overheating

By Aysë Stenabaugh

Like most things in life, computers don’t last forever. At Jester’s Computers, we see clients replace computers for a variety of reasons. Sometimes a replacement computer is the best option but often a repair or upgrade can be made to resolve issues that occur from normal use. Users will typically notice when there is an obvious problem such as error messages, unexpected shutdowns, or strange noises. Often users are unaware of hidden issues that can easily be resolved or addressed including heat and power.

Heat can often contribute to computer problems and even total failure. Over time the fans that are inside your machine which are designed to keep components inside the computer cool and operating at ideal temperatures can become dusty, dirty, and clogged. The buildup of dirt inside your device can pose a much bigger risk if left unaddressed. Sensitive components inside your machine will wear out quicker and can even experience premature failure if operating at too high of a temperature for a period of time. At Jester’s, we recommend yearly maintenance for your device which includes cleaning the inside of the machine to eliminate dust and improve the temperature in your machine. You should never use a vacuum cleaner to eliminate buildup inside of your electronic devices as doing so causes static electricity which can damage the components. We recommend keeping your system in a well-ventilated space. If your device is in an area that gets exceptionally dusty like a garage or basement, we suggest checking the inside of the device every 6 months to ensure that build-up hasn’t occurred.

Power is another potential cause of computer problems that may not be so obvious. First and foremost, you should always plug your laptop or desktop into a surge protector to prevent possible power surges from causing damage to your device if you experience a power spike. What many people don’t realize is that over time surge protectors wear out and are less and less effective. We recommend changing out the surge protector for your computers at least every 10 years. Because power supplies which deliver power to the components inside your machine are so sensitive, we suggest powering off computers during a storm or when you plan to be away from home for an extended period of time. You can even go so far as to unplug them (especially if you have no surge protector) to provide them with additional power protection in the event of a storm. If your computer is turned on when the power goes out it is possible that damage can be done to data or your operating system as well as hardware components so it is best to be proactive and shut your system down if you believe you may experience a power outage. It is useful to note that if you have a laptop, you can extend your battery’s life by unplugging your laptop when it is fully charged and plugging the device back in to charge when it drains down to about 60%. If you drain your battery down entirely without shutting your device off your system can experience issues because it did not shut down properly.

Cell phones are no exception to these rules. Charging your cell phone for an extended length can cause damage to the battery and can cause overheating of your device. Playing games or watching videos for long period can also cause overheating and damage to cell phones. Mostly, users will experience lagging and buggy issues until the device has had a chance to cool down.

Failure of technology devices can occur at any time. This is why we strongly recommend ensuring that any important data is backed up in two places as well as having yearly maintenance done for your computers. At Jester’s Computer Services we understand that technology can be frustrating which is why for over 24 years our small family-owned and operated business has strived to provide excellent service and support. We work with clients of all skill levels both in our shop located at 5135 Fairfield Road in Fairfield PA and in the local surrounding areas for one-on-one and in-home support. We can be found on the web on Facebook and at www.jesterscomputers.com. Our hours are Monday-Friday 9 AM until 5 pm. We can be reached via call or text at 717-642-6611 or through email at customerservice@jesterscomputers.com.