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Topic: Still Doing It |
Colby Tipton
From:
Crosby, Texas, USA
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Posted 4 Feb 2008 6:45 am |
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I was having trouble with a new computer cutting off on me.
Jack Stoner recomended checking to see if it was the power saving feature or the sleep mode.
I set both to never and thought I had it fixed, evidently I was wrong.
It started doing it again.
Do you think I should reinstall the software that came with the computer to try to clear this up? |
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Cal Sharp
From:
the farm in Kornfield Kounty, TN
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Posted 4 Feb 2008 7:42 am
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Could be that your CPU is getting too hot, although that's not likely on a new comp. You could open the case and train a desk fan on the innards and see if that fixes it, or download a CPU temperature monitoring software app. There are free ones available if you Google it.
_________________
C#
Me: Steel Guitar Madness
Latest ebook: Steel Guitar Insanity
Custom Made Covers for Steel Guitars & Amps at Sharp Covers Nashville |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 4 Feb 2008 8:17 am
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Colby;
Random sudden shutdowns, without the benefit of a BSOD, usually indicated thermal protection kicking in. Normally, a driver conflict will either cause a BSOD, with a debug screenful of gibberish, or a restart. Thermal shutdowns just turn off the power to protect the CPU from meltdown.
You really need to open the right side of the case and use a flashlight to closely examine the heatsink on the CPU. See if there are broken flanges if it clamps down to a frame on the motherboard, or look for lifting on one foot, if it has four press in locking feet. If there is evidence that the heatsink is loose and it uses press-in clamping feet, press down on the mounts with your thumb and listen for a click. If you hear one you may have saved your computer. If you press too hard, you could destroy it. There is a fine balance between fixing and ruining a motherboard when reseating a CPU and heatsink.
If the heatsink has actually lifted off of the CPU, to any degree, it may be necessary to remove it and re-apply fresh thermal grease to the unit.
Aside from a loose CPU heatsink, another cause of sudden shutdowns is leaking coupling capacitors. Point your flashlight onto each electrolytic capacitor (the small cylinders with metal tops, standing vertically off the motherboard) and look for any oozing fluid, or bulging near the top. If you see any evidence of leaking capacitors the motherboard is toast and the computer should be returned for an exchange.
If neither of the above apply it might be an intermittent failure of some other component. In that case return the unit.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Colby Tipton
From:
Crosby, Texas, USA
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Posted 6 Feb 2008 4:28 pm
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I think it may be fixed now.
I had to reload my video driver.
I think Jack had mentioned that one.
Thanks for everyones help.
Colby |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 6 Feb 2008 4:42 pm
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| Just a note on the CPU temperature monitoring. Most consumer model Dell's (Dimension and Inspiron model desktops) do not have CPU temperature monitoring capability. I don't know about others. |
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Colby Tipton
From:
Crosby, Texas, USA
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Posted 7 Feb 2008 3:44 pm
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Jack,
It's a Gateway, about the best one they sale at the big stores.
Seems to be working fine now, I'll keep my fingers crossed. |
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