Cleanup

Does your computer need a cleanup? All computers should be cleaned now and then. There are 2 main types of cleanup: Digital and Physical, and they both apply to Desktops as well as Notebooks.

Digital Cleanup: This means to go through the software and files, removing things that are not necessary (especially malware or viruses!), defragmenting the drives, optimizing the computer to make it boot and run faster.

Physical Cleanup: This means a physical cleanup of the computer, usually this means cleaning out accumulated dust inside the computer. Symptoms of a dirty computer can include, but are not limited to, extra noise, crashing of the computer, random freezes, slower performance (some CPU's will slow down their speed to reduce temperatures, but overheating is not usually the cause of slow performance, usually that means you need a Digital Cleanup), premature failure of components (due to overheating) - especially fans.

I would recommend you do a Physical Cleanup of your computer at least every 6 months. If your house is extra dusty, you smoke, or you have pets, then you should do clean it more often. Your Desktop computer will collect less dust if it is raised off of the floor a couple feet. If you open up your desktop and you see anything like the following pictures, it's time to clean it up.

A very dirty CPU heatsink and fan.

A very dirty fan intake.

Another dirty CPU, notice the dirt buildup on the capacitors on the motherboard as well.

To clean your computer, you will need a can or two of compressed air (about $6 at Walmart or Officemax or Cost-U-Less) or an air-compressor with an air nozzle. If you use compressed air, try to keep the can upright so the propellant doesn't come out frozen which may cause damage. If you use an air compressor, don't aim it near a fan when the PSI is over about 60 PSI unless you are very careful. Don't spin the fan blades very quickly, you can easily break a blade or damage the bearings which will make you buy a new fan. If you do damage a fan (listen for weird noises when the computer is running), I would recommend replacing it ASAP, if your computer overheats it can permanently damage it.

I would also recommend you do this outside, there may be lots of dust inside your computer, and if you blow it out inside your house it will just circulate until it lands somewhere, eventually returning back to your computer because air circulates through your computer.

If you prefer help with this, I do cleaning on computers, as do most computer professionals.