You have been using your desktop computer for a year without any problems, but now you’re noticing that the sound of your cooling fan seems to be getting louder every week. Which of these would be the most likely reason for this increase in fan noise?
A) It’s normal for cooling fans to get louder as they age
B) The airflow through the computer is obstructed
C) The BIOS is misconfigured
D) The fan is an incorrect model for the type of computer
E) The fan needs a vacation. Somewhere warm, with umbrella drinks.
The answer: B) The airflow through the computer is obstructed
The airflow through a computer is a critical part of overall system cooling. It’s remarkable how much can go wrong if the fan becomes obstructed with dust or objects! If you keep your airflow open, the fans won’t have to work as hard and your computer will maintain a much cooler temperature.
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Want to know more? Watch “Troubleshooting Cooling Systems.” A hot computer is almost certainly headed to an untimely failure. In this video, you’ll learn how to troubleshoot cooling systems and monitor the temperature of your computer components. |