You have to know the different parts of your computer particulaly the computer hardware. Rarely do you find a home with no computer nowadays. Some people call it the computer age and it is true because computers have already become a very important part of our lives such that we can no longer do away with computers. We bring these gadgets wherever we are. You can see people, adult and young people alike, bringing their notebooks in restaurants and cafeterias. They are taking advantage of the WiFi zone. Children cannot study without computers because all the data that they need are stored in the World Wide Web. It is always easy to browse through the internet. Just type the data that you want in the search bar and click enter. All the relevant information regarding that topic will immediately pop out on your screen. There is no need to go to the library and read all the thick books piled on the cabinet. All the data you need can be accessed through the computer.

There are different types of computer, from the desktop and laptop to the mini notebook that most people always carry with them. If you are a writer, you will definitely treat your personal computer as your partner. You need the computer in your daily activities. You simply cannot live without it because all your articles and files are stored in the computer. There is no need for you to bring thick notes anymore. This generation is indeed very lucky to have such a powerful technology. That is the reason why you should take good care of your computer hardware. There are two major components of the computer which are the hardware and the software. The hardware is everything that you see on the outside, we have the keyboard, screen or what others call monitor, mouse, speaker and the system unit or the tower. You might be wondering why do need to know all these components. The answer is quite simple and that is so you will know how to take good care of your computer.

Most cases of hardware failure are due to lack of proper maintenance. You cannot ignore the fact that your computer needs to be cleaned also especially if you bring it outside your home. Dust particles can easily accumulate. The time will come when you might be wondering why your computer does not turn on and you will later find out through the technician that dust has already made its way through the small holes and that is what’s causing the problem. It is very important that you have a small soft brush so you could clean the unit every now and then. It is even advisable to clean it after using. Take good care of your computer because if it will be destroyed, the repairs will not only cost you lots of dollars, you will also lose relevant time that should have been used in working. The worst thing that could happen if you continue to ignore computer maintenance is that the unit might be totally destroyed and you have to purchase a new computer.

source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Computer-Hardware&id=6005669

If your computer monitor is blank, you need to determine if the problem is the monitor or the PC. But it can also be caused by bad power and video cables, or even a bad power source. So if your monitor is blank, these steps should help you determine isolate the problem. Keep in mind there are a lot of factors that can contribute to a blank monitor, such as a bad video card, motherboard or power supply in the PC. On the monitor side, you could have issues with its power supply, cables or the LCD backlight itself.

Troubleshooting Computer Monitors

The first thing you should determine is if the monitor is a CRT or a flat panel. CRTs are older and prone to fail with buzzing sounds, such as a TV would. Flat panels can have a backlight go, which means it needs to be replaced. You should check to make sure the monitor is getting power, then play with the buttons on the front to confirm the brightness is turned all the way up. If you still see nothing, disconnect the video cable from the computer and see if a monitor disgnostic image comes up on the screen. Most newer monitors will display this image when there is no power to the monitor. It is a way to easily tell users that the monitor is okay but that there is no signal coming from the PC. If you recall seeing this diagnostic in the past but it does not show now the monitor is probably bad. Try it on another PC if you can to confirm.

You should also go directly into an outlet and by-pass any power strips you might be using. Plugging into an electrical outlet you know works can help narrow your power issues. You should also check any external power supply the monitor might have. Depending on the model, some have the power supply located in the cable, just as a laptop would. If this is the case, there should be a light on the power supply indicating it is OK. If you have a standard power plug, try replacing that with another.

Troubleshooting The Computer

If you have determined the problem is with the computer, you should make sure all connections are secure. Remove both ends of the VGA cable and inspect the entire cable for damage. Confirm the pins are not bent and then reconnect the cable. If the computer has a second video input, try the second one. Occasionally, a computer will have an on-board graphics adapter as well as a card that was later added by the user. Try going back to the original and see if this helps. If so, you may need to tell the BIOS which output to use. If the monitor comes on when the PC first boots but then shuts off when Windows loads, you probably have a bad video driver. Try tapping the F8 key at boot to get into Safe Mode. From here, you can download a new graphics driver from the manufacturer or roll-back the old driver from within the Device Manager. If the monitor is blank from the instant you turn on the computer, you have a computer hardware problem that could be the graphics card, motherboard or even the power supply.

source: http://www.pctechbytes.com/troubleshooting/computer-monitor-is-blank

Most people use a laptop almost every day now. They have become so affordable that most people have a few around the house or one for their school work while away at college. For the most part, things are fine with your laptop. One problem that does occur is that the heat from the bottom of the laptop has hurt people. Find out what type of damage your laptop can cause you and what you can do to prevent it.

Your laptop’s heat can end up leaving you hurt. Some people have been burned on their thighs where they have worked on their laptop. Sometimes it burns the clothing into the skin and becomes a severe medical emergency. At other times people have been mildly burned over time when working with a laptop on their lap. These burns are seen after many months of use changing the color of the skin. Both of these types of burns are dangerous, What can you do to prevent it?

Never use your laptop in your lap. There is too much heat especially from the high powered laptops of today. Buy a cooling pad that you can use to protect yourself from the heat. The cooling pad does two things. First it will provide your legs with a cool and safe surface away from the laptop. Secondly, it has fans in it that will lower the temperature of the laptop inside and out.

Get a can of compressed air and dust out the vents in your laptop. These vents get plugged full of dust making it harder for the system to stay cool. Spray this air in the laptop when off from time to time and get rid of that dust helping your system stay cooler.

Add more RAM to your computer. This will help take some of the load off the CPU. You will not only have more speed but your computer will also produce a little less heat.

Monitor the core temperature of your computer while you are using it. There are many free CPU temperature tools. When you realize that it’s getting too hot, shut the computer off or move to a table where it will be safer to use.

source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Important-Laptop-Heat-Warning—How-Heat-Can-Hurt-You-And-What-To-Do&id=5201067

Computers that shut down randomly will be suffering from one of several possible problems. In order to fix this issue, it’s essential that you’re able to fix the problems that cause your Windows computer to shut down, and having used PCs for many years, we’ve found a very simple way to combat this problem for good.

The first and most probable cause of your computer’s random shutdown problem is from overheating. When computers run, they generate a lot of heat, which is why they have all sorts of fans inside. However, if your computer is not cooled enough, it can act in very strange ways, including shutting down randomly. If your system gets too hot, then it will just close down in an attempt to cool off.

Fixing the problem of overheating is actually very simple. If you have a laptop, make sure that it’s not hot underneath. If it is hot, then you should put it onto a desk or flat surface and allow the fans underneath to work. It’s often the case that people will smother the fans on their laps, causing laptops to overheat and shut down. If you have a desktop, simply take the side off the case and then get a desk fan and let it blow onto the inner-workings of your system. This will cool it down enough to let you see if the overheating problem is actually what’s causing your PC’s problems.

The other big cause of this problem is actually to do with Windows itself. Windows often shuts down your PC randomly if the settings that it needs to run are unavailable. The problem is that whenever you use Windows, it’s constantly reading 100′s of settings from the “registry database”, and if any of those settings are damaged or corrupted, Windows gets highly confused and can cause your PC to shut down.

The registry database is a central storage system for the files and settings of your PC. Basically, whenever Windows is being used, it needs to recall a large number of files and settings that make your computer run smoothly and effectively. The registry has been a central part of Windows since Windows ’98, but it’s one of the major reasons why computers will just shut down randomly. To fix this problem, you should look at using a “registry cleaner” to scan through the registry and fix any of the damaged settings or files that are inside it. Registry cleaners are software programs which scan through your system and allow it to quickly find and fix any number of issues inside your system. These programs are software tools and are very easy to use – you just need to download one from the Internet, install it and let it fix any of the issues on your PC. It will remove all the problems it finds and should make Windows run a lot more reliably again.

source: http://ezinearticles.com/?My-Computer-Keeps-Shutting-Down-Randomly&id=4210567

Portable computers are made for traveling and computing at the same time, and are thus incredibly valuable for their weight. We’re talking ‘carton of cigarettes’ dollars-to-weight ratio here. Consequently, laptop’s make a tempting target for thieves and have been known to go AWOL with distressing frequency when compared to less expensive things like your baggage full of Hawaiian shirts.

Having a laptop stolen is a double-dose of bad news, since not only are you confronted with the fact that your (at least) $1500 portable PC is now gone, perhaps forever, but you also have to deal with the possibility of data theft. It’s sort of like losing a wallet, but a wallet cannot hold gigabytes of potentially valuable or personal data. Credit data, email records, license keys, personal documents, all at the fingertips of the kind of person who was willing to steal your laptop in the first place. For business travelers, this is especially bad news.

In this article, we will look at methods to reduce the risk. First, We will cover physical security methods that can help prevent laptop theft in the first place, then we will go step-by-step through some essential data securing techniques that can drastically reduce the chance of your data being stolen along with your laptop if the worst does happen.

Physical security: Lockdown your laptop

There are several physical methods you can use to secure your mobile device, ranging from chains and alarms to ID programs which clearly identify the computer as belonging to you. Let’s look at a few options.

Chains and alarms

Several companies, such as Targus and Kensington, manufacture devices that physically secure your laptop by locking it to a surface, sort of like a bicycle lock. Of course, these products also share the same disadvantage that bike locks do, in that a prepared thief can circumvent them rather easily.

These locks, often called Kensington locks, will discourage casual theft especially in the office environment. Companies that have large amounts of employees using laptops would do well to invest in these. Motion sensing locking devices are also available, and these add an extra layer of security by setting off a loud alarm if the cable is tampered with.

These products connect to laptops through special security ports built into the machine itself. All recent laptops should come with some sort of port for these devices, though some companies (notably Kensington) require a special branded port for their devices. Check your laptop’s configuration before purchasing one of these locking devices.

Biometric security

Biometrics is the methodology for recognizing or identifying persons based on physiological or behavioral characteristics. Essentially all security features are based on a combination of three key concepts; security can be based on something you have, something you know or something you are.

While tokens or passwords can cracked or stolen, biometric identifiers are much more difficult to reproduce. It is the task of biometric systems to apply a mathematical algorithm to the identifier (retina, or fingerprint for example) to determine if a user is a who they are pretending to be.

Some PC manufacturers now offer laptops with built in capacitive biometric fingerprint identifications systems. These authenticate users based on the similarity of their fingerprint to that of a stored fingerprint created when the software is first run.

Add-on biometric devices are also available for securing laptops that do not come equipped with these devices as stock. Use of Biometric devices can make it harder for thieves to access data on a stolen laptop, especially as many of the built-in solutions operate independently of whatever operating system you may be using; meaning the failure of correct biometric identification of the user will prevent the laptop from booting at all.

Biometric devices have a few disadvantages however. First and foremost, they are not foolproof by any means. Although most devices err on the side of caution to reduce security risks, this still can make them rather frustrating to use. Secondly, if your laptop did not come with a biometric security device built in, you will have to purchase a third-party add on that connects through the USB or PC card ports. While not generally that expensive, these must function with the operating system, and thus can be easily bypassed. They are very useful for securing data when combined with encryption software however.

Current biometric devices must be viewed as more of a password enhancement than an additional layer of security for your laptop. While built-in fingerprint identifying devices in laptops can have a security benefit, third-party devices give little benefit over simply using secure passwords and encryption to protect your property.

Manufacturers of third party biometric security systems include:

Targus ( WWW.targus.com)
DigitalPersona (http://www.digitalpersona.com/)

Laptop identification programs

If your laptop is stolen, having the foresight to register the device with the manufacturer beforehand can give you a much better chance of eventually getting it back. If you have registered your laptop, when you report it as stolen, many manufacturers will track the serial number of the device. If the laptop is subsequently brought in for repairs, a record will exist. For obvious reasons, it pays to note the serial number of your laptop down, even if you do not register it.

You can also equip your laptop with an identification tag which provides proof of ownership and acts as a deterrent to theft. The most popular of these is the STOP program. While more geared towards businesses, these programs can still help home users.

Personalize your laptop

Along the same lines as the above ID methods, personalizing your laptop can make it much more likely for you to get it back in the event of theft. Though it may pain you to do it, placing your name or other information somewhere on your laptop is a good idea. By engraving identification information into the device itself, you provide yourself with some very tangible descriptive information which you can provide to police.

Laptop tracing software

To provide an even better chance of having your laptop returned, you can purchase a laptop tracing software package. Most products of this nature work by periodically and stealthily sending out signals to an Internet server run by the manufacturer. When your laptop is stolen, report the theft to the maker of the software. If the new owner connects to the Internet, the company will know, and they will provide tracking information to the police.

Some tracking software provides further options, such as the ability to delete selected data once the laptop has been reported as stolen. Most of these software packages are difficult to detect and remove, and some claim to be able to survive re-partitioning and reformatting of the hard drive. Of course, if the hard drive is removed, so is the tracing software.

Most of these services work on a yearly subscription basis, due to the fact that the service is more essential than the software.

Popular tracking software packages include:

ZTrace ( http://www.ztrace.com/zTraceGold.asp)
Computrace ( http://www.computrace.com/public/products/computraceplus/default.asp)
Cyberangel ( http://www.sentryinc.com/ca-track.html)

Common sense and the Pizza Box

Don’t leave your laptop alone. Not in your car, not in your trunk, not in your hotel room, not anywhere while traveling. Record the serial number, along with any other identifying marks or characteristics that you can provide to police. Use a plain carrying case or backpack whenever possible, as this will dramatically reduce the risk of theft. If you travel with an ultra subnotebook, try putting it in a 8.5″ x 11″ envelope – to distant eyes it will just look like a bundle of paper.

If you’re in the habit of leaving your brand new and exceptionally shiny Titanium frame notebook around the house when you aren’t there, keep in mind that a potential thief sneaking a peek through the windows may be more inspired to break in if they see a notebook sitting out in plain view on the coffee table. While you may have paid over $2300 for that notebook, the thief will be quite happy selling it for a measly $500…. talk about adding insult to injury!

For those of you who insist on leaving your notebooks on coffee tables or out in the open anyway, there is one trick which can give your notebook a bit of stealthy protection. I can’t claim originality on the Pizza Box laptop case, but since I can’t remember where I first saw this you’ll have to improvise, and all it will cost you is a medium pizza from the local delivery guy. It’s best to order the least grease-ladden pizza you can, because once you finish your lunch you’ll be using that box for another purpose.

All you need to do once the food’s gone is clean out the crumbs, bits of pepperoni, and whatever else remains. If there are odd grease spots here and there you can get away with gluing down a piece of cardboard to line the inside of the Pizza Box. If things are messy perhaps it’s better to order the Veggie deluxe and try again. When the Pizza Box is all cleaned out, just make sure your notebook will fit inside. If it doesn’t, order a larger pizza and repeat the above steps.

The basic idea behind the Pizza Box laptop case, if you haven’t already guessed it, is to store your fancy notebook in the Pizza Box when you’re not around. This way, you can leave your notebook out on the coffee table, or pretty much anywhere in your house and no one will be the wiser that your uber expensive notebook lies inside. Sure you may look like a bit of a slob for having that same Pizza Box on your coffee table for 6 months, but then again, if people are noticing that they certainly aren’t noticing your notebook inside are they?

Protecting your data in the event of theft

Now that we’ve looked at some of the methods of recovering a stolen laptop and preventing said laptop from going walkies in the first place, let’s turn our attention to some preventative measures you can take to stop your data from being compromised if the worst does happen.

STEP 1: BIOS password protection

Most modern computers can be password protected by setting a password in the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) built into the motherboard of the computer. This is a group of settings that govern how the computer manages its hardware, regardless of what operating system it may be using. Changes made to the BIOS are stored in a small area of built-in memory called the CMOS, which is powered by a battery also built into the motherboard.

Now on desktop computers, password protecting the BIOS borders on the completely futile as a security measure. Any intruder can simply open up the case and use a jumper to reset the CMOS, or even just yank out the battery powering it for a few minutes to make sure it (along with the password) is wiped. It’s a different story with a laptop however.

Laptop computers are built on proprietary designs, using motherboards created specifically for each model. It is often not possible to get at the CMOS battery of a laptop without special tools and know-how, or at least not without destroying the machine in the process. Generally speaking, if you want to reset the BIOS password on a laptop, you will need to ship it back to the manufacturer, something your average thief is going to be understandably reluctant to do.

This makes BIOS password protection a rather good option for users who are concerned about the possibility of data theft, as a BIOS password makes it impossible to boot into any operating system until it is answered. It’s not foolproof, as many manufacturers have built ‘backdoor’ keystroke combinations into their systems which can bypass even BIOS passwords, but it’s a great start.

To set the BIOS password, press the DEL key several times immediately after the POST screen comes up (some manufacturers use a different key stroke, but this should be indicated on your screen during boot-up, or in the manual) to enter the BIOS setup. You are looking for ‘set password’ or something similar. Set it (write it down so you don’t forget it) and save and exit. The next time you boot, you will be prompted for a password after POST.

Make sure you keep a record of the password – but not in your laptop bag please!

STEP 2: Set Really Good user passwords

This speaks for itself. After stealing your laptop, the intruder has all the time he or she can afford in which to crack the password for your administrator account and get full access to your data. Chances are, at some point they will use the SAM and SYSTEM file password hash extraction method (again, as covered in our password recovery article) in combination with some sort of password cracking software to discover your password.

Let’s look at what might happen… Say your password was ‘rover;’ It would take them about 5 minutes or less to crack using a fast computer. Say it’s ‘rover35′ add another 10 minutes maybe… But what if your password was (r0V3r35) You’ve just extended the time it will take them to crack your password to several hours, perhaps days.

Password Tips and Encrypt Vital Data

The more numbers, uppercase letters, symbols and digits in your password, the harder it is to discover. Microsoft themselves recommend using no less than 6-digit passwords with at least three of the following: lower case, uppercase, numbers and special characters. Make sure ALL enabled user accounts have been assigned passwords.

It’s a pain to have to memorize complicated passwords, but if you use the laptop primarily for traveling, simply jot the password down and carry it somewhere on your person (not in the laptop bag).

While you are at it, changing the ‘administrator’ account to an alternate name is also a good measure to make it harder to break in. Everyone knows that Windows XP uses an administrator account, and that it cannot be disabled, so it is the prime target for data thieves. By renaming it ‘Bob’ or something stranger still, you can add some time and frustration to your thief’s life. To do this:

Log into windows using an account that has administrative privileges (any user created during install process or the administrator account itself)

Right click on ‘my computer’ and select ‘manage.’

From the computer management window, Expand ‘local users and groups’ then open the ‘users’ folder and highlight the ‘administrator’ account. Right click and select ‘rename’ to change it.

STEP 3: Encrypt vital data

Again, if you’ve read our recent article on password recovery you’ll have realized that it is not really necessary for an intruder with physical access to the computer to actually hack the passwords of your user accounts in order to get at your data. There are a slew of utilities out there that will happily boot your computer into an alternate OS like Linux and then reset your user passwords. It is also quite simple to grab a portable operating system that boots itself from CD (such as Knoppix), or a DOS boot disk with an NTFS reader on it and then copy the information straight off your laptop’s drive. For that matter, laptop hard disks are generally easy to remove anyway.

An intruder could purchase an adaptor or a USB case and hook your laptop’s hard drive up to his or her own system and siphon off your files. So what use are Windows user passwords? Well, plenty of use when you combine them with proper encryption…

Windows XP Professional, like Win 2000 before it, features built in strong file encryption based on the identity of the user. When you use the Encrypting File System (EFS), a file is encrypted with an algorithm derived from the unique SID (System Identifier) number generated for each user account. Once the file is encrypted, it cannot be decrypted except by the original user (and anyone he chooses to grant access to the file). This means that any other user account will not be able to view the file, period.

The encryption is permanent and remains on the file even when Windows is not running. It doesn’t matter if a new account with the exact same name and password is created, only the original account with the original SID number can decrypt and read the file.

The benefits of using file encryption are obvious. The only feasible way to break it without a supercomputer is to bypass it by gaining access to the user account that did the encrypting. If you set strong passwords, as above, this is very tough to do. None of the conventional methods of getting at secured data will work on encrypted files.

Of course, encryption carries its own set of dangers. If the original user account is destroyed due to a system failure or user error, you too will lose all access to the encrypted data. It is possible (and highly recommended) to create a ‘recovery agent’ which provides a secondary account with the ability to recover the data. This can be created as a digital certificate which can be exported to a floppy disk, then applied to a user account when needed.

Step 4: Do not leave unique data on your laptop

It might seem like common sense, but it’s a good thing to keep in mind, believe me. If you are using your laptop for business, everything important should be backed up before you leave home. Likewise, when creating documents while traveling, burn them to CD or copy them to floppy as soon as possible, then carry that disk in separate luggage.

The bottom line is this, any time you travel with your notebook, whether it’s an international flight or just the commuter train to work, your notebook may never return. If the thought of s loosing your laptop is akin to losing your first born, it’s time to back up that data. After all, there is no better feeling than being able to write off a notebook which has just been whisked away in the back seat of a cab, dropped in a pool, or swiped from your four star hotel room and not have to worry about the sensitive data on it.

If you follow even some of the above suggestions, your laptop will be much more likely to stay with you for at least the duration of its warranty. Back up your data, use the security measures provided, and hopefully if your notebook gets lost or stolen your data will be safe at hand.

source: http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1508&page=1

One of the greatest dangers to your PC is something we all take for granted – Heat! Your office space may be cool enough for you, but is it for your PC?

Desktop PCs and Notebook PCs generate heat that can be damaging to its components. Not just damaging, but heat can actually reduce the performance of your PC – slowing down processing, and causing intermittent errors that can affect your stored data.

Whether you’ve just bought your Desktop or Notebook, or you’re a long-time owner, here are some tips that will help lengthen the life of your precious personal computer.

Read The Manual!

The manufacturer of your PC understands the issues that can affect your PC. They have gone through the testing to understand how and when your PC can fail. That’s why, it’s important to review the owner’s manual, and follow the manufacturer’s suggestions on how to use, and maintain your computer. Pay special attention to any discussion of cooling, and the placement of the computer.

The Heat Is On

The truth of the matter is, anything that consumes energy generates heat. The power supply, the processor, the graphics card, the hard drives, and all the other components of the computer that require power for it to function generate heat. The amount of heat depends on the device – for example processors and video cards generate HUGE amounts of heat. You have probably noticed at one time or another, the big finned heat-sinks (cooling devices) on some of the components inside your computer. These are there to help preserve the useful life of these devices.

It is true that all personal computers, whether they are Desktop PCs or Notebook PCs, come with a cooling system. However, the standard cooling system that comes with your PC may not ultimately be adequate for the PC you now have. Plus, to work efficiently in protecting your PC from overheating and possible damage, several things have to be considered.

Air Flow

PCs are generally air cooled. This means they need lots of air flowing inside them to carry the heat out of their chassis. To keep the internal airflow at maximum there are a few things to watch out for in your desktop computer:

* Keep Cables Neat – the cables inside your computer can become a block to proper airflow, so be sure they are organized so that they do not restrict airflow.

* Dust – accumulating dust inside your PC can be deadly. It acts to insulate the devices it covers, keeping heat in, plus dust clogged fans and vents restrict the amount of airflow possible. Keep your PC blown out and dusted regularly.

* Fans – periodically check your PC’s fans to make sure they are working effectively. Fans can fail, resulting in significant reductions in airflow – in some systems a single fan failure can be enough to damage your PC.

* Covers On Tight – your PC’s chassis was designed for proper internal airflow across the various components. However, if your PC’s enclosure is open, this then dramatically changes the cooling dynamic. It can reduce or eliminate cooling of some components altogether, so make sure the case’s cover in on tight.

Upgrades

Have you added new hardware to your PC? A new motherboard, video card, or hard drive? Did you upgrade the cooling at the same time? I bet you did not!

This is the perfect time to look at a cooling or power supply upgrade! The typical PC relies heavily on its power supply’s fans for cooling. Also, most original equipment power supplies don’t have much margin for additional upgrades, so your power supply may be working at or near 100% capacity. Therefore, the answer is to upgrade the power supply with a model that will not only meet your power needs, but also include more robust cooling. A power supply replacement is generally easy to perform, and can extend you PC’s life (especially since old power supplies are generally what kill most PCs).

PC Placement

We previously mentioned airflow inside the PC, but airflow around the outside is just as important. Blocking the exhaust or intakes can reduce the internal airflow substantially.

Set up your personal computer away from other equipment or appliances that generate heat. Keep your personal computer away from direct sunlight, and make sure that your PC is placed in a well-ventilated area. Placing Desktop PCs and their monitors flat against walls or in enclosed areas should be avoided – leave at least 6 inches of space between the back of the PC and the wall.

Desktop PCs have ventilation fans at the rear of the unit, and depending on its design, may even have ventilation fans on its sides, top, or at the front of the unit. Make sure that these ventilation fans are not blocked in anyway as to constrict the airflow that is needed to cool the internal components.

Some people place their Desktop PCs on the floor. While this may save your desk space, having your PC on the floor also makes it more susceptible to dust (and animal hair if you have pets in the house). It is safer to keep your PC off of the floor to minimize foreign matter from entering the computer case. Avoid placing the Desktop PC near drapes as they may end up blocking the ventilation of the computer case as well.

Notebook PCs should not be placed on soft surfaces, such as a bed, couch, or on top of a pillow which can allow the PC to sink into the soft material blocking the ventilation holes needed to circulate air through the computer. Using your Notebook PC on a hard level surface, such as a table is probably the best way to keep your notebook working within its optimal temperature range.

Maintenance

Always make sure to keep your personal computer clean. Cleaning the exterior is not enough. Make sure you know where all the ventilation intake and exhaust openings are, and make sure that these are not obstructed by objects, dust, dirt, foreign matter, or by any of your personal computer’s components. If you own a Desktop PC, it would be a good idea to clean the inside of the personal computer at least twice a year. Accumulated dust and lint can clog heat sinks and fans found inside the personal computer. This will result in a drop in cooling efficiency which can lead to the personal computer’s components overheating and eventually failing. Heat sinks only work if they are kept clean and are in direct contact with moving air to transfer heat from the heat sink fins to the cooler air around it. You can clean them off using a vacuum cleaner, a blower brush, or a can of compressed air. As a rule, you can use the vacuum on the outside of the PC, and compressed air inside – to minimize the chance of accidental damage to your PC.

If you have a Notebook PC, it would be a good idea to send it in for regular maintenance. A competent computer technician can open up your Notebook PC and make sure that the internal components are kept free of dust and that its fans or heat sinks are clean and functioning to ensure proper air flow, and cooling efficiency. But at a minimum, use compressed air to keep openings clear of dust. Another tip for notebook owners is to buy a supplemental cooling pad – these contain larger cooling fans that blow upward to help keep your laptop cool.

Doing Something About It

Keeping a cool PC isn’t luck, it’s maintenance to be sure, but it is also being proactive, and that means improving the cooling performance of your system. Some manufacturers do a great job designing their systems for thermal efficiency, but other may cut corners on critical cooling components. The good news is that you can improve your PC’s cooling performance very easily.

Heat Sinks

In planning for a cool system, Heat Sinks are the first line of defense. They come in all shapes and sizes, and serve many different components.

* CPU Coolers – CPUs dies quickly without a heat sink, but the quality and efficiency of the heat sink can have a big impact on performance and system life. Upgrading your CPU cooler is a real life-saver.

* RAM Memory Coolers – often overlooked, your RAM memory also produces its share of the heat load of your PC, and cool running RAM can also play a role in maintaining the highest level of performance. Few systems come with efficient RAM coolers, yet they are inexpensive and easy to install.

Augmented Cooling

In addition to the regular air cooled components and PC chassis’ ventilation fans, there are other options available. Such options include:

* Slot/Bus Card Coolers – these are fan arrays that pug in and are powers off of the PCI bus connector.

* Video Card Coolers – supplemental coolers for your video card can improve performance, reduce system internal hot spots, and extend video card life.

* Thermal Electric Component Coolers – these are basically heat sinks coupled with fans for more efficient cooling.

* Liquid cooled internal radiators – these use liquid to conduct the heat away from the component to an internal fan driven radiator.

* Liquid cooled external radiators – these use liquid to conduct the heat away from the component to an external fan driven radiator.

Other things to consider

Desktop PCs

When purchasing a new PC, some advanced planning can save you the trouble of dealing with an overheating PC. Choose a Desktop PC case which is large enough to easily accept all the components you wish to install, and still have strong airflow. A good case with enough breathing room will help deal with cooling issues well into the future. However, if you are building a system, buy a case with extra ventilation to be on the safe side.

If you are installing multiple hard drives, do not stack them one on top of the other (if possible). Skip a drive bay to allow air to flow between the hard drives. Keep your cables tidy. Tucking them to the side opens up the airways and lessens air turbulence inside the Desktop PC case increasing airflow. Likewise, choose a good power supply unit equipped with a large fans to efficiently extract the hot air from the Desktop PC case.

Make sure the CPU cooling system is adequate and be sure that the CPU heat sink is installed per the manufacturer’s requirements. The same for your video card – be sure it also has adequate cooling, since the CPU and video card tend to be the devices that produce the most heat.

Notebook PCs

Notebooks that feature AMD processors tend to run hotter than Intel processors. So if you have an AMD processor notebook, pay special attention to the cooling of your computer.

If you have a Notebook PC and you use it hours on end, a good purchase will be a Notebook PC cooling pad which is equipped with fans to cool the underside of your Notebook PC by ensuring adequate airflow across the ventilation openings. Notebook cooling pads operate very quietly, but they are available in less efficient silent fanless design as well.

Summary

Follow these tips and your Desktop PC or Notebook PC will give you many years of reliable service. For high performance systems, you might want to consider upgrading your PCs cooling system to the latest liquid-cooled or noiseless systems. You can also boost the cooling efficiency of your current system by adding cooling devices that focus on the individual components in a Desktop PC system such as CPU fans and heat sinks, Chipset fans and heat sinks, hard drive coolers, graphic card coolers, and case fans.

source: http://static.tigerdirect.com/html/guide_Basic_PC_Cooling.html