Hope you're/y'all are stayin' *COOL* out there now that the dog days of Summer are here.
But don't forget to keep your trusty hardware sidekicks.. the gadgets that these days, have become a pretty common extension of our lives/lifestyles.. *COOL* too!
Rather than writing a short novel-sized entry this time.. I'll just stick to some basic tips. Some you may already know.. some you may not. Some free and easy; some may cost a wee bit, relatively speakin'.. but well worth it for keepin' your computin' from overheatin' ... ;-)
1> Please give whatever computer gizmo you use (desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone) adequate ventilation. That is to say.. the *space* around said machine. In order to allow lots of airflow.
2> Also.. especially in the case of desktop computers.. if they are sitting on carpeted floor.. that's NG. The carpet acts as not only a static magnet, but a thermal insulator as well. One would be well advised to raise it off the carpet, using the shelf of a cheap computer desk, or some makeshift shelving device.. even a milk crate or two would work in the construction of same if you don't have spare change to just run out and buy a computer desk. Build your own computer desk; it could be an interesting undertaking. *You* get to design it any way you want. So, *nyah* big box stores! ;-)
3> For laptops.. there are heat sinking laptop devices that can be purchased online. Or, here again, for those in-home artisans out there.. you can build your *own* laptop/lap cooler. I would recommend getting a piece of say aluminum. Bend it to your liking, drill air holes in it.. but do not *paint* it.. at least where the laptop will be making contact with the metal.
And speaking of heat sinking metals.. for even *better* heat sinking/cooling than aluminum.. you could use copper! And yes, it does cost more.. but you can probably find some recycled copper somewhere.. and.. you will have the confidence in knowing that your *copper* heat sink/cooler is *SO* much more *fashionable* than those *tawdry* aluminum ones... ;-)
And speaking of heat sinking metals.. for even *better* heat sinking/cooling than aluminum.. you could use copper! And yes, it does cost more.. but you can probably find some recycled copper somewhere.. and.. you will have the confidence in knowing that your *copper* heat sink/cooler is *SO* much more *fashionable* than those *tawdry* aluminum ones... ;-)
4> When you are not using said machines.. for the short term.. put them in 'sleep' mode. For the long term.. shut them down completely.. that includes more than just doing the normal shutdown using software.. but also flipping the computer or surge protector switch to 'off' on desktops.. or unplugging the charger from the wall in the case of laptops, or shutting off the surge protector you may have it connected to as well.
5> For both desktops *and* laptops.. look for a relatively inexpensive location (usually online is best) for buying canned air. If anyone told me 55 years ago, that in the future we'd be buying water in bottles, and air in cans.. I would have thought they needed an escort to a loony bin. ;-) But I digress. So.. use the canned air for blowing out the fans inside your computer at least once every 3 months; once every 1 month if you are a regular computin' type.
For the *really adventurous* .. you could open up your computer and get better access to the fans for more *efficient* cleaning! For desktop owners.. if at least you remove one of the side panels.. you may find a *wonderland* of dust (also my idea for a computer theme park E ride) inside .. ;-) Of course you would be wise to blow the insides out too.. as well as the internal fans.
NOTE: for a more thorough/in-depth cleaning of fans in particular.. please refer to my blog entry from February of last year (2nd blog entry below this one).. "Mysterious* CRASH problems ..solved!" Even further back in the past.. in July of 2010.. there is another blog entry similar to this one for further reference on this topic.
For the *really adventurous* .. you could open up your computer and get better access to the fans for more *efficient* cleaning! For desktop owners.. if at least you remove one of the side panels.. you may find a *wonderland* of dust (also my idea for a computer theme park E ride) inside .. ;-) Of course you would be wise to blow the insides out too.. as well as the internal fans.
NOTE: for a more thorough/in-depth cleaning of fans in particular.. please refer to my blog entry from February of last year (2nd blog entry below this one).. "Mysterious* CRASH problems ..solved!" Even further back in the past.. in July of 2010.. there is another blog entry similar to this one for further reference on this topic.
6> For the tablet and smartphone computin' types.. keep it clean.. so as not to build up a layer of crud that acts as insulation and a cause for overheating. And it will look *so* much more shiny and *nifty* too! You may want to consider either putting holes in the case wherein you keep those tablets or phones, or buy or make a case with holes. Better ventilation!
One type of app that will help keep the smaller computin' types of this ilk cooler.. are battery savers. Because they reduce the amount of 'on' time, not only saving battery, but keeping it cooler simultaneously. Heat is a *battery killer* too. Some battery apps will stop tablets and smartphones from overheating by monitoring and preventing overcharging as well.
One type of app that will help keep the smaller computin' types of this ilk cooler.. are battery savers. Because they reduce the amount of 'on' time, not only saving battery, but keeping it cooler simultaneously. Heat is a *battery killer* too. Some battery apps will stop tablets and smartphones from overheating by monitoring and preventing overcharging as well.
7> Common sense.. don't keep any computin' device in the sunlight if you can help it. Unless of course you are using a solar charger for your device.. then, obviously, you would *need* the sun.. ;-) Keeping a device out of the sun is *especially* a concern when leaving it inside a locked car with the windows closed.
I've read some general articles on interior car temps.. saying it can reach about *140* degrees! Oy! You wouldn't submit your child, your animal, or yourself to that.. please don't do it to your computer gizmo.
And that includes the new smart *watches* as well. They may not melt.. but after enduring desert/tropical temperatures.. they may not work.
And that includes the new smart *watches* as well. They may not melt.. but after enduring desert/tropical temperatures.. they may not work.
So here's hopin' you and your computin' machine are *both* stayin' *COOL* out there!
And stay tuned! Next blog entry will feature *alternative* energy sources for charging your phones, tablets, laptops, and powering your desktops differently as well.
In the meantime.. this is your ol' cyber pal Ol' Doc CPU sayin'
Keep on rootin' tootin' Computin'!
;-)
