My computer has been restarting randomly for the last week. This seems to happen whenever I start heavy processes like video encoding etc. (not so sure. maybe just a coincidence). I had the same problem a month ago and it was fixed after disconnecting one of the cooling fans. Today, when I ran a check up in PC Pitstop, I got this Processor Performance Problem: Here are the results of the previous tests at PC Pitstop: Oct 05: 3305 MIPS Dec 05: 3326 MIPS May 06: 3204 MIPS Mar 07: 3639 MIPS Jun 07: 3889 MIPS Oct 07: 1513 MIPS This is my config: Intel Pentium 4 2.40 GHz Processor Intel 865GBF Mobo 1 GB PC3200 RAM NVIDIA 440MX graphics card which is not there now, but was there when this problem started occuring. I had changed the SMPS when the problem occured last time. But there was no effect. One more thing. My PC can never shut down on its own. This problem has existed for the last 2 years. What I do is switch off the UPS when the shutdown process in complete and the screen turns blank. If I dont turn of the UPS then, the comp will start automatically again. I've formatted the comp at least 8 times after this problem started. How can I fix the problem(s)? Thanx in advance PS: My computer is switched off for only about 12 hours every week. Can this be a problem?
Have you checked inside your computer? Is there a lot of dust clogging up your CPU heatsink? Do you know what your temperatures are when these crashes occur? Is there anything with a corresponding time to the crash in the windows event log? (right click on my computer>manage>events)
Temperatures go above 98C. This might be because of the dust as you said. How to I clean the heat sink?
Eep that is very very high for a cpu! Personally I remove the fan from the heatsink and carefully brush the crap out with a paintbrush, while holding a hoover near it so the dust doesnt go everywhere - but that aint for everyone ^_^ The safest way is with compressed air. (you can buy cans of it at computer repair shops usually - probably the best way for a beginner)
I removed the heatsink, cleaned it (got a can full of dust!! lol). Now the temperature has reduced to around 75C. How can I reduce it further? I don't have any thermal paste or anything. Is there any alternative to use instead of thermal paste? One more thing, during POST, I hear lotta beeps. It's like low long beep, high long beep, low long beep, high long beep. Just 4 beeps. What does this mean? Thanx!
You definitely need to have thermal paste applied to your CPU - no question. There are many different types, personally I use arctic silver. Arctic Silver Incorporated - Home
Thanks for the link. Some of my friends have also recommended Arctic Silver 5 to me. I'll get the opportunity to buy it next week. Do you suggest any good heatsink to replace the stock heatsink?
I'd apply the arctic silver properly and see what your temps are like after a couple of days before you think about a new HS, might not be needed.
Hi I know I'm getting little bit late to this question :doh: but anyway here is my thought. You are having two different issues. One it is obviously the CPU temperature and the other could be the PSU. The fact that just disconnecting a cooling fan from the PSU stops shutting down your PC could be a signal that you are trying to get more juice from your PSU than what it can give. Probably you need a more powerful one. hope this helps
