Fan on Power Supply died, CPU damage?

accdin · 09-16-2008, 11:13 AM

My (6yr old) Gateway 300S has been getting slower and slower lately. I recently tried removing some virus scan software and installing Norton 360 unsuccessfully. Right after that I realized my pc is feeling very hot. I opened it up and found the power supply is fine, but the fan attached to it was dead. The other small fan on heatsink is working, but it's not doing enough. I've found a replacement for the Gateway 6500648 (Newton NPS160DB-B) power supply, but before I spend the time and money I'm wondering if there is any way to tell if other damage has been done to the cpu. Would the slowing of the pc be due to it getting hot and/or the software problems (which are fairly easily remedied) or due to more serious, extensive damange? I need to decide if it's revivable or would be better to get a new pc. Any help, advice or ideas are welcome. Thanks!

Tumbleweed36 · 09-16-2008, 11:52 AM

It quite possibly could be slower because of heat. Normally, the CPU just throttles down and gets slower or stops when there is too much heat. My best guess is that if you get the fan working, things should work, but there are actually no guarantees that is reality. Might work if (and don't take that lightly) this other power supply is up to the job.

Actually, it is kind of hard to tell if it is worth it since we don't know the cost of the new power supply you are looking at. My inclination would be to build new since the Gateway is quite old and to be quite honest, the components are not up to today's standards. Seems like a waste of money to put it in a rig that old. The performance of a six year old Gateway has to be lacking, so might be prudent to bite the bullet and get something better instead of doing a piece meal job on this one as componets age and begin failing. Just my opinion.

**stressfreesoul** · 09-16-2008, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tumbleweed36

It quite possibly could be slower because of heat. Normally, the CPU just throttles down and gets slower or stops when there is too much heat. My best guess is that if you get the fan working, things should work, but there are actually no guarantees that is reality. Might work if (and don't take that lightly) this other power supply is up to the job.

Actually, it is kind of hard to tell if it is worth it since we don't know the cost of the new power supply you are looking at. My inclination would be to build new since the Gateway is quite old and to be quite honest, the components are not up to today's standards. Seems like a waste of money to put it in a rig that old. The performance of a six year old Gateway has to be lacking, so might be prudent to bite the bullet and get something better instead of doing a piece meal job on this one as componets age and begin failing. Just my opinion.

I second that.

accdin · 09-16-2008, 12:17 PM

Thanks for the info. The new power supply is $60 plus shipping. Not too bad, but I thought if other things might be damaged then it may not be worth it. If I can get it working and perhaps wipe the h.d. and re-load software, then it may last a while. I'm also thinking my 9yr. old techno-kid son could then inherit it, and when I get a new one - it will be hands-off completely for him.

09-16-2008, 11:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
accdin Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2 OS: Win XP Home	Fan on Power Supply died, CPU damage? My (6yr old) Gateway 300S has been getting slower and slower lately. I recently tried removing some virus scan software and installing Norton 360 unsuccessfully. Right after that I realized my pc is feeling very hot. I opened it up and found the power supply is fine, but the fan attached to it was dead. The other small fan on heatsink is working, but it's not doing enough. I've found a replacement for the Gateway 6500648 (Newton NPS160DB-B) power supply, but before I spend the time and money I'm wondering if there is any way to tell if other damage has been done to the cpu. Would the slowing of the pc be due to it getting hot and/or the software problems (which are fairly easily remedied) or due to more serious, extensive damange? I need to decide if it's revivable or would be better to get a new pc. Any help, advice or ideas are welcome. Thanks!

09-16-2008, 11:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,630 OS: XP Professional	Re: Fan on Power Supply died, CPU damage? It quite possibly could be slower because of heat. Normally, the CPU just throttles down and gets slower or stops when there is too much heat. My best guess is that if you get the fan working, things should work, but there are actually no guarantees that is reality. Might work if (and don't take that lightly) this other power supply is up to the job. Actually, it is kind of hard to tell if it is worth it since we don't know the cost of the new power supply you are looking at. My inclination would be to build new since the Gateway is quite old and to be quite honest, the components are not up to today's standards. Seems like a waste of money to put it in a rig that old. The performance of a six year old Gateway has to be lacking, so might be prudent to bite the bullet and get something better instead of doing a piece meal job on this one as componets age and begin failing. Just my opinion. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

09-16-2008, 12:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
accdin Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2 OS: Win XP Home	Re: Fan on Power Supply died, CPU damage? Thanks for the info. The new power supply is $60 plus shipping. Not too bad, but I thought if other things might be damaged then it may not be worth it. If I can get it working and perhaps wipe the h.d. and re-load software, then it may last a while. I'm also thinking my 9yr. old techno-kid son could then inherit it, and when I get a new one - it will be hands-off completely for him.