Posted: 6/16/2013 6:07:00 AM EDT
|
I have an old Dell desktop computer (Windows XP Pro) that I'm not using anymore. I do a lot of work in the garage, and some of it requires referencing material online. I was interested in putting this computer in the garage to serve that purpose. My concern is that it would get destroyed by the heat/cold of the garage - the garage isn't climate controlled and has no source of heat and/or air conditioning. Is this something I should worry about? Or will it run fine? Thanks!
|
|
I wouldnt worry about it. We run Dell laptops in our work vans and they are in direct heat most of the time and can be a lil slow but dont lock up. I doubt your garage would get as hot as the inside of a van.
The biggest thing about keeping in the garage would be dust/dirt. Make sure you vacuum the fan inlets and the case frequently |
|
Quoted: I wouldnt worry about it. We run Dell laptops in our work vans and they are in direct heat most of the time and can be a lil slow but dont lock up. I doubt your garage would get as hot as the inside of a van. The biggest thing about keeping in the garage would be dust/dirt. Make sure you vacuum the fan inlets and the case frequently Yep, good point. She will get dirty out there. Heck, they get dirty no matter where they are. |
| Most of last summer I kept a Pentium 4 machine (always running) in my garage. I live in Lubbock…the dust didn't seem to bother it nor did the heat (105º F). Served as a media server and a computer to use to lookup loading data. Eventually acquired a better machine to use as a server and moved it inside, gave the Pentium 4 machine to a friend and then replaced it with a Raspberry Pi in the garage. |
|
Quoted: I don't think the cold will matter much (could be wrong) but I'd hate to run a computer in the middle of summer in the garage. Above, someone said he ran a p4 in 105 degrees but that's still pretty extreme. I'd be more concerned about the heat. Cold will matter at some points: - moving parts (fans, hard drives) will change dimensions and any lubricants used change viscosity - LCD screens will crack if subjected to a hard freeze (I'd start to get worried down below about 20 degrees F) - capacitors and tubes (as in a CRT display) might have response time problems. If you want to run a computer in a garage, I might put a box or container over it (to stifle air flow) and run the cables under the edge. That would let the computer heat itself. In summer, make sure air flow is good or add an extra fan or two. Most computers start to really go haywire at temps that are higher than most garages will get. You can still cool with warm (to humans) air. For an old computer, I'd say give it a try. It probably won't do anything like start a fire. Just make sure any data stored there is backed up somewhere else.
|
|
If you are worried about dust and dirt, these work great. I have a customer that has a woodshop with a computer, he changes it out every month or so. http://www.dirtbag.biz/covers/tower.html |