Is there another reason...thermal shut down?

My CPU temperature is well within the norms...according to a hardware/analog temp gauge. The computer just shut down when the temp was at 32°.

I was having trouble with it shutting down but it only did it at higher temps. I've opened the box and have a small house fan blowing directly onto the mobo. I have no money right now so I can't replace the psu, which, is the likely cause...yes/no?

Is there something else heating up that causes a shut down and is there something I can do about it?

Is there something else I can do to make it run cooler?

Thanks!

 

A video card overheating can cause issues. But it does sound like your PSU is going out. Have you tried checking the voltages on the PSU? A multimeter is the best way, but Everest will give you a software reading:http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html

Good program to have.

 

Everest is good, but the free version hasn't been updated in a couple years and may not give accurate (or any) voltage or temp readings. Here's some other free apps to look into:
HWMonitor
PC Wizard
Let us know what you find out!

 

This fan is not opposing airflow into the psu is it?
There are also thermal cutouts in the psu. If this unit overheats it can cause the problems you describe.
But so can poor connections, failing memory....
Strip down and clean everything, reseat modules including processor.
Check /replace the processor heatsink compound.

 

I don't think so. It's a little difficult to describe but it's a medium tower, so the psu sits high. The fan is pointed down and back, so it actually looks like it's helping the psu's circulation. I do know the fan is helping to extend session time.

Cool. That's good to know.

I cleaned everything. Noob question: do I need a grounding cable before I start reseating modules?

dlb, I haven't got the 2 programs installed that you recommended yet. The following is from Everest and, I think, indicates that the heatsink compound is compromised, party because the mobo temp, at test time, was registering the same as the temp on the CPU's hardware temp gauge. It looks like the builder connected the sensor to the mobo instead of the CPU?

Just in case it's important the gauge has 2 readouts: CPU-31.0.°C, RPM:3300...no idea what the rpms are supposed to be but it is connected to a pot and I've got it maxed.

========================
Temperatures:
Motherboard 32 °C (90 °F)
CPU 45 °C (113 °F)
Aux 31 °C (88 °F)
========================

Do the following values look right?

Cooling Fans:
CPU 3309 RPM

Voltage Values:
CPU Core 1.68 V
+5 V 4.89 V
+12 V 12.34 V
-12 V -12.45 V
-5 V -5.05 V
+5 V Standby 4.85 V
VBAT Battery 3.20 V
DIMM 2.46 V
AGP 1.49 V


By the way, thanks for the help, everybody!

 

Including inside the psu?

I don't bother and have never blown anything with static. But then I wear natural fibres, walk on grounded floors and avoid placing modules on plastic surfaces when I remove them (wood or paper is good).

Remember to disconnect the cpu from the mains before playing. Modern motherboards are always live, even when shut down.

 

Thanks, Studiot!

Hmm? I did a search and didn't find anything about how to clean a psu. What I did do was blow air from the back of the pc inward and had a vacuum on the inside vents, and then blew from inside rearward with the vacuum on the fan shroud.

Do I need to do anything else?

Might be a dumb idea, but...would WD-40 be good if I carefully sprayed it on the bearings? It disapates (sp?) water and has worked well on other types of fans. Also, I've sprayed it directly into the contacts on the turn signal switches on my motorcycle. It caused the electrical connection to work again and made it easier to press/release. My point is I don't think it would short-out anything and would lube the bearing. Any thoughts?

 

I normally just blow through with an airline, but they are easy to open, only a couple of screws. Look for areas of burning or components that look like melted candles. Without full experience you would be unlikely to service any further yourself.

When you blow make sure the fan blades are stopped with a pencil or screwdriver.

Another possibility is bad capacitors on the motherboard or in the psu.

www.badcaps.net

WD40 will do no harm, but don't spray it generally, you need to get it on fan bearings. Only do this if the fans are noisy.