Over Heating?

I was wondering where to start with a computer that keeps randomly shutting down. It is my siblings pc. My temps run at a smooth 100F or less on all temps. Her's are a little different. I ran some scans and she doesn't appear to have any viruses. wondering where I should start?

CPU 173F
MotherBoard 172F
HardDrive 122

 

we need the system specs. Different CPUs have different tollerances. My AMD will run stable at 90c under load but my parents intel will fail at 80c

incidently if you have the temps in celcius as well that would be helpful.

 

ok well no machine should be running at 100 celcius, woah,

what are you using to view your temps? i recommend using coretemp and speed fan, if you can grab some readings off that for me i will advise you the rest

 

OP listed the temps in Fahrenheit.

They still sound pretty hot, though.

 

This is correct.

Here is the pic for the specs...........

 

That looks way too hot for safety if it's just running that program, have you checked that the fans are actually running, as in blowing out hot air?

 

Wow, motherboard is also over 80C/195F? Something wrong with your temp sensor there, at least for the motherboard. That shouldn't ever go much higher than 40C/100F.

 

I assure you when I put my hand on this thing it is very hot. It does shut down within an hour and half after running.

Thanks guys(gals?), I will have to take it apart and see what is going on. Any advice/user guide to taking apart you pc?

 

The main guide is how to reapply TIM(Thermal Interface Material) after cleaning the old gunk off properly of both the CPU and the heatsink assembly. Here's a good video. I've used %70 alcohol with good results.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRRWbQUqW1Y

 

You need to look at your case fans as well. If you HD and MB are hot then the air inside your case is probably hot which means that even if you change you themal paste your CPU temp wont come down because the air in the case is as hot as the heatsink. You need to get the hot air out and cool air in.

 

You have been given excellent advice and i can only echo what others have said.

I can only assume that this PC has not always had this problem and that it has developed recently?

Is the tower stood with the rear close to a wall as this will restrict the air flow also is the front of the PC clear and the fine mesh that guards the fans free from dust, pet hairs and general household fluff.

I would certainly open the side of the Tower and check that the fans are actually turning and there are no obstructions to stop the air flow.

One last thought, if the room where the PC is situated is very warm it could effect the temps but definitely not to the extent of warming that you have but we are looking at all possibilities.

 

Hi everyone,

There seems to be seems to be some confusion. She is running on a laptop, no tower or anything else. Mostly on a kitchen table.

I tried to feel air from the fan, but could not, how do I know for sure if it is broke? Is there a program that shows it working or not working? And is there a manual that shows how to take apart a laptop to view the fans? Or replace te fan?

Lots of questions I know, I appreciate your help on this.

 

I must admit i thought it was a tower.
If you give us the make and model number we can try to help.

To find if the fan is working just take a small piece of paper and hold it near the outlet and it should move away from the vent.

One way to help cooling on a laptop is to raise the back of the PC by putting a book or such just under the rear so it lifts it from the table, i suspect we will need to go further with our investigation as the temps you gave us are very high and normally not just a problem of air flow.

So if you can give us the details it would help.

 

I suspect your fan is dead. I echo BILLMCC66 method for checking. Most manufacturers dont provide disasembly instructions as it means you have to send it back to them or an authorised service centre for repair. However some people have written their own guides and google can help you with this. Post the make and model and we may be able to help.

If your laptop is under warrenty then send it back to the manufacturer as you will invalidate the warrenty as soon as you take a screw out. For the above mentioned reasons parts can be difficult to obtain as well however ebay can be very good for parts.

 

1) how old is the laptop?
2) i dont think the fan is fully dead.. it would shut down before 1.5hrs..
3) i suspect the fan is full of dust and vents are possibly blocked.
4) tell us the make and model.. if this is the first time you are taking a computer apart, but careful to keep grounding yourself, make notes of where stuff comes from (a camera helps too!) and if its really old some new thermal compound will be needed.
*EQL*

 

http://tim.id.au/laptops/acer/aspire 5517.pdf
here is the aspire 5517 service guide
*EQL*

 

Typically Event Viewer will list why your computer unexpectedly shuts down, it did when my CPU was overheating. You are right at the temperature limit for an AMD Athlon 64 TF-20 processor (95 c/203 f) assuming you have an Acer Aspire 5517 un-modded..

Follow the steps that others have replied with. I do strongly agree with re-applying new thermal paste to your CPU. If cleaning and applying new thermal paste doesn't solve your problem I would assume it'll be your fan which at that point should be replaced.

 

Yes it is. Says I have to take everything apart to get to the fan.

 

yup. laptops like to locate the fan and CPU under EVERYTHING else.. convenient, eh?

*EQL*

 

MUHAHAHAHAHA, I AM COMPUTER GOD, RULER OF ALL KNOWLEDGE IN COMPUTER SPACE, TIME, AND HISTORY.:liar


Seriously though, Thanks guys. Currently running in a hot house at......

CPU 124F
MotherBoard 126F
HardDrive 105

Edit: Yes the fan was completely covered in dust, not a single bit of air could get through.

 

I take it you disassembled and it worked? just clogged with dust?
enjoy
*EQL*

 

Yes, thanks again all.

 

no prob!

 

Glad you got it sorted brahman.

 

Nice Work! It can be a bit daunting taking a laptop apart for the first time! Do I dare ask how many screws you had left over at the end when you put it back together?? nothing worse than trying to find where that one last screw came from!lol

On a serious note. Glad you got it sorted and we could all help!:clap

 

That is a mother of service guides! I assume that is official Accer documentation and its worth its weight in gold!