Keeping Cool
By Cate Eales
Appeared July 30, 2009 on castanet.net
This is the time of year when people call me because
their laptop unexpectedly shuts down. While there are several likely
causes, the likeliest of all when it's good beach weather is heat.
Keep your laptop cool
Laptops need airflow, or they will get too hot and shut down. If you look
closely at your laptop, you'll probably see vents and air intake ports.
And when I say "closely" I mean, you might have to look at the bottom of
the computer. (Please turn it off first!) If you see intake ports on the
underside of your computer, try to imagine how air is going to flow
through the unit if you put it down on a table. Or a granite kitchen
counter. Or a glass patio table. I can't imagine how, either, and that
means it's going to heat up!
There are many fancy and expensive solutions to this problem.
"Laptop cooling pads"
come in a range of styles and prices and generally do the job. There
are other choices at
LaptopDesk.net. But you don't need to spend a lot of money on this
problem.
Do you have a couple of wine corks around? Either synthetic or real cork
will do. Put them on the table (on their sides --- not standing up) and
place the back of of the laptop on them so the computer is an inch or so
off the table. Honestly, this will help, and it's an enjoyable DIY
project!
If you don't imbibe, a couple of small Post-It Notes pads, one at each
back corner, will help. So will a paperback book. You're just looking for
an inch or so of space. Even if you are in an air-conditioned environment,
you need that airflow.
(click here to enlarge image)
Here's another tip: Shut down your laptop when you're
not using it. I mean, shut it down, don't put it in "Sleep" or
"Hibernate", just shut it down.
In Windows XP, click on Start, then on Shutdown, then on Turn off
computer.
(click to enlarge image)
In Vista, click on Start, then on the arrowhead on the
far right, then on Shut down.
(click to enlarge image)
Get a decent surge protector
You need a good surge protector for your computer, even if your computer
is a laptop. I've written often about protecting your computer with
anti-virus and anti-malware programs, with a firewall, and with strong
passwords. But recently, as I've helped people set up their new computers,
I realized that many people overlook one obvious form of protection, and
that's a good surge protector.
Consult an electrician, or better still an electrical engineer, if you
want a more technical discussion involving joules and so on, but on a
non-technical level, a good surge protector should have the "UL
Listed" label on it; it should offer a "connected equipment warranty;"
and it should have an indicator light on it so you can tell when it has
quit working. Expect to pay at least $25 for a good one, and you can pay a
lot more if you want to!
Make sure you plug your cable or DSL modem and your
router into a surge protector, too. They also contain sensitive
electronics, and are a hassle to replace. If you have a fax modem or any
kind of phone line connection to the computer, get a surge protector with
a phone pass through, because phone lines are powered from the telco
central office, and you can get a surge that way, even with today's
digital CO's.
Inspect your surge protectors from time to time, and expect to replace
them every couple of years, or more often if --- like us here in the
Mission --- you have many power hits.
Enjoy the long weekend, and please drive safely!
Cate Eales runs Computer Care Kelowna, a mobile service
helping home users and businesses get along with their computers. To
arrange an appointment phone her at 250-764-7043. Cate also welcomes your
comments and suggestions. Send email to
help@computercarekelowna.com.
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Links
Laptop cooling pads
http://tinyurl.com/n4f5bb
LaptopDesk.net
http://www.laptopdesk.net/
Wikipedia article: Underwriters Laboratories
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwriters_Laboratories
Computer Care Kelowna
http://computercarekelowna.com/
Getting Along With Your Computer Column Archives
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---
Cate Eales has been helping people make online computing safe, accessible
and fun for over 20 years. She lives in Kelowna with her husband, Eric,
and her dog, Sandy. Cate is a partner in
Computer Care
Kelowna, helping individuals and small businesses with virus, spyware
and malware eradication; personal computer training and management;
digital image management; music transfer; and website design, hosting and
management. Email Cate at
help@computercarekelowna.com with your comments, suggestions, or
questions. To browse the column archives, visit the Real Life Internet
Solutions website at www.rlis.com.
©
Cate Eales 2009 – All Rights Reserved
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