So, I asked if there had been any other problems with the computer lately.

“Now that you mention it, it has been turning itself off every so often. But this was the first time I saw smoke or heard any strange noises. It’s been shutting more frequently lately.”

A computer should turn itself off after certain updates are installed, or if it is set to shut down after a preset duration inactivity. But it should not shut down while it’s active. That would be a major inconvenience. Some earlier operating systems experienced frequent stalls, bluescreens and hangs, but not just shutting down.

I packed my computer-cleaning kit, and was on my way. As I entered the house, the owner and her two cats greeted me. While I’m not a cat person, I attempted to stroke the cats who both skittered away not to be seen again during my visit.

She showed me to her carpeted office area, where the computer sat on the floor under the desk. She assured me she had not attempted to boot up the computer after the incident. She had even removed the power cable from the wall to prevent any further problems.

Dirty Work

After carrying the computer out to the back deck, I unscrewed the computer case cover. I wriggled the side of the case off to reveal a plethora of cat hair and dust – one hairball appeared to be singed. I gingerly began removing clumps of hair and dust being ever so careful not to hurt any of the computer’s components. After about 15 minutes of cleaning, I was ready to reassemble the case and restart the computer. Voila! It started up and stayed on until the user shut it down.

I explained to the cat lover that computers generate a lot of heat and require constant airflow to keep the interior components from overheating. Fans draw cool air into the front of the computer and blow heated air out the back.  As they draw in air, they draw in environmental dust particles and animal hair, which eventually block the flow of cooling air.  When dust and cat hair blocked the vents, the computer shut itself down to prevent overheating – yes, computers will do that.  The persistent user was lucky she had just a puff of smoke and not a full-blown fire.

Preventing Overheating Problems

Air-cooled computers are going to draw in dust, hair and cigarette smoke. Keeping the computer on the desk rather than on the floor helps reduce incoming debris. Some computer desks provide a cabinet for the tower. While this can help prevent dust from entering the computer, make sure the computer has some way to vent its exhaust.

If your computer must sit under your desk, place it on a raised platform or in a wheeled computer cart. Even a few inches off the ground will help.

When you see dust building up on the front or rear vents, brush it off with your hand or an antistatic wipe. Be careful with compressed air, as you don’t want to blow the dust into the computer case.

If your computer starts shutting itself down while you are using it, call a professional to clean its interior. Press Any Key PC Spa includes interior case cleaning in its 7-point PC Tuneup. Don’t wait for a puff of smoke.

Cobwebs and Cigarettes

If your computer is in a damp basement, cobwebs can form inside the case. Cobwebs catch debris and keep it inside the case.

Cigarette smoke residue can gum up a computer’s interior making a sticky surface for dust and hair to adhere to.

So, I asked if there had been any other problems with the computer lately.

“Now that you mention it, it has been turning itself off every so often. But this was the first time I saw smoke or heard any strange noises. It’s been shutting more frequently lately.”

A computer should turn itself off after certain updates are installed, or if it is set to shut down after a preset duration inactivity. But it should not shut down while it’s active. That would be a major inconvenience. Some earlier operating systems experienced frequent stalls, bluescreens and hangs, but not just shutting down.

I packed my computer-cleaning kit, and was on my way. As I entered the house, the owner and her two cats greeted me. While I’m not a cat person, I attempted to stroke the cats who both skittered away not to be seen again during my visit.

She showed me to her carpeted office area, where the computer sat on the floor under the desk. She assured me she had not attempted to boot up the computer after the incident. She had even removed the power cable from the wall to prevent any further problems.

Dirty Work

After carrying the computer out to the back deck, I unscrewed the computer case cover. I wriggled the side of the case off to reveal a plethora of cat hair and dust – one hairball appeared to be singed. I gingerly began removing clumps of hair and dust being ever so careful not to hurt any of the computer’s components. After about 15 minutes of cleaning, I was ready to reassemble the case and restart the computer. Voila! It started up and stayed on until the user shut it down.

I explained to the cat lover that computers generate a lot of heat and require constant airflow to keep the interior components from overheating. Fans draw cool air into the front of the computer and blow heated air out the back.  As they draw in air, they draw in environmental dust particles and animal hair, which eventually block the flow of cooling air.  When dust and cat hair blocked the vents, the computer shut itself down to prevent overheating – yes, computers will do that.  The persistent user was lucky she had just a puff of smoke and not a full-blown fire.

Preventing Overheating Problems

Air-cooled computers are going to draw in dust, hair and cigarette smoke. Keeping the computer on the desk rather than on the floor helps reduce incoming debris. Some computer desks provide a cabinet for the tower. While this can help prevent dust from entering the computer, make sure the computer has some way to vent its exhaust.

If your computer must sit under your desk, place it on a raised platform or in a wheeled computer cart. Even a few inches off the ground will help.

When you see dust building up on the front or rear vents, brush it off with your hand or an antistatic wipe. Be careful with compressed air, as you don’t want to blow the dust into the computer case.

If your computer starts shutting itself down while you are using it, call a professional to clean its interior. Press Any Key PC Spa includes interior case cleaning in its 7-point PC Tuneup. Don’t wait for a puff of smoke.

Cobwebs and Cigarettes

If your computer is in a damp basement, cobwebs can form inside the case. Cobwebs catch debris and keep it inside the case.

Cigarette smoke residue can gum up a computer’s interior making a sticky surface for dust and hair to adhere to.