How to Keep Your Laptop Cool and Prevent Your Computer Not Responding

If the fan on your computer always seems to be running you want to take some preventative steps to prolong the life of your investment. Overheating is one of the most common causes of computer crashing and freezing and is completely preventable. If it seems like your system has been non responsive, freezing up, or just crashes without warning, then you will want to read my suggestions.

Step 1 Buy a mesh cookie cooling rack to set your laptop on. Only costing a couple dollars, these rack are excellent to tools to help lower the operating temperatures of your notebook. They allow air to circulate around the entire computer.

Step 2 Remove your laptop's case and clean the dust from the inside. The steps are actually pretty simple and can be found in your computer's manual or by searching online. Some are secured by a couple screws but others may have a single release tab. Just be certain that your computer is unplugged.

Step 3 If you are not comfortable removing the case on your computer, you can still clean the fans. These will be located on the bottom or the sides/back. Run a vacuum attachment over top to clear out large dust particles.

Step 4 Consider purchasing a laptop cooling mat. These are nifty little pads that promote cooling with their internal fans. You can pick them up from most office supple stores or discount retailers around $30. You might even try Ebay where I've seen them go for under $20. A few popular models are the Targus Chillpad or Coolmat and the Antec Coolpad.

Step 5 Make sure that your monitor shuts off when you close the screen of your laptop. If not, the heat from the lit monitor against the keyboard can fry your hardware.