Couple of questions.. computer is turning itself off

williamd

williamd

williamd

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Computer is turning itself off whenever I am running more than a couple of things at once. E.g. about ten minutes ago, I was:

playing a video
playing music
installing software

I think generally this is caused by overheating? Is there anything obvious I can do so that I don't have to take this into get it repaired. New fans? Are they easy to install?


If I do have to take it in, thing is I have a lot of - how can I put it, sensitive data on my machine. I'm slightly uncomfortable taking it to a shop. Do people tend to look through all your stuff? I guess not but if I worked repairing computers, I might be tempted to be nosey once in a while.

Thanks
 
New fans wont help you here.

If it is overheating (which it could be) then it will probably be heating of the CPU that is causing it. This may need reseating. You can check your temps by running CPUz (free doenload - google it) and you will be able to see. Post your core temps back here.

I personally think that it is something else. Has anyone tried to overclock this machine?

If an OC has not been tested properly then you can end up with these sort of shutdowns.
 
I actually built the machine and it's been fine for 3 years.

The last couple of days though it has been noticably sluggish - even browsing, opening new tabs etc is taking a second when it should be instant. I feel like my computer is slowly dying.

Thing is even though I managed to build the thing, it was a long time ago and I can't claim to know completely what I'm doing (although 3 years of stability can't count for nothing).

I will check the temps and post them, thanks.
 
3 years of stability can count for nothing, if for example your CMOS has been reset and you lost your settings..

If you are confident that is OK then check temps and also get and run memtest 86+ (also free, do a google) and that will check your memory out. A stick could be faulty and causing you issues.
 
Couldn't find the temp displayed on cpu z - am I that stupid?

But anyway, coretemp seems to think my computer has a fever?

cpuzcoretemp.jpg
 
Coretemp is normally pretty good Ive found.

I would suggest buying some new thermal paste and cleaner - then removing the heatsink, cleaning it and the CPU and then reseating with some fresh paste.

I would also suggest a good clean out of the PC - ie dust as this can stop airflow which helps raise temps - also check all of your fans are running okay.
 
I think Divide by Zero meant HW Monitor, not CPU-Z, but Coretemp is good enough.

Reseat the CPU heatsink with some new thermal paste?
 
williamd said:
How long did you put that in for Lynn? It's hotter than the sun.
Click to expand...

The temperature inside this apple pie is over 1000 degrees. If I squeeze it, a jet of molten bramley apple will squirt out. Could go your way; could go mine. Either way, one of us is going down! :D
 
Jesus!!! Power down and reseat your CPU heatsync.

Ideally use MX3 thermal paste or soemthing like that.

Also, check the fan on your heat sink is still worknig and that it is all free from dust.

Heat will be your issue.
 
What should a healthy temperature be? I'm sure it used to be in the 30s and 40s? 100 seems pretty high to me?

Should I buy a new fan for it (is this called a heatsink?). If so, how do I know which one will fit.

If it helps, my motherboard is a Gigabyte EP35-DS4 and the CPU is a Core 2 duo E6400.

Thanks
 
Divide by Zero said:
Jesus!!! Power down and reseat your CPU heatsync.

Ideally use MX3 thermal paste or soemthing like that.

Also, check the fan on your heat sink is still worknig and that it is all free from dust.

Heat will be your issue.
Click to expand...

When you say check the fan, is there an app for that too? Or is this achieved by looking at the thing?
 
ok, on your motherboard is a big flat chip (your CPU)... on top of this should be a big heap of metal (heatsink) on this should be a fan (fan). The fan should be spinning and when you put the heatsink on the CPU you shoudl have used some thermal paste.

I will link you up in a sec.
 
Ok thanks - if I decide fan / heatsink (what's the difference) isn't working, can you let me know which ones I can buy which will fit?

I don't know if it's dependant on motherboard / cpu but details are above. Thanks for helping.
 
Ok it's still spining. Nearly took my lip off! (More Alan Partridge :D)

Well, replace lip with finger.

I take it that means I just need to clean it somehow.
 
Thanks for your help.

check out my new temps :)

tempesh.jpg


I didn't use any thermal paste as I haven't got any but I cleared A LOT of crap out of the heatsink. Think there were a few rodents living down there.

Anyway, computer is running very nicely again and didn't cost a penny. Think the temps are fine so won't bother getting any paste.

One question though. What damage might I have caused running at 100 degrees for the past couple of days?
 
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