Heat + Computer = 
I serviced a computer last winter. The computer, a Dell Optiplex GX270, was shutting down, locking up, BSOD , etc.
When I went to access the computer, I noticed that the user had a small electric heater under her desk right next to the computer.
Well, the computer case was warm. I unplugged the heater and told the user to turn the computer back on in about and hour and to move the heater away from the computer.
The system started back up and it ran well and no complaints from the user.
The user was due for a life-cycle replacement computer. Last week, when I removed the computer I noticed that the case was bowed out near the bottom. At first I thought the case was not shut completely, but the case had suffered damage. See images below,
It appears the user keep her heater on and right next to the computer and melted the plastic case. I am surprised that she did not have a complete failure. The system must have gotten real hot to melt the hard plastic case.
Beside the obvious fire hazards, heat will degrade your system performance and may cause components to fail. Keep your system cool!
Click the thumbnails to see full size image!
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