Two things that can really impede your Computer's performance are Voltage irregularities and heat.

 We will address Voltage issues in a future post.  However, the current heat wave makes a discussion of ways to beat the heat timely and important.Proper cooling is essential to the function of your PC.

 

ALWAYS make sure the fan that cools your Power Supply is running. The Power Supply is typically located on the back of your computer ( on a desktop model) near or at the top. When the computer is turned on you should feel a flow of air from the fan attached to this unit. If this fan is not running, turn the computer off IMMEDIATELY to avoid damage to your system and have it serviced by a qualified technician. Check the operation of this fan at least once a  month.

 

If you are sure your fan is running properly, make sure your computer has proper ventilation. Many people like to place their PC in a cabinet within a desk to keep it out of sight . This can cause the internal temperature of the PC to reach unhealthy levels if the fan is not getting enough air to properly cool the unit. If you put  the PC in a cabinet, either remove the back off this part of the cabinet, or place a small fan ( you can buy little ones at walmart for $6) behind the PC to move air over it. A little prevention can go a long way in avoiding Hardware failure.

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