Computer Overheating?????

[J. Hill]

Computers can overheat for a number or reasons and can present several problems. The first symptom of a computer overheating could be as simple as a blue screen of death, or as frustrating as the computer shutting itself down. When you think you have a heating problem, the first thing to do is check the outside of the computer around the ports where the fans draw air into the computer. Look for dust, the number one cause of overheating. You can clean this dust off several ways. A vacuum, a rag with a little Endust for electronics sprayed on it, canned air, or even a swiffer duster. next you want to open the side cover and look at the fans. If they are clogged, it will restrict airflow also. You especially want to check the heatsink fan for the processor. Here, you want to use canned air to remove it. Also check the Power supply fan. Blow that out with canned air also. Another thing to check is if the fans are turning. Look and see if the blades are turning when the power is on. Listen for noise. If the bearings are worn out or its so clogged with dirt they don't turn, you blow them out with air or replece them if that does not help.  If you know how to, you can take the fans apart and clean them. 

 

If the computer is still overheating, one quick fix temporarily is to leave the side cover off and have a fan blowing into the tower. If this stops the problem then you know you have a problem. The most likely problem is the contact grease between your processor and heatsink is failing. if you are not computer savy, have a friend who is remove the heatsink and clean it off and replace the grease with the silver type. Do not use the white stuff. If you do not have a friend, they you will probably have to pay a technician to have it done. If the computer is over 5 years old, you may want to look at replacing it if you can. If you cannot, then you will have to make do with what you have.

 

Another thing that will cause overheating is if your system is water cooled. The cooling solution will break down after 5 years or so, and may need to be replaced. They call it water cooled, but it is not really water. If it is a sealed unit, then just buy another heatsink and fan and have someone replace it if you do not know how.

 

Another problem that will cause poor air circulation is the placement of the tower. Some people will place a tower on the floor. This will suck all the dust on the floor into the tower. Raise it off the floor with some bricks or books or a small stand. Never place a tower inside something where it cannot get air circulation. Placing a tower inside a computer desk will restrict airflow and cause it to overheat after a while. Better to place it on top where it can get plenty of circulation.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact anyone in your friendly MSO Office for further advise. REMEMBER, the only dumb question is the one not asked.

Edited April 20, 2016 by J. Hill 1st MRB

[Candy 1st MRB]

Hill I moved this to a thread that everyone can see. Some great tips for MRBers and pubbers alike. Keep up the good work.

Edited March 13, 2015 by Candy 1st MRB

[J. Hill]

Thanks MSgt. Candy.

[J. Hill]

There are many things to consider when choosing a replacement graphics card. One thing some people overlook is Overclocking. If you are going to hook up a new graphics card, and it is overclocked, it will be fine for a while. Overclocked cards tend to burn out sooner, especially if your system suffers from overheating from time to time. If you are going to hook up 2 graphics cards together, do NOT get cards that are overclocked. The graphics will be great, but your sound may be choppy. This will make talking in vent extremely hard, as well as the game sound being very annoying. A lesson I learned the hard way.

[J. Hill]

Another thing to watch for and listen to is your hard drive. If you hear a ticking, this means that the arm inside the hard drive is going bad and needs to be replaced immediately. if done immediately, you may be able to copy the old hard drive to the new one and not lose any data. Defrag at least once a month and watch for reports of bad clusters. If to many of these start popping up, replace the hard drive as soon as possible. Nothing is worse than having a hard drive go bad and lose all your pictures, video's and music. Games can be reloaded but lost precious memories through pictures cannot.