Computer crashes are about as common as a thunderstorm on a hot summer day. We have all had them and every computer will do it at some time or another. An occasional 
freeze up is often nothing to worry about but if it happens on a regular basis, there is usually an underlying reason.
By a “crash” wee are actually referring to a scenario where you might get a Blue Screen of Death, or maybe the system will freeze and sometimes it might be a random restart. Although the reasons for these problems can be endless, we are going to talk about the most common reasons today.
There are three reasons that are the cause of most crashes on an average computer. The first reason we are going to talk about is probably the most common but is the single most overlooked cause of computer problems. It is a simple element called heat. Just like the blazing sun slows us down on a hot summer day, the same thing can happen to a computer.
The average computer user rarely takes the side off the computer to look inside and see if dirt is accumulating around the fan or other sensitive computer parts. In reality, this should be considered regular maintenance for everybody. Even if you have a laptop, it is important to at least use canned air to blow out any built up dust that collects around the fans and cooling fins of the processor. In the case of a laptop, users will often use them while they are sitting on a bed or other soft surface and this can greatly restrict the airflow, which can result in a slow computer or worse.
In the case of your desktop PC, dirt can form around the fans and cause your system to run slow or freeze completely. If not corrected, over time this heat can cause permanent damage to delicate electronic components ultimately leading to a motherboard failure. In some cases, a total fan failure can occur. This can be the most destructive thing that could happen to your processor. Although most processors have a built in feature that is supposed to shut down the computer when the temperature reaches a dangerous level, damage can still occur to your system. It is a really good idea to clean and keep the insides of your computer clean and to visually check the operation of the cooling fans.
In some cases, Malware can cause your computer to crash or run slow. Today’s Malware actually wants your computer to keep running otherwise they cannot do their dirty deeds. The problem arises when you try to run a labor-intensive program with the Malware running in the background and suddenly your computer begins to think like a snail instead of a rabbit.
Other hardware features can also fail and cause a slow computer. One of the more common hardware parts to create problems is your video card. Most video cards have on-board fans to keep the chip cool. After all, modern cards are actually like mini computers themselves. If the tiny fan fails, and they often do, the added heat on the chip can cause your system to crawl.
You might even see strange artifacts on your screen or even strange colored lines might appear. These fans are not always easy to replace or easy to find. If you are handy and you have enough room in your case, you can configure a third party fan onto the card that will help to keep the card cool and within its normal operating temperature range. In some cases, you can peel off the sticker that seals the fans bearings and apply a small amount of graphite oil to the bearings. You will then have to use a small piece of tape to re seal the bearings.
Well there you have it. These are the most common reasons for slow downs and crashes. Like I said, there are many other reason that we have not covered here but can cause crashes as well.
By Tech Joe Z
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