Computer storage

Hey folks!

Gotta quick question about computer storage. I have an old Dell computer that I stored in a closet over the winter (I wasn't using it, and it took up space). Said closet gets pretty cold (I live in Japan, a place that doesn't understand the utility of isulation!). I tried firing up the computer about a month ago, but it wouldn't boot...not even to a point where I could access the BIOS.

Could have the cold temps in the closet caused the problem? I replaced the bios battery, but no dice. I remember reading somewhere that if a computer gets too cold that it can cause problems.

Anyway, thanks for your input.

 

Cold tempuratures could cause problems... but keep in mind that a computer can run at optimum efficiency at I believe somewhere around 60 degrees farenhiet... so I guess if your closet was REALLY cold than it could be an issue... electronics don't like extreme cold or extreme heat but they run at best in slightly cooler temps than us humans like. So I guess it COULD be a factor.

I'd also get like a duster aerosol can or something and just open that case up and blast away because I am sure MUCH dust has collected and dust in the wrong places will lead to electrical interferance which will lead to things not working so try to disconnect everything and reconnect it dusting all the while... All this is assuming the computer worked the day it was put in the closet

 

Oh, I can assure you it got much colder than 60 F in that closet. When no heater is on in the room with closet, you can see your breath. I've never appreciated insulation more than after I moved to Japan!

I'll also try the disconnect and clean method, and see if that works.

And, it did work before I put it in there. I guess I should have kept it hooked up. Oh, well.

Thanks for the reply.

 

actually computers run BETTER and more efficiently in cold temperature. I've even seen a liquid nitrogen cooling system that had the processor running at -117 C (possibly even lower) and the computer was able to run overclocked to amazing speeds.

it is HIGHLY unlikely that temperature caused this problem.

you might try clearing the CMOS to reset the BIOS data, and checking that all cables are connected securely.

 

Yeah, I guess you're right. I was given the same advice before as well. There are just so many cables and wires!

 

I too would be very surprised if cold was the cause.

Off-course anything is possible, but it's not very probable.

Do any of the LED's or fans etc come on at all?

 

Really? I knew that computers did better in the cold but -117 C??? that's incredible... I guess I thought to much of the displays... because I am pretty sure it's safe to say that it'd be damn near impossible to find an LCD display that would actually work at those kinds of tempuratures...

Anywho MDowns.. when your removing cables and stuff just make sure you remember where they came from (I know it's obvious but it just didn't sound like you had been in a computer to many times before so just thought I'd throw the obvious out there :-D) also, clearing the CMOS would be another good idea (as was mentioned already) so let us know if you need help with that.

 

i believe it was posted here long ago, but heres the link if you're interested... -119C http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/20031230

you're right as far as LCD's go though, they dislike cold

good luck mdowns!

 

Well, processors run better the colder they are, but what about HDDs or motherboards? I would not be surprised if either don't like extreme hot or extreme cold temps.

 

It's not correct to say "processors run better the colder they are".

Everything has an optimum operating temperature.