Jcal

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.

TriggerFinger

Hi Jcal,

Welcome to TSF

so currently you are still running and no shutoff yet after several hours. what you noticed all seem to point to an overheating problem.

do you use a cooling pad? by any chance you are running it on something that might cover the vents (like using it on a carpeted floor, or on a comforter, etc.)?

try to observe it first and post back if it will shutoff again.

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Jcal

Hey, thanks for the advice so far. Just to answer your questions:

-No, I don't use a cooling pad. Should I be?
-No, I have a rather large desk, and so my tower is actually up on my desk. Also, the computer is approximately 9 inches to a foot away from the wall, because I know that sometimes that can lead to ventilation problems, too.

1 g0t 0wn3d

Download speedfan from my sig and post your temps and voltages

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TriggerFinger

Hi Jcal,

I got your PM. thanks for clarifying that out.

Please do as advised by 1 g0t 0wn3d about the temps.

Also if you can run some diags on your HDD and RAM, it could help. For the hard drive, download the HDD diagnostic tool for your specific brand of HDD from the link on my sig. As for the RAM, d/load Memtest86+ (see link on sig.). Get the ISO versions so you can burn the images into a CD. The CDs created from both ISO images may be used to boot your system from your CD drive.

just post back any results...

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DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD list - ImgBurn - HDD Diagnostic Tools - Everest

Jcal

Hey, I've downloaded the program, but I'm kind of a noob at this stuff, so I'm just gonna post everything I see. Sorry if some of this information is unnecessary.

CPU: 46C
Internal Temp: 34C
Remote Temp: 32C
HDO: 21C

*Note: Those number fluctuated a little, but never more than +/- 2 or 3 points.

+2.5V: 1.48V
VCore: 1.36V
+3.3V: 3.35V
+5V: 5.12V
+12V: 12.13V

That's what the program is saying, anyways.

1 g0t 0wn3d

what cpu do you have?

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dai

what
m/board
cpu
video card
power supply
brand
wattage
pcwizard is a good program we use it all the time

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Jcal

Mainboard : Intel D915GAV
Processor : Intel Pentium 4 524 @ 3066 MHz
Video Card : Intel(R) 82915G Express Chipset Family

I couldn't find some of the other stuff using PC Wizard, sorry.

Jcal

Hey, sorry for the double post.
But I had another problem with the computer turning off.
I turned it back on and it informed me that it was an Overheating that caused it to shut off.
I ran SpeedFan again, and it said the CPU temperature was 53-55C, which, if I'm not mistaken by my limited know-how and the Fire symbol beside the number, is too hot. So, I shut the computer off again.

This was about 2 or 3 hours ago. I'm now back on the computer again, watching SpeedFan closely. The CPU temperature is now fluctuating from 40C to 45C. I'll continue to watch it and keep you all informed. Thanks again for the help thus far.

*Update: Within a few minutes of having the computer on, the CPU temperature has been beginning to get kind of high again. The temperature went up to 55C at one point, but as I am typing this, it just dropped to 45C. At any rate, I guess we can agree that my computer is indeed hot. So, what would be causing this overheating? As I said, my fan was recently replaced so I don't think it's that.

dai

check the bios that the shut off point is not set to low p4 65-70c
redo the paste on the cpu with some arctic silver
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_s...structions.htm

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Jcal

How would I go about checking and/or changing the shut off point?

dai

advanced page
hardware monitor section

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Jcal

I just got done speaking to TS from the company I bought the computer from. They suggested that I invest in a heatsink and/or a new PSU.

Any thoughts on this? I'd rather not go buy those things if there is no need to.

dai

what psu is in it
brand
wattage
look at the label on the side of it

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Jcal

It's a MIOS with 500 watts. I think. lol, like I said, I'm not very good with this stuff.

dai

going on the price and no published details it appears low quality
look at a 550w corsair psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...550w%2bcorsair

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