating.
I have to admit I haven’t gotten into a routine for cleaning my computers. Now that I realize how important it is, I’ve set a reminder in Outlook that will remind me the first Monday of every other month to clean out the computers.
I’ve got backup programs running on every computer. They are automated, so I know they are doing their job even when I forget. I wish I could have an automated computer cleaner.
The big question for you is Have you cleaned your computer recently? Keeping it clean so it stays cool will help keep it running at its best. And mark your calendar to clean it at least once a quarter.
