System Overheating
An overheating computer can cause endless problems with the way a system runs and can also be potentially harmful to the components in the computer. The most common causes of overheating is a build-up of dust on a heatsink or a system fan, or the failure of the CPU fan. If your computer is randomly shutting down unexpectedly, freezing up or is unusually slow it is worth checking the system fans out before problems get worse.
How to Check the Temperature of your System
An easy way to check the temperature inside your computer is by running software that reads the temperature data directly from the sensors inside the system. One such software called speccy can be downloaded for free and is easy to use. Even if your system temperatures do not seem very high it is still advisable to check the inside of the case for dust buildup on a regular basis.
How to Check your System's Fans
Checking the fans in a computer is very easy. First you have to open the case. Once inside review all of the fans in the chassis paying special attention to the CPU fan and heatsink. If there is any dust on the components inside you should take the time to thoroughly clean your computer. If there is no dust to be seen you should also check that the fans are functioning properly. Turn the computer on and look around at all the fans to make sure they are spinning. If any of the fans are not spinning you will have to replace the fan with a new one. The power supply fan is unique because it is actually built into the power supply itself. If the power supply fan is no longer working we recommend that you replace the power supply. It is not recommended to only replace the fan because if you remove the power supply casing you will be exposed to potentially dangerous components that can hold a strong elecrical charge even when it is not plugged in.