Preface
Maintaining Your Computer
Environmental Factors
Temperature
The ambient temperature within an enclosure may be greater than room
ambient temperature. Installation in an enclosure should be such that the
amount of air flow required for safe operation is not compromised.
Consideration should be given to the maximum rated ambient temperature.
Overheating can cause a variety of problems, including premature aging and
failure of chips or mechanical failure of devices.
If the system has been exposed to abnormally cold temperatures, allow a
two-hour warm-up period to bring it up to normal operating temperature before
turning it on. Failure to do so may cause damage to internal components,
particularly the hard disk drive.
Humidity
High-humidity can cause moisture to enter and accumulate in the system. This
moisture can cause corrosion of internal components and degrade such
properties as electrical resistance and thermal conductivity. Extreme moisture
buildup inside the system can result in electrical shorts, which can cause
serious damage to the system.
Buildings in which climate is controlled usually maintain an acceptable level of
humidity for system equipment. However, if a system is located in an unusually
humid location, a dehumidifier can be used to maintain the humidity within an
acceptable range. Refer to the “Specifications” section of this user’s guide for
the operating and storage humidity specifications.
Altitude
Operating a system at a high altitude (low pressure) can cause electrical
problems related to arcing and corona effects. This condition can also cause
sealed components with internal pressure, such as electrolytic capacitors, to fail
or perform at reduced efficiency.
