Breathing Life Into That Old Computer

An old computer tends to show its age. It can take forever to load up your web browser and not to mention the long boot up times. But there are steps you can take to breathe new life into an old computer. A word of caution: some of these methods involve opening up your desktop or laptop. If you are uncomfortable with this, please feel free to contact us to schedule an appointment.

Dust and Overheating

A computer can run slow if it overheats. The best way to prevent this is to keep the vents clear and free of dust. Try to avoid smoking near a PC. This can cause dust to stick the blades of the fans and create a gunky substance that can be hard to clean.

Compressed air is the best way to clean out a dusty computer. This can be from canned duster or from an air compressor. Be sure to hold the fans as spinning them can cause damage to the fan and the system. NEVER use a household vacuum cleaner on bare electronics. The static generated by the vacuum cleaner can and will destroy electronics.

Rattling or slow moving fans can prevent airflow, which can cause it to overheat. If you notice any fans that are not working, please contact us to schedule an appointment.

Finally, the computer should be out in the open. Keeping it inside of a closet, entertainment center, or desk drawer can restrict the flow of cool air. This causes the computer to breathe in hot air and overheat components. In the case of a laptop, try to rest it on a flat, hard surface. If applicable, use a stand to raise the bottom of the laptop up, allowing airflow through the bottom vents.

Upgrading

Computer components will show their age. Some older components may actually be holding your machine back. Older computers may need to have components upgraded to working at 100%.

Hard drive

The hard drive stores all the data a computer needs. Accessing this data can take a long time as hard drives are slow and can have a hard time accessing data. Replacing the hard drive with an SSD, or Solid State Drive, can make your computer more responsive.

RAM

If the hard drive is the long-term memory, the RAM, or Random Access Memory, is the short-term memory. If a computer runs out of memory, a computer can crash and result in data loss. If you want to inquire about a RAM upgrade, please contact us.

Let The Professionals Do It

If you would like a professional opinion, please contact us. We will be able to leverage our years of professional experience to get you exactly where you need to be.