Your computer can break down very much like a car. You can start it up this morning, but when you go to start it this afternoon, is it going to start?
Why do computers break down?
Like any other electrical or mechanical device, breakdowns are inevitable. It could happen when you do not expect it or it could break down slowly over time.
Ventilation of your computer is one of the most important factors in the health of your computer. When computers are not ventilated properly, heat around your computer can build. Heat will shorten the length of your computer’s life span. Heat will cause minor to major break downs. Even if your computer is out in the open, you might have problems inside too!
If you are able and willing to remove the side, do a visual inspection of the components. Here is what you want to look at:
This CPU fan is probably from a hair salon, home with numerous pets, or a factory setting. In any scenario, it is also evident that this computer does belong to a smoker. Particulate matter and dust bind together, coating the smooth aluminum edges of the heat sink or heat dissipaters. This computer should be cleaned on a routine basis. If you are a non smoker without pets, this means you should clean your computer once every two months. Smokers and pet owners should clean out the inside of their computers every month. Once a computer becomes this dirty, you can almost be rest assured that component failures will be imminent. This computer should be cleaned outside with a shop type vacuum set to BLOW. This will eliminate the debris from the area and hopefully save you from losing other components.
The image to the right has a power supply and a CPU fan in sight. Let’s focus on the silver 
box with the furry looking grate. This should be clean, with shiny black fan blades and some shiny parts behind it. Make sure you use the blower to clean this out completely. Spend 5 minutes and angle the wand of the blower in each vent port, so you can clean this device thoroughly. This component is what will save your computer, should a power surge or electrical spike ever hit your home. When computers are dirty, the electricity can be conducted through the debris and keep doing damage.
Other components on the mainboard, or logic board for the Apple lovers out there, can become directly affected by the cleanliness of your computer.
Keep your computer clean, and it will keep running for years to come.
