Problems after removal

My computer has been working fine for a week or so just doing some programming work. I tried to load up a video game for a bit and it worked for about 5 - 10 minutes then the power cuts off of my computer.

When I attempt to restart the computer right away, I get an error message about the cpu temperature overheating (see attached image)

I thought maybe the video game was corrupt and tried a different game, same problem.

Then I tried to plug the power into its own power strip in a new outlet and the same thing happened. Not sure what to do.

 

You need to unplug the computer from the wall, open the side panel and make sure the interior is clean of heat trapping dust. Then you need to inspect the CPU's heatsink fan (HSF) assembly to ensure it is not clogged with heat trapping dust, and that the fan (all the fans) spin freely. Connect power and boot and see if the fans spin (if you can boot).

 

The computer starts back up after about 5 minutes and runs fine unless a game goes on. I will definitely do what you are saying today, I can clearly see some dust caked up in there.

I am just not sure about how to do the heat sink, the store offered to do that part for $10 so I payed and let them do it.

EDIT: All of the fans are spinning btw.

 

What? The store wanted $10 to clean out the interior? I have never heard of that. Cleaning the interior is something done here automatically when computers come in - and is included as part of any repair.

So if you paid $10 for them to clean it, it should be spotless! You should not see any dust caked in the heatsink fins after only a couple days. Lugging it back to the shop, with a very stern and vocal complaint is what you should do. But breaking down a computer and lugging it around is no fun. So I would still call them to let them know you are NOT a happy customer.

You said this computer worked for a week or so. Is it new? If so, return it for another.

That is a classic symptom of heat problems. Did this computer ever let you play this game without crashing?

If you press F1 to enter setup, look under PC Health (or something similar) and depending on your BIOS, you will see the CPU's temp, and you will (if an option) see the threshold setting for that warning. If there, what is it set to and what are the temps? That said, note that running the BIOS Setup Menu is about the least demanding task we can ask of our computers. So, those readings do not reflect "under load" temps. Still, if high (approaching or exceeding 60°C) in the BIOS, there's a cooling problem somewhere.

Good. So besides the CPU fan and PSU fan, what other fans are there? And for the case fans, are they large (120mm or larger). Those fans are measured across the box (usually) and not diagonally. 120 mm is just shy of 4.75 inches. It is the cases responsibility to provide good front to back flow through the case. And it is the CPU's HSF assembly's responsibility to toss the CPU's heat up into that flow. See if your case will accept more or larger fans.

Who mounted the CPU and its cooler? If mounted at the factory, and the cured bond between the mating surfaces is not broken, then the TIM (thermal interface material) should still be good. If someone else mounted the CPU and HSF assembly, or if the HSF assembly was ever removed, then there needs to be a proper layer of TIM applied. If there is no TIM, it was re-used, or improperly applied, that could be your problem.

Twisting on the heatsink fan assembly is surely one way to break the bond, but at the same time, you need to ensure the heatsink is securely fastened. Visually inspect first, twist only if you need to make sure. If one of the clamps is not properly secured, you should not have to put much twisting force on it to tell if something is loose. If it is loose, you will need to completely remove the heatsink fan assembly, thoroughly clean the two mating surfaces, and apply a fresh new layer of TIM. Be sure to unplug from the wall and touch bare metal before reaching in.

But, your problem could also be RAM, motherboard, or PSU related too. So clearly, with so many potential causes creating the same symptom, this is not an easy problem to fix. If this were on my bench, I would start by cleaning, then if still a problem, I would swap in a known good power supply.

If you wish to clean out your own computer (and this is something EVERY computer user needs to do, as part of being a computer user), we just had a good discussion about it and in this post I comment on using an air compressor, cans of dusting gas, or on rainy days, a vacuum.

I recommend all PC users inspect their case interiors (a good reason for side windows) monthly, and clean when necessary.

Finally, in this part of the world, it is summer. And a scorching one at that. Record 3-digit temps are due where I am. Ambient (room) temperatures play a key and corresponding role in computer cooling. If your room temps are up, so too will be your computer tempts.

 

Little bit of miss communication. I meant that when I bought the parts for the computer, they put the heat gel and heat sync in for me (for the $10). So I don't know how to do that part myself.

There was a ton of dust, the good news is that the computer is running great after cleaning that all out. I was monitoring the cpu temperature, ran super pi and also tried the games they work fine.

I meant that it worked for a week after I did the Malware removal instructions on this forum, so I thought it was related, just a coincidence that the dust took its toll around the same time. It is a few months old and worked great until I had a virus. (now it's working better than I remember it working brand new)

 

I keep an watch full eye on my temps while gaming i use Speccy to do that.
http://majorgeeks.com/Speccy_d6358.html

 

Ah! Thanks for clarifying. And I am glad to hear it is working good now.

For the record, I really like Speccy too - but it does not display the temps in your system tray - the program has to be open for you to see the temps. I use CoreTemp. And I use the CoreTemp Gadget too, and that is very nice.

 

A friend of mine had me monitoring the heat with CoreTemp. I will give Speccy a try. Thank you for all of your help.

 

Speccy, as its name implies, provides the specifications for your hardware. It is not a hardware or PC health "monitor" in the same sense as CoreTemp, SpeedFan, or the like - though it does give real-time updates.

It is not one or the other. CoreTemp starts with Windows and runs all the time in my system tray. And I use Speccy when I want to see everything there is to know about my system.