help for my PC

april09 · 09-10-2009, 1:45 AM

My computer sometimes power off suddenly. Does any one know the reason?The temperature of my computer is too high. Anyone knows how to cool it down?

HumVee · 09-11-2009, 12:09 AM

april09, I have some questions for you:

What is the air temperature of the room when this happens?
~
How old is your computer?
~
Do you live in a dusty environment?
~
How is the computer positioned? Is it against a wall?
~
Are all the fans spinning? There probably are 1 or more power supply cooling fans, a CPU fan, graphics processor fan and case fan. You won't be able to see many of these unless you open the case (which usually involves unscrewing a couple of big knurled knobs or pulling a latch).

The most common reason for this situation is when the power supply overheats (often due to high ambient temperatures or lots of dust bunnies clogging the venting or the venting being blocked by being pressed up against a wall or furniture - or simply from being worn out). You want at least 6 inches between the vents and walls.

If you want to open the case and check for dust bunnies, be sure to unplug the power from the wall and wait 30 seconds for the built up charge to disipate. Don't touch any of the circuitry inside - use a plastic tipped vacuum nozzle to suck up lint & dust built up on cooling fins, fans, intake & exit grills, etc. You need to have the power plugged in to check to see if all the fans are spinning - but please be extremely cautious doing this. Anything falling into the exposed components can cause an electrical short, and there's always the potential for a fire or injury. If you don't feel comfortable opening a case with power plugged in...don't do it!

If those simple fixes don't resolve the issue, then you have a more serious situation. Your CPU cooling fan may have failed, or the heatsink may have become dismounted slightly from the CPU (mounting brackets sometimes crack). The power supply may be failing. If you have a local computer shop that won't charge an arm & a leg, you can get a quote for repair from them. I wouldn't spend more than 50% of the cost it would be to get another computer you'd be happy with. You can also check Craigslist in your area to see if there's a used computer you can pick up for a reasonable price.

april09 · 09-11-2009, 4:28 AM

It seems to have nothing with the air temperature, because in winter it still happens. My computer was just three years old and I am not living in a dusty environment. Usually I just put my compute on the table not against a wall. I will do as you say to check out my PC. Thank you so much for your detailed reply.

09-10-2009, 1:45 AM	#1
april09 Join Date: Sep 02 2009 Location: US Posts: 30	help for my PC My computer sometimes power off suddenly. Does any one know the reason?The temperature of my computer is too high. Anyone knows how to cool it down?

09-11-2009, 12:09 AM	#2
HumVee Join Date: May 11 2009 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,254	Re: help for my PC april09, I have some questions for you: What is the air temperature of the room when this happens? ~ How old is your computer? ~ Do you live in a dusty environment? ~ How is the computer positioned? Is it against a wall? ~ Are all the fans spinning? There probably are 1 or more power supply cooling fans, a CPU fan, graphics processor fan and case fan. You won't be able to see many of these unless you open the case (which usually involves unscrewing a couple of big knurled knobs or pulling a latch). The most common reason for this situation is when the power supply overheats (often due to high ambient temperatures or lots of dust bunnies clogging the venting or the venting being blocked by being pressed up against a wall or furniture - or simply from being worn out). You want at least 6 inches between the vents and walls. If you want to open the case and check for dust bunnies, be sure to unplug the power from the wall and wait 30 seconds for the built up charge to disipate. Don't touch any of the circuitry inside - use a plastic tipped vacuum nozzle to suck up lint & dust built up on cooling fins, fans, intake & exit grills, etc. You need to have the power plugged in to check to see if all the fans are spinning - but please be extremely cautious doing this. Anything falling into the exposed components can cause an electrical short, and there's always the potential for a fire or injury. If you don't feel comfortable opening a case with power plugged in...don't do it! If those simple fixes don't resolve the issue, then you have a more serious situation. Your CPU cooling fan may have failed, or the heatsink may have become dismounted slightly from the CPU (mounting brackets sometimes crack). The power supply may be failing. If you have a local computer shop that won't charge an arm & a leg, you can get a quote for repair from them. I wouldn't spend more than 50% of the cost it would be to get another computer you'd be happy with. You can also check Craigslist in your area to see if there's a used computer you can pick up for a reasonable price.

09-11-2009, 4:28 AM	#3
april09 Join Date: Sep 02 2009 Location: US Posts: 30	Re: help for my PC It seems to have nothing with the air temperature, because in winter it still happens. My computer was just three years old and I am not living in a dusty environment. Usually I just put my compute on the table not against a wall. I will do as you say to check out my PC. Thank you so much for your detailed reply.