Monday 3 June 2013

High Temperature Trouble

My seven-year-old laptop has been getting more and more temperamental and failed twice last year (typically at least 3 months after the last back-up had been made).  Luckily Hubby is a whizz with all things technological and, despite these troubles, we he managed to restore the system to working order and the only casualty was my free time while I laboriously copied the un-backed-up files back into place.  I got better at doing regular back-ups too ... every month like clockwork.  This year, real life took over and I kept meaning to do another back-up ... soon, perhaps after lunch, tomorrow at the latest ... but never quite managing to find the time.

Jimjams photo - #9 Scavenger Hunt 2013 - Dusty Laptop Innards
During the last month my laptop fan was almost permanently on, no matter how little processing was happening.  That should have been a clue, a signal that things weren't right and that a back-up would soon be needed in earnest!  Sadly I kept prevaricating and last week, just before several deadlines, the inevitable happened ... major failure again!! 

Hubby asked me when I had last backed-up ... I looked on my External Hard Drive and was very red-faced to admit that it was four months ago :-(

Luckily Hubby has just treated himself to a new machine and so now I am working on his old one, with a restored system that is finally up to date after only two days of file-copying!  *sigh*  I've now marked my calendar and promise faithfully to do better in future.

He showed me why my old laptop was overheating ... masses of dust inside and just look at the state of the air-vent!

That should definitely not be there, no wonder the fan was having to do overtime!  The only upside is that item #9 in Rinda's Summer 2013 Scavenger Hunt is "someone or something that is clearly out of place or doesn't belong" and I reckon this dusty fluff will get me started on the hunt, though I'm not sure where it should be, other than inside the bin!

12 comments:

scrappyjacky said...

Wherever it should be it's certainly not there....and I'm amazed dust builds up like that in a computer...I think I need to remember that!!
Glad he managed to save everything though.

Ladkyis said...

Under the bed! that's where dust bunnies that size should be. With the clutterbumphs* I think I should perhaps get the vents on my machine cleaned pretty soon

* You have to read Manxmouse by Paul Gallico to know what clutterbumphs are.

Sandie said...

What a clever husband you have. Mine amazed me today because he managed to open a message on Facebook - he has way to go!! No wonder your poor laptop was feeling a bit hot under the collar. Hope you are fully restored now and congrats on your first photo for the Scavenger hunt. That's just reminded me I haven't done my 365 today!

Sian said...

My laptop fan is on as we speak. That's not good, is it?!

Unknown said...

Nope, dust definitely doesn't belong INSIDE a laptop! I too am guilty of failing to do regular back ups. Maybe I should go do one now!

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

After my last laptop overheated (a feature of it's inadequate fan motor)and melted the motherboard I got real good at keeping the vents dust free on my new one.
But I still sort of suck at backing up files.

Maria Ontiveros said...

My computer is sooo slow right now and the battery won't recharge. I know I'm due for a tune-up! Thanks for the reminder and glad to see you getting started on the hunt.
Rinda

JulieJ said...

I think my iMac automatically does back up - but only when I finally get round to buying the 'Time Machine'!!! I started the scavenger photo hunt on sunday at Stratford and got 6. Must get round to posting them. Glad you are back on line.

Lesley G said...

Thank you Jemma, after our conversation on Saturday, I still forgot but reading your post my computer is currently backing up :)

Peg said...

Ack, thanks for the reminder, it's been a while here!
Thanks for coming by my blog too and good luck in the draw for a class spot with Jennifer Grace :-)

alexa said...

I can't even manage to keep on top of the visible dust let alone the invisible stuff! Glad all is now OK ... And you are reminding me that my machine is getting rather full and probably needs more memory. Great photo for the hunt!

Missus Wookie said...

Ugh on the laptop - I have to confess I love that my stuff is automatically backed up.