Hi all,
here’s my story. My husband built our computer himself, while I have NO idea, I mean, I can surf the web and I can run the virus scan, defrag and that kinda stuff, but I sure as hell don’t know much about PC’s…
Now since a couple of months (and its been getting way worse), the computer keeps shutting down, no warning and nothing, mosty, when I play certain games. Now, after removing those games and staying away from them, it still happened!!! My husband is overseas and he can’t help me, he told me to open it up and clean it out, which I did. I also took it to our computer repair store, but they’re too busy to look at it right now and this is my only way of communicating with my husband.
Anyhow, long story short, does anyone here have an idea what it could be and what could solve it? I suspect one of the fans in here not running properly and the computer-repair-store-guy said it could be overheating, but then, why can I turn it back on right away?
I’d appreciate some advice, if not, its ok, thanks for your time anyways!
Anne
Hi acos,
First of all, this board is for the PAID LivePCSupport product, only.
In common, as a response to your problem:
[1] you shall check Event Viewer about System and Application errors. If you see many different issues, that can lead to the source.
[2] either download a fan checker software (there are many over the Internet) or check the degrees right away in the BIOS, when your computer is restarting (usually, you can enter into the BIOS with the DEL or F2 or maybe with F10 or F8 buttons). If you see that the over all starting CPU heat is nearly/over - example - 70C°, you shall check the CPU fan (working? dirty?). If the CPU fan is ok, there are usually 2 more fans:
a.) the fan on the motherboard (you shall see its heat in the BIOS).
b.) the fan on the video card (you may need a specific software to check this out, you may not see this from BIOS).
c.) there can be other fans on the PC, which shall help the overall cooling, but that shouldn’t cause this serious issue;
If the fans are ok, you may have different problems (Event Viewer shall give you some clues about this), some examples:
- remove softwares you’ve installed since the problems (and before the actual problem);
- memory related: you’ll need to use a bootable memory checker (such as memtest86 or windows memory diagnostic, write it onto a blank CD and boot from that);
- power source related: your PSU unit or the wires got a problem, check the output and manufacturer (it is a no-name or company who got name, etc.);
- winchester related: at first, you shall do a common disk check (right-click the drives anc check them), then - if nothing is better - a HDD check with a manufacturer (seagate, maxtor, hitachi, etc. all got checker softwares you write onto a CD, so you can boot from them) provided software;
I do NOT want to convince you to use an anwill to resolve the problem, maybe this is another problem, etc. Please, use the 30day trial and let COMODO stuff check your computer, so they can specify what steps you shall do (or maybe they can even fix it right away ;)).
Hi acos sorry to hear about your problems. Especially because you are left to your own devices in this. You sound like a fairly experienced user. I just added some extra comments to Arkangyal’s advice to help you troubleshoot what’s happening
Go to Start → Control Panel → Administrative Tools → Event viewer. Notify us of all events that are marked with a red icon.
[2] either download a fan checker software (there are many over the Internet) or check the degrees right away in the BIOS, when your computer is restarting (usually, you can enter into the BIOS with the DEL or F2 or maybe with F10 or F8 buttons). If you see that the over all starting CPU heat is nearly/over - example - 70C°, you shall check the CPU fan (working? dirty?).My favorite tool for this is [url=http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php]Speedfan[/url]. When you see a lot of dust on the CPU heatsink (underneath the CPU fan) please remove it. Try your vacuum cleaner (Hoover) by holding it straight above the CPu fan. See it that gets rid off the dust. Beware to keep the vacuum cleaner's mouth at least half a feet distance from the motherboard (static electricity)
If the CPU fan is ok, there are usually 2 more fans: a.) the fan on the motherboard (you shall see its heat in the BIOS). b.) the fan on the video card (you may need a specific software to check this out, you may not see this from BIOS). c.) there can be other fans on the PC, which shall help the overall cooling, but that shouldn't cause this serious issue;Make sure they are free of dust. They may be way close to the mother board. Try blowing away the dust with your mouth.
If the fans are ok, you may have different problems (Event Viewer shall give you some clues about this), some examples: - remove softwares you've installed since the problems (and before the actual problem);
- memory related: you'll need to use a bootable memory checker (such as memtest86 or windows memory diagnostic, write it onto a blank CD and boot from that);For memory testing I usually use [url=http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp]Windiag[/url] from Microsoft. Let it run for 10 rounds. When it reports one or more errors let us know.
- power source related: your PSU unit or the wires got a problem, check the output and manufacturer (it is a no-name or company who got name, etc.);In case this got faulty after your husband went overseas (is he an army man?). Start with removing dust from it from the outside. When the fan is on the outside simply use your vacuum cleaner at close proximity. When the fan is on the inside you have to take it out of the case (use ■■■■■ driver,etc) and vacuum clean from a close distance. When you like a challenge temporarily change your PSU with one from a neighbour or friend.
- winchester related: at first, you shall do a common disk check (right-click the drives anc check them), then - if nothing is better - a HDD check with a manufacturer (seagate, maxtor, hitachi, etc. all got checker softwares you write onto a CD, so you can boot from them) provided software;To see what brand of HDD you are using go to Start --> Control Panel --> Administrative Tools --> Computer Management --> Device manager --> Disk drives --> click on the plus sign to open and see the brand.
I do NOT want to convince you to use an anwill to resolve the problem, maybe this is another problem, etc. Please, use the 30day trial and let COMODO stuff check your computer, so they can specify what steps you shall do (or maybe they can even fix it right away ;)).Keep us posted
hi acos ,
first, try use comodo CSC(comodo system clear) clear to you PC’s system. and use comodo scan virus, and download fan cool software. if all to failure. I think you can only replace a fan of your PC.
Thank you all for your advice, sorry for the not-comodo-related, but I’m desperate LOL
I don’t really understand any of your suggestions (So much for the fairly experienced 
So thanks EricJH for the details! :-TU I checked the Event Viewer and I get a very long list with many, many i’s, a bunch of exclamation marks and red x’s. But when I try to look at the details, it tells me something about it being corrupt!??!?
As for the speedfan, would I have to download that, I’m looking at the link, but its a little confusing… What exactly do I install?
My next suspicion is, there are 3 heat indicators at the door of the tower, the one on the bottom says “Fan speed” But its light is off. Does that mean its not working? That’s where I actually need someone to look at, I’m sure… The other two are light, but all three of them have their indicators all the way to the left… Does that tell us anything?
Which one is the CPU fan, is that the one, thats the hardest to get to? I see three fans in here, the 2 I could undust with canned air, but the one on top I can’t get to. I’m too scared to take it off, thou, quite frankly… Maybe I should grow some balls LOL
Bottom line, does my issue sound like a heat-issue?
Again, thanks a bunch! :-TU
P.S.: Yes, EricJH, he’s Army LOL
I just checked the “BIOS” and found out that the CPU Temp was 76 and rising! It also said the CPU Fan Speed is 0 rpm, so its not working? Should I get a screwdriver? Could that resolve the issue? If so, I WILL grow some balls LOL
Hi acos.
One quick check to make before doing anything rash :). The fan on the CPU cooler is generally attached to the motherboard by a short cable, this is how it gets the power to drive the fan. Make sure that cable is attached.
If it is and the fan is still not rotating, it might indicate a problem with the motherboard.
It would be useful to know a few more details about your hardware and a great little free utility that will also monitor your temps is HWiNFO32. you can get it from here:
Sure sounds like you could need a new CPU fan and or a cleaning.
Can you power off. Remove the Left side cover. Power on and look while PC is on at the fan on the CPU.
It should be spinning, it will probably be sitting, ■■■■■■■ to a block of aluminum fins to cool the CPU.
Don’t touch anything.
If you determine that you need a fan and cleaning. Power down the PC, Unplug, the cords from back.
Before you ever touch anything inside make sure you touch the metal case first to avoid static discharge.
Don’t touch anything you don’t have too.
You should see it’s easy to remove the four screws and one electrical connection for the fan.
Note where the electrical connection goes on the motherboard.
Match it up with a new one at a local PC shop.
Clean as others have described using a vacuum and making sure to not touch anything inside with the end of the nozzle. You may also use a soft clean paint brush to gently stroke through dust packed in the cooling fins under and around where the fan goes.
Install the new fan, make sure it blows into the fins, usually arrows on the side of fan.
Be gentle tightening the screws the aluminum is very soft.
Plug the electrical connector to the motherboard.
Connect the power cord to back of PC and power on to make sure new fan is working and there is nothing interfering with it.
If it’s all looking good. Power off. reconnect everything and put the side cover back on.
Power back on and enjoy.
Ask here for more info as developments unfold.
Bad
THank you Quill,
I just took it apart and cleaned it, made sure all cables are attached, etc. Its definetly not working! So I guess I’m ■■■■■■■ and gotta buy a new one?
I wish I could give you more details, but I have absolutely NO CLUE!!! I don’t know where he got the motherboard, I don’t even know which of these things in there IS the motherboard LOL I mean, thanks to you all I now know, what a CPU Fan is…
I’m so ■■■■■■■…
I’m surprised it’s working, thou… I guess it just gets too hot, when I do certain things, as the messenger and email, etc work no problem…
Thank you so much Bad!!! I guess I’m gonna have to buy a new one. How do I know which one? Would it be the safest to just unplug it, take it to the store and tell them “This one?” I’m sorry I’m so stupid LOL But I so appreciate you all’s help, you have no idea!!!
Now that you’ve had a look inside if you’re not comfortable with a screwdriver,
sure just take it to a shop and ask them to check and change the fan.
This should be fairly cheap, but shop rates are high so I’m all about taking out the fan and just going to a shop and asking them for an exact replacement.
A Do It Your Self project.
Bad
acos. In all honesty, replacing the CPU cooler is a little more tricky than you might imagine. I’d seriously suggest taking it to your local PC repair shop for a replacement.
The problem is, there are several different configurations for CPU coolers, the correct type will; depend on, for instance, your CPU manafacturer. It may be Intel or perhaps AMD. The age of the hardware will also make a difference.
If that’s not enough to convince you, also consider that when attaching the cooler to the CPU, a very thing film of a special grease needs to be applied. If this is not done correctly, it can cause a variety of problems.
By the way, the Motherboard is the rectangular plastic looking board at the bottom, to which virtually everything attaches, it’s quite often a nice bright colour.
Just to pick up on something Bad Frogger said, if the fan is integrated, you will almost certainly have to replace the entire cooler. if, on the other hand, you can clearly see the fan is attached externally, it may be possible to replace it. That assumes, of course that it’s the fan that’s broken…
Apologies , I came in here late and didn’t read enough of what had previously transpired.
Quill 's approach is safer and more logical especially given you have already cleaned some and we can’t verify what you are looking at. re. the three fans and one hard to reach.
Gawd only knows what hubby may have installed some exotic cooler.
Don’t have a Digi camera for maybe post a pic of what your looking at?
Bad
One other thing you could do, it would tell us a little more:
Open the start menu and in the Run menu type msinfo32 [press Enter]
When the new window opens, on the left click Summary (if it’s not already selected) In the right window you should see some information:
System manufacturer:
System model:
System type:
Processor:
If you can fill in the blanks and post them here…
When you re-equip ‘CPU Fan’, check the direction for ‘CPU Fan cable’(proper direction or not).
From now on DO NOT TOUCH your computer anymore.
Becuase when you re-equip ‘CPU Fan’, I recommend you put some ‘Thermal Grease’ on CPU or FAN.
I think there is no other way you can do.
You are ruining your computer more and more.
DO NOT TOUCH!!
Bring it to computer shop.
System manufacturer: unknown
System model: unknown
System type: x86-based PC
Processor: x86Family 15 Model 107 Stepping 2 Authentic AMD ~2599 Mhz
Not helping very much, is it?
And fyi: I love you all! I feel so much better already, just being helped LOL I’ll talk to hubby tomorrow morning and see what he says, unfortunately the computer shop is so busy, they would 've kept the computer for at least a week and I can’t go that long without it!
Creasy: The computer repair guy already told me, that thermal stuff might be hardened (PC was built 05/2008) and not working properly anymore and that might cause all those problems…
Well, thank you all a thousand times for taking all this time and trying your best to help me!!! :-TU
@Bad: Not sure how to post a picture here :-[ Like I don’t cause enough erruption already LOL
Well, one thing we do know, it’s an AMD chip Sounds like it could be an Athlon Dual Core x64, but no guarantees. That narrows the cooler choice down a little
Easiest way to post a picture, assuming you can save it to your PC, is to use the Reply/Additional options and attach the pic. try not to make it too big
I hope this helps/works…
Speaking of which. I think the fan is working right now! Could that be? Because I can’t see its fins (?) and I installed HWiNFO32 and the temp keeps dropping…
[attachment deleted by admin]
Thank you for that. Now I’m baffled. Normally, the CPU is where that black blob with fins is, so what;s the bronze coloured mass?
If it’s passively cooled, i.e. no fan, then that’s not your problem, unless it’s extremely hot in your home?
Does HWinfo show a figure for CPU fan speed?