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Jcal · 04-23-2008, 11:04 AM

Hello everyone, I've used this site frequently, and anonymously, for quite sometime, but I've gotten so exasperated with my Hardware problems that I've finally joined.

So, hello everyone.

Now on to business. I have had numerous problems with my computer overheating and shutting off. Throughout these problems, the computer was under warranty, so I wasn't allowed to open the case, or take it to a shop that wasn't authorized by the company. Recently, though, my warrantly expired, so I'm ready to finally either fix this thing or junk it.

I had problems last summer with my computer overheating. It would suddenly shut off, OR, the screen would become distorted, with an image of the last thing I was doing imprinted on the screen. Under my warranty, I got free service and repairs, so I sent it in and the company isolated the cause of the overheating to be due to a broken fan. The fan was replaced, and the computer sent back.

Then, the computer began shutting off again, in a similar way. The company advised me to uninstall Windows XP, and then reinstall it. I did, and it worked fine throughout the remainder of my warranty.

Yesterday, though, my computer "overheated" again. I, somewhat angrily, called the company and asked them if they had any idea why, after so many fixes, it was doing this. They advised me to download PC Wizard, which, apparently (I'm new to the program, so if it's total garbage or something, please let me know) could tell the temperature of my processor, among other things. The tech support gentleman on the other line said that the temperature (43 degrees Celsius) wasn't a high enough temperature to cause overheating. Other than that, he said to open the case and check for dust. I did, and there was an extremely minimal amount of dust which I did indeed clean out.

Today, I've had the computer turned on (although not running anything heavier than IE and iTunes) for about 3 hours, at the time of this writing. It hasn't shut off again, but I'm pretty pessimistic about how long it will continue working.

Sorry for the long preamble (Poli Sci student here, it's pretty much ingrained in me), but I figured I'd give the whole story. Basically what I'm asking is if anyone has any ideas of what's wrong with the computer, and what can be done to fix it.

Thank you in advance for your time and knowledge; my computer know-how extends to installing programs, software-related things, etc. I'm at a complete loss when it comes to Hardware and the like.

EDIT: Also, if this is in the wrong forums, please feel free to notify me and/or move it. I was unsure as to where the best place for it would be.

04-23-2008, 11:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jcal Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 8 OS: XP (SP 2)	Overheating... Except not hot? Hello everyone, I've used this site frequently, and anonymously, for quite sometime, but I've gotten so exasperated with my Hardware problems that I've finally joined. So, hello everyone. Now on to business. I have had numerous problems with my computer overheating and shutting off. Throughout these problems, the computer was under warranty, so I wasn't allowed to open the case, or take it to a shop that wasn't authorized by the company. Recently, though, my warrantly expired, so I'm ready to finally either fix this thing or junk it. I had problems last summer with my computer overheating. It would suddenly shut off, OR, the screen would become distorted, with an image of the last thing I was doing imprinted on the screen. Under my warranty, I got free service and repairs, so I sent it in and the company isolated the cause of the overheating to be due to a broken fan. The fan was replaced, and the computer sent back. Then, the computer began shutting off again, in a similar way. The company advised me to uninstall Windows XP, and then reinstall it. I did, and it worked fine throughout the remainder of my warranty. Yesterday, though, my computer "overheated" again. I, somewhat angrily, called the company and asked them if they had any idea why, after so many fixes, it was doing this. They advised me to download PC Wizard, which, apparently (I'm new to the program, so if it's total garbage or something, please let me know) could tell the temperature of my processor, among other things. The tech support gentleman on the other line said that the temperature (43 degrees Celsius) wasn't a high enough temperature to cause overheating. Other than that, he said to open the case and check for dust. I did, and there was an extremely minimal amount of dust which I did indeed clean out. Today, I've had the computer turned on (although not running anything heavier than IE and iTunes) for about 3 hours, at the time of this writing. It hasn't shut off again, but I'm pretty pessimistic about how long it will continue working. Sorry for the long preamble (Poli Sci student here, it's pretty much ingrained in me), but I figured I'd give the whole story. Basically what I'm asking is if anyone has any ideas of what's wrong with the computer, and what can be done to fix it. Thank you in advance for your time and knowledge; my computer know-how extends to installing programs, software-related things, etc. I'm at a complete loss when it comes to Hardware and the like. EDIT: Also, if this is in the wrong forums, please feel free to notify me and/or move it. I was unsure as to where the best place for it would be. Last edited by Jcal : 04-23-2008 at 11:05 AM.