Author Topic: Computer Help (Read 1210 times)

Edbert1 · « **Reply #30 on:** May 11, 2006, 05:42:16 AM »

Simple test for the overheating theory...

Boot up and let it alone, see if it reboots. Without any programs running no PC should initiate a thermal shutdown.

deSelys · « **Reply #31 on:** May 11, 2006, 08:06:12 AM »

Your method is only valid in safe mode, Oddbert, b/c some resident (evil) progs can use up a lot of resource without any human interaction (i.e. the world community grid client - but, to be honest, that's what it's designed for....)

Saintaw · « **Reply #32 on:** May 11, 2006, 08:32:44 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by eagl
Skuzzy needs a cold shower

*drum roll*

lazs2 · « **Reply #33 on:** May 11, 2006, 08:58:10 AM »

since you guys are so savy.... why would it take allmost ten minutes for a computer to restart? It shuts down ok but just a black screen with a blinking "_" for about 5 minutes or so... then XP comes up but nothing will start up for a few more minutes at which time everything works normally..

I even get good framerates in AH.

lazs

lukster · « **Reply #34 on:** May 11, 2006, 09:04:02 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by lazs2
since you guys are so savy.... why would it take allmost ten minutes for a computer to restart? It shuts down ok but just a black screen with a blinking "_" for about 5 minutes or so... then XP comes up but nothing will start up for a few more minutes at which time everything works normally..

I even get good framerates in AH.

lazs

I've seen this happen on machines that were imaged. Even though the hardware appeared to be identical, it wasn't.

Kaw1000 · « **Reply #35 on:** May 11, 2006, 09:38:04 AM »

How do you check computer for tempature?? is there a place in windows that tells how hot it is??...I can tell you that when I put my hand behind his computer fan its is alot hotter than mine...and we have the exact same computer.

Edbert1 · « **Reply #36 on:** May 11, 2006, 09:48:21 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Kaw1000
How do you check computer for tempature?? is there a place in windows that tells how hot it is??...I can tell you that when I put my hand behind his computer fan its is alot hotter than mine...and we have the exact same computer.

There are 3rd pary apps that can display this in real-time. There are also hardware devices that you can plug into drive bays. Most BIOSes will show you this info too (free) but they cannot show you that while your system is running whatever app is causing the high CPU loads.

My rig runs hot (nowhere near a thermal shutdown) only during long game sessions, I've not found a "normal" desktop app that can peg the CPU for a long time other than games or the "SETI at Home" type of stuff.

Kaw1000 · « **Reply #37 on:** May 11, 2006, 01:27:51 PM »

Problem solved!!!...It had a cooling fan that was'nt working!!
Thanks sooo much for all your help guys!! Nice to know I can come here and get so much help!!:aok

indy007 · « **Reply #38 on:** May 11, 2006, 01:34:04 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Kaw1000
Problem solved!!!...It had a cooling fan that was'nt working!!
Thanks sooo much for all your help guys!! Nice to know I can come here and get so much help!!:aok

You're lucky. Similar was going on with my roommate's PC last night. I thought it was a heat problem since he picked a very, very budget case. Pulled off the side panel, setup 3 desk fans blowing directly on it, and made him play World of Warcraft. It shut itself off again. Had a faint smell of burning plastic... but I wanted to be sure before I started pulling it apart. Switched the PSU this morning, and it's been stable for a few hours now. Hopefully that got it

Kaw1000 · « **Reply #39 on:** May 11, 2006, 01:55:28 PM »

Well Its not fixed:o the cooling fan was bad...replaced it and now....the guy hears a popping noise and it shuts off ...help again!!!:mad:

indy007 · « **Reply #40 on:** May 11, 2006, 01:58:04 PM »

Grab a power supply that you know works, swap it out, try it again.

Worked for me! PC repairs are mainly just a big list of trial & error. Experience lets you skip steps and narrow it down faster... but it's still the same plug & pray proccess for alot of components

Skuzzy · « **Reply #41 on:** May 11, 2006, 02:13:34 PM »

Popping? Hmmmmm,...popcorn. PATENT IT!

Hajo · « **Reply #42 on:** May 11, 2006, 02:30:21 PM »

Skuzzy...I think he's mistaken....not the PC that's broke it's the microwave oven!

lazs2 · « **Reply #43 on:** May 11, 2006, 02:46:53 PM »

"I've seen this happen on machines that were imaged. Even though the hardware appeared to be identical, it wasn't."

I have no idea what that means... I am not very puter savy I am afraid.

Also.. edbert... what is a good program to check CPU temp?

lazs

deSelys · « **Reply #44 on:** May 11, 2006, 03:33:51 PM »

Lazs, you can only check your CPU temp if there is a sensor built-in on the motherboard.

If there is one, you'll find the monitoring program on the MB manufacturer website.

Or, as some have pointed, you can also check temps in the BIOS pages (the hit del or F2 at startup thing). Of course, no OS is running at this time but you would be able to see if there is a gross overheating.

About the 10 min needed to reboot, I believe that Windows is slowly making a mess of itself after some time (12-24 months) and needs more time to startup and shutdown...it's probably a bad management of the registry database. The only cure that really works is a re-installation