Overheating is a common problem that can lead to data loss. Your computer really heats up when it is operating and if there is something wrong with the cooling system the hard drive could be damaged leading to data loss.
One of the most common ways that we inadvertently damage our computer is by allowing it to overheat. When computers are operating, they generate heat, this heat is supposed to be dissipated by your computer’s cooling and ventilation system.
Most computers are designed to be able to cool themselves by drawing cool air from the outside and expelling hot air that builds up internally. If this system breaks down, if your computer’s interior gets too hot, it could harm the components. It could even cause the hard drive to fail or be damaged and result in data loss.
What are the signs that your computer is overheating?
If your computer can’t cool itself properly, it will overheat. Of course the simplest symptoms of this are the lack of sound coming from the exhaust system. If you can’t hear the fan whirring or air being expelled occasionally, there is something wrong.
You can also observe or feel your computer overheating while you use it. If it seems like it’s just getting too hot, there is something wrong with your cooling system.
If your computer is overheating, it can’t function properly, so you might also observe an increase in unexpected shut downs, programs crashing, hanging, and blue screens.
Be aware of these signs of an overheating computer as it could eventually lead to your computer’s components breaking down and even hard drive failure.
What causes overheating?
The most basic cooling system built into computers consists of an internal exhaust fan with vents that at its sides or front. If something is impeding the function of this simple system, your computer could overheat.
A defective part, such as a broken exhaust fan, can result in your computer overheating but often time’s the culprit is something simpler: You are allowing the airflow around your computer to be blocked.
Dust accumulation can clog the air vents and fans, impeding airflow. This is why it is important to clean your computer regularly, and don’t neglect the vents.
Also, if you block the air vents, by placing a computer too close to a wall or placing a laptop in a soft surface, you will impede the airflow and cause your computer to overheat. Make sure that the vents are clear when you are using your computer.
As a good rule of thumb, you should try and make sure that there is at least three inches of free space all around your computer. So, the back should be three inches from the wall and there should be three inches of cleared space around the sides.
How to prevent data loss due to overheating?
First of all, you need to avoid putting your computer in situations where it might overheat. Keep the vents clean and clear and check that the cooling system is working well. It’s also a good idea to regularly back up your hard drive. You could try installing DataNumen Disk Image and take regular disk images of your hard drive to ensure that you can easily restore your files and programs in case of data loss due to your hard drive overheating and failing.