If your notebook or desktop locks-up a few minutes after you turn it on, stalls at random times, or restarts itself without warning. This may be caused by your computer overheating.

There could be a lot of reasons for this problem such as, your processors heat sink’s ability to disperse heat or your case fan is not working properly. Added hardware like memory or a video card can also cause your system overheating problems. Notebooks are more prone to overheating than desktop machines because of the compactness of the components inside.

If you have been using your computer for awhile and this starts to occur, may sure your cooling fan is working properly. A can of compressed air in most cases cleans the dust out from the fan and your PC is happy again. If your fan is making a grinding sound it may have a bearing that is damaged and the fan should be replaced. Replacing the fan is relatively simple task to perform. Consult your computer user manual or manufactures website to make sure you get the right fan for your computer model.

Improve the airflow around and under your notebook by elevating it above the tabletop to increase airflow around it. For desktops keep at least 3 inches of space between it and obstructions, especial around the fan area. Avoid smoking around your computer. Over a period of time the tar from the cigarette will coat the processor’s heat sink and cause it to overheat; in extreme cases it can be fatal to your PC.

If you have a brand new computer that’s overheating, there’s likely a design or construction flaw, so make it the manufacturer’s responsibility to fix the problem.

If you are concerned that your PC may be overheating you can use software to monitor your computers temperature.  Speed Fan is the program we use. Check it out in our Free Stuff category. The optimum temperature varies with chip manufacture and processing speed but temperature between 60- 80 (C) or 140 – 176 (F) degrees is general a good range. The support section of your computer’s manufacture website should be able to tell you the proper operating temperature for your PC model.

Everything electronic is shrinking in size today. Our cell phones keep getting smaller, our cameras fit in our shirt pocket, and some laptops can fit into an inter-office mail envelope. The same is true with our computer storage. Portable drives, have reached a capacity and size that a few years ago were considered unattainable by common folk like us.

A USB Flash Drive

These drives are perfect to back-up important files on your desktop and laptop or to carry files from one place to another. Here are some things to consider if you are considering purchasing one of these drives.

Capacity: Storage capacity is one of the best features of flash drives. A 512 megabyte drive equals about 350 floppy drives and can carry many documents, pictures, and programs. Prices run under $10.00 at places like Walmart or Target. Larger a capacity flash drives of 4 to 8 gigabytes allow for more files and have the capacity to backup important files from your computer. Prices range between $15.00 to $40.00.

Security: Because flash drives are small are easily lost or left in a computer and forgotten leaving valuable data behind, they are not the most secure storage media around. If you are transporting sensitive data or concerned about security of your data, some drives come with security encryption or password protection. A 4gigabyte password protection capable drive is about $25.00.

Operating System compatibility: If you are going to be share file between operating systems, like between Windows and Mac computers, you need to look for a drive that is “cross-platform computable”. Most flash drives will operate on Windows and Macs computers without any problems. The operating systems that the drive works with on should be listed on the drive packaging.

Durblity: If you think you will need to use the drive for many years invest in quality drive. Drives made by SanDisk, Kingston, or PNY are leading flash drive manufactures. A quality flash drive can withstand many washings in the laundry, although I would not doing it often.

So if you are still toting around your floppy drives its time you upgrade to a flash drive.