Final answer:
Yes, a computer that locks up periodically and feels hot could be experiencing issues due to overheating. Ensuring proper ventilation and functioning of the cooling system are essential steps to prevent such problems. If these steps don't help, professional assistance may be required.
Step-by-step explanation:
When your computer feels hot to the touch and locks up periodically, these issues could indeed be related. Overheating in computers can cause a range of problems, including system crashes, freezes, or automatic shutdowns to protect hardware. This occurs because the system's internal components generate heat, and if this heat is not adequately dissipated by the cooling system, the temperature can reach levels that impair the computer's functions or even cause long-term damage.
Proper ventilation, preventing dust buildup, and ensuring the cooling system (like fans or heat sinks) is working correctly are critical measures to avoid overheating. In some cases, using a cooling pad can also help, especially for laptops that are known to run hot. If the problem persists, it may be necessary to seek professional help to clean or replace the computer's cooling system or explore other underlying issues that may cause the system to overheat.