Reviews - The Disc Shop

Keeping Your PC Cool

Tech

Over summer, many people suffer the same issue... keeping their system cool. But this isn't just a seasonal problem... can your computer system cope with heating problems?

This can be throughout the year when you upgrade hardware by adding a new video card or even an extra hard drive.

Can your computer system cope with the new hardware in terms of cooling?

A majority of computer cases are only shipped with one or two cooling fans. If you're a serious gamer, a multimedia wiz, or a network administrator and need the uptime of their system, it's a wise idea to invest in optional cooling needs. Lately the accessories on the market have doubled in a short period of time, so you're certainly not limited to just one choice of cooling product.

Cooling products range from CPU and chipset cooling for mainboards, air-conditioning connections to your house-hold installation, or thermal cooling by means of pressurized water being pumped through the system and graphic card heat-sink fans.

Depending on what your system consists of, most people will only need one input and one output fan to vent the air outside the case, thus allowing for better performance of the computer. For reliability, performance and longetivity, a cool system is better than a hot one.

So check out the latest cooling products at your local Disc Shop store today, or check them out online.

Did you know...

Did you know... that the number one cause of computer problems is software?

How many times have you been using your computer when all of a sudden it crashes, reboots or gives you the dreaded 'Blue Screen of Death'? You would be surprised at how many common computer problems are related to some kind of software issue. Corrupted drivers or system files, viruses, spyware or even just incorrectly configured software can easily make your system unstable and increase the chances of a crash.

So how do I know if my software is causing my computer to crash? This comes down to a simple process of elimination, you should start by making sure that your system is free of viruses and spyware. Scan your entire system for viruses to make sure that there aren't any hidden nasties playing havoc with your system and then check for spyware. You will probably need different software to scan for spyware, there are many freely available tools for finding and removing spyware, a quick web search will easily locate an appropriate package for you.

I don't have any viruses or spyware, what should I do next? After checking for viruses and spyware, you should make sure your operating system is up to date with the latest service packs and hot-fixes as well as making sure that all your drivers are up to date. Updated drivers are usually found by visiting the web site of the manufacturer of the system or components, you should read the manual that came with these parts to find the web address. Be sure to check the model number of your equipment and download the correct driver for your operating system.

Ok, I've checked for viruses and spyware and I've updated all my drivers but the computer still keeps crashing, what should I do now? Now that we've covered the basics things get a little more tricky. Either your system files may have become corrupted or other software you are using may be incompatible with your system. If you have installed any new software recently, you should uninstall this software and see if that fixes the problem. This may help because when you install new software, it will often add library files to your operating system and sometimes the ibrary files may be older than ones that were already in your system. If the installation software does not correctly check this before overwriting the existing files then it may cause your operating system to become unstable. If your system files have become corrupted you can either wipe your system clean and reinstall your operating system, applications and data or you should take your system to a qualified technician and have them repair your system.

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