Technical
In the coming weeks we will endeavor to bring you various tech tips that may help you out. If you have any questions you would like answered, drop us an email at tech@jpaccomputers.com.au and we will answer your questions. If it's a good question and the answer is a fix then we will post the information here for others to use. At a later date we will be introducing a forum for those who have a hobby in computers and related topics.
Keep an eye out for changes here.
CPU Fans
We get called out at various times to clients who have computers which have for no reason stopped, locked up or rebooted. This can be caused by various problems depending on the infinite number of variables associated with computers but usually comes down to just a few.
The one that is mostly the cause is the CPU fan and heat sink. Most computers either sit on the floor or on the desk. Both are typically very dusty places. (I'm not having a go at anyone's house keeping here) Over a period of time depending on the location of the computer, the dust collects inside the case and because the cases are designed for airflow the dust goes through the fan and through the heat sink which usually has small fins as an extrusion. If these heat sinks get bogged up with dust particles and aren't cleared, the computer CPU overheats and eventually locks the computer up solid.
As you can see from the pictures, the airflow under the fan which sits on the heat sink is getting close to completely covered in dust. This will stop airflow to the heat sink causing the overheat condition. Its best if this happens to get a technician out to clean out he fan and heat sink and restore airflow before permanent damage takes place. This is a specialized job and should be done only by a technician who understands electrostatic conditions. There is a special heat transfer compound used on the mating surfaces of the heat sink and CPU which once broken needs to be cleaned off and reapplied.
If you think your computer may need servicing, give us a call on 08 6201 6385 or book a technician on line by clicking here!