What is the difference?

Here's a clue. They all have to pump things around but there's something missing from a PC that all the others have. What?

A filter?

Doh! Yes the answer is filters and I have a reason for my rather silly question, i.e. to get peoples attention, after all isn’t the reason for this website is to generate interest and conversation. So please read on.     

Despite having fans sucking and blowing air in and out of all the computers hot spots, there are no filters to stop the dust and fluff suffocating the poor thing. Over the last couple of months I’ve had to replace 3 power supplies in computers. This is the first time I experienced this level of failure and to be honest I didn’t believe it, so tested and rested each supply to be absolutely sure. As part of the replacement process I also clean out the inside of the PC; both physically of fluff & dust and then technically of files, registry entries and start-up processes etc.

So everyone, please consider the following. In order to keep cool and circulate air a computer has vents in the case. Most PCs have vents in the side panels but some have vents under the front cover right at the bottom. Please don’t block the vents! If you PC sits on the floor (especially carpet) raise it up a couple of inches on some blocks. If you have pets or the PC is in a bedroom try and place in on a surface well away from the floor and risk of fluff and hair. If there are vents in the side panels don’t squeeze the PC in between books and files etc. If you have a laptop the vent is probably on the bottom, so if you sit with the PC on your lap it’s very easy to block the vent completely.

The more fluff blocking the airways, the harder the fans have to work to keep the PC cool so more power is required. Simples!

Hi Again,

I think you’d be very surprised where people keep their computers these days. I often work under the stairs, conservatories, summerhouses, bedrooms, halls, landings, kitchens and even a posh garden shed, but very rarely the living room. Oh yes and sometimes an office.

Once again we have a possible survey here! Which room do you keep your computer in?

With regards how to raise a computer from the ground I didn’t want to be specific because I thought most people would be able to work it out for themselves. An obvious choice of course is all those computer help books that litter the bookshelves.