Couple of questions.. computer is turning itself off

williamd

williamd

williamd

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31 Mar 2007
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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
 
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.
 
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
 
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 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?
 
Thanks - managed to sort it out. Clipping the heatsink back in was my only problem, took ten minutes, probably should have taken 30 seconds.
 
Divide by Zero said:
Ah OK.... glad you are sorted... though I have to say that is the worst temps I have ever seen for just dust getting in the way!!!

If you are worried about dammage, you can run a torture test with prime 95 or super pi... but I would just use it and see how it goes :)
Click to expand...

Yep so much dust (3 years worth to be precise)... maybe so much that it was actually doing nothing at all. I wonder what temps I'd get if I just took it out completely (don't worry, I won't bother checking this).

Anyway, thanks again.
 
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