What Is the Likelihood of a Newer Computer Surviving in 100+ Degree Heat?

Question

I have a computer I got in '04 that I had to leave in storage when I moved from Arizona to where I live now. It's in your average storage locker at one of those places, but it's NOT temperature controlled. I haven't been able to go back since I left it there in February.. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience or knowledge on how a computer could survive in an area with 100+ heat for atleast 4 months out of the year. Is it likely that it will still work? Or will it just not boot up when I go to pick that and the rest of me belongings up? I'd appreciate HONEST and REAL answers from people.. none of those sacrastic responses saying I shouldn't have left it there.. thanks.

I appreciate everyone's answers.. kind of gives me a sigh of relief.. however it's a desktop computer, not a laptop.. I don't know how much of a difference that will make in answers.

Answer 1

100 °F? No problem. When a PC is ON and its fans are running, the processor case temp is about 95-105 °F at idle and up to120- 130°F at full load. Many video cards run at higher temperature. The hard drive usually runs at about 100-110°F. The motherboard chipset typically runs at 95-115°F. These are typical temps in a room w/ no aircon like my PC shack here.

Answer 2

So long as the laptop was not turned on, there should be minimal effect on the electronics inside.

As a previous poster mentioned, the plastic parts could be deformed a little, but unlikely to be to an extent that the functionality is compromised.

Your primary problem area is the battery. In such a scenario as you describe, where its hot during the day, and cools down at night, and heats up again the next day, the repeated expansion and contraction cycles can cause the battery to leak. The good news is that a damaged battery will not affect the laptop, so the worst case is that you trash the battery and get a new one.

Answer 3

The 2 things that you are going to have to look at that have the highest probability of not surviving are the screen and the battery.

Although not likely the screen could crack in heat (although unlikely at 100 degrees).

However more likely is the possiblity that the battery could breakdown, causing a leak which woul further damage the laptop. If the battery is not damaged I would still think about getting a replacement incase it had damaged something internal that you may not notice until a couple of weeks of use.

Answer 4

I'm a hardware expert. I know what I'm talking about. In the worst case scenario, your plastics might bend. that too very rarely. I can guarantee you that your laptop will be just fine.

Some precautions before you startup your laptop, when you reach home. If there was moisture in the locker, just leave your laptop in a dry place with plenty of air circulation for it to dry off.

Use a vacuum at the vents to clear off any dust accumulation, plug it in and turn it on. Leave the battery to full charge.

Answer 5

It is kind of hard to say the possibility of damage certainly exists but I think the biggest problem would be moisture and humidity. If it was at least in a clean and dry place there is a very good chance that it still functions.

Answer 6

An honest answer? Well, I'd have to say that unless there's been a miracle at work, your computer's probably not in very good condition. The manufacturers always warn about things like that.

Answer 7

Your computer is most likely ruined and will not work. At 100+
temperature the hard will lock-up occasionally and you will receive error messages, both causes of high temperatures and over heating.

Answer 8

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