The mortal enemies of a computer are heat, moisture, and you, the user. As users we determine the environment, both initial and ongoing. The ongoing environment is especially important in the case of laptops. There is almost no servicing that is appropriate, or even possible, for the average (or even above average) user. Laptop computers are so proprietary most computer service organizations refer owners to the manufacturer for any kind of hardware problem. Unfortunately laptops are also most in danger from the user. They are constantly being moved about and these conditions are where we are most likely to be less alert (careless). Repairing or replacing a laptop is expensive and you lose its services for a considerable period of time in either case. I can only suggest that, whether it is your nature or not, be ultra careful with your laptop computers.

I’m not foolish enough to think anyone is going to change established habits because of something I write (I can’t even seem to change my own) but keeping moisture away from your computer is a no-brainer, in any sense of the term. If you get moisture in your computer the odds are that the computer will be kaput. I’ve heard the stories of computers that have been dropped in the water, recovered, dried out and found to function perfectly. I don’t believe these stories for a moment. Only someone who walks on water would have such good fortune. That’s not me and, I suspect, not you. The only moisture you should ever bring even close to your computer is a slightly moist soft cloth to clean the display screen and other surfaces. Keep all other liquids away from your computer: No exceptions and no excuses and for sure, no sympathy if you fail to do so.

Overheating problems are another animal entirely. Again laptops are a special situation. They primarily use radiation cooling and normally run pretty hot. If you are having failures due to heat, you are most likely going to require professional servicing to correct it. On the other hand, you are less likely to have heating problems since laptops are engineered to handle heat. (The exception is heat transferred to you. That thing can get HOT sitting on your lap!)

In most desktop computers air is normally pulled in from the front of the case, passed over the motherboard, and then exhausted at the rear. The microprocessor (CPU) plugs directly into the motherboard (or is part of an assembly which plugs into it), includes a small fan that draws heat from the CPU heat sink and movers it into the exhaust airflow. A minimal fan system consists of the CPU fan and the fan that is an integral part of the power supply. Most computers will include at least one additional fan. In any event, if the computer configuration is not changed the fan arrangement is usually adequate unless something restricts, reduces, or stops the airflow. Normal causes are failure of a fan, dirt accumulation or relocation of the computer so that exhaust air cannot dissipate. The last is easy to correct. Just move the computer. As for the first two, remove the side of the case (on nearly all newer computers this is easily down without tools) determine which condition exists and correct it.

Now I realize that we haven’t gotten around to how to how to identify and correct heat related problems. When it became obvious that I was going to require two articles to cover the subject I decided to break the article at a point that kept the troubleshooting part separate. I felt that both were important but that most of you would be more interested in identifying and fixing an actual problem. I hope that you agree but in any case, what you read is what you get (writer’s privilege).

CAG