Monday, June 29, 2015
Summer is finally here and you are probably thinking of ways to keep your office cool and comfortable for your patients. But how often do you consider how the heat affects the computer systems that keep your practice running?
Computers that overheat too often are susceptible to internal damage that can slow down the system and be extremely expensive to repair. Here are a few preventative measures you can take to help keep your devices cool and running like new all summer:
Location, location, location
When it comes to keeping a computer cool where it is located in the office is important. Try to keep your computer in a room that is naturally shady. Consider which times of day the sun comes into the room and locate the computer away from direct sunlight.
If possible, place the computer against an inside wall and away from heater outlets or radiators. Also keep the computer in a well ventilated area. If your computer is in a tight space, heat can build up causing the internal temperature to increase. If your computer is in a room with air conditioning, try placing the computer as close to the air conditioning unit as possible. This will help prevent external heat from affecting how the computer operates.
Beware of dust
In any computer, dust can collect around the air vents and prevent proper air flow, causing computers to overheat. The more dust surrounding your system, the worse off you are. Be sure to turn off and unplug your computer before you attempt to remove any dust. Use canned air to blow short bursts of air into the fan vent and remove any dust particles. Try to make cleaning out dust in your computer system a habit because dust can collect repeatedly over time.
Get rid of your screensaver
Believe it or not, using a screensaver requires your system to run near full power and produces full heat. Allowing the screen to go dark after several minutes of inactivity will give your computer a much needed break.
Watch your application use
Running too many applications at once can cause your computer to overheat. By limiting how many applications you run, you can prevent your computer from over exerting itself. One workaround for this challenge is installing a memory upgrade. Computer memory upgrades start at $50 apiece and allow for short-term data access. In other words, the more memory your computer has, the more applications it can load at once without overheating.
Hibernate computers when not in use
One simple thing you can do to help control the heat of your computer is to place it in hibernate mode when it’s not in use. You can automatically configure your devices to hibernate during periods of inactivity. This will give your computer a chance to cool down and save electricity.
While these tips will help you keep your computer cool during warm summer months, they are also important to keep in mind all year. As you implement these easy steps you’ll find that your computer will last longer, ultimately saving you money to use elsewhere around the office to make your patients happier than ever.