Is this a hardware problem?

Hi,

Recently my computer has started crashing at random intervals.

Usually whilst playing games or watching videos.

It will crash suddenly, then I have to wait 5-10mins before it will allow me to turn the computer on again (it crashes at the windows logo).

Here are so details of my computer :

OS : Microsoft Windows XP Professional
CPU : AMD Athalon 62 X2 Dual Core Processor 5200+, 2700MHz
RAM : 1984 MB
Video Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE (256 MB)

My HDD has 60 GB free and I also have another HDD which has 220 GB free.

I have tested my PC for overheating using "HWMonitor" and have also cleaned out all the dust from my PC. (Results below)

If anyone has any more ideas as to why this could be happening I would be happy to hear.

Thanks,

Dane



The results from "HWMonitor" are :
http://i38.tinypic.com/avx5j.png

 

Tmpin2 is getting up there (So is cpu for that matter). I'm thinking Tmpin2 the onboard graphics.
Try cleaning out the gpu heatsink and perhaps reseating it with new thermal paste.

 

Downloaded any software or something lately?

It is probably your graphics card as u got a NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE (256 MB) which is very old because you get 9 series cards these days with 1gb memory

 

i downloaded a new game. avg. alot i guess. could i buy a new plug and play graphics card?

 

How do i do this??

 

There should be some clips or plugs/pins which hold the heat sink onto the motherboard. You need to release the clips or pull the plugs/pins back out of the mother board. Just have a good look first and try to understand how it's attached before you try anything. Then gently lift the heatsink off the GPU. DONT APPLY A LOT OF PRESSURE. If it's hard to get off just leave it and buy a graphics card. I've had some that seemed glued on by whatever compound the manufacturer used. It should come off fairly easily if it's going to.

If you get it off it's a simple matter of cleaning up the top of the GPU and the back of the heatsink with a clean cloth, apply a small amount of thermal paste (you only need a very thin layer, if you put the heatsink back on and there's paste oozeing out, you put on way too much) and then reseating the heatsink.

You should be able to get thermal paste at any computer shop, online or ebay even. Go for arctic silver or another good quality compound with a silver component, it will serve you well for future projects anyway.

Good luck.

 

Hi Dane,

If you do try to take the heat sink off the Processor as XM says, release the clips and before you try to pull the heat sink up try twisting it right and left. It wont move but a tiny bit but, will sometimes release the grip the heat sink compound has on it. If you don't get it loose the Processor will pull out of the "locked" socket and maybe get pin damage. Careful!

Good Luck, Jim

 

I would rather not try this heat sink thing, the computer is fairly new. What kind of graphics card do you recommend I buy ?

 

When something on your computer stops working that you know was working previously then something has changed. Computers are well known for consistent behavior so when something that used to work suddenly stops working, something has definitely changed either in your system setup or your hardware configuration.
Most likely the cause is something that you changed on the system yourself by installing or uninstalling some computer software or hardware.