Computer Switches off (HELP!)

sub1zero · 05-25-2008, 05:12 PM

First of all let me begin saying that I am not exactly a noob in computers but I don't think I am an expert either. So please don't flame me if I ask a question the answer to which seems obvious to you. Anyway, I have a problem that has really bugged the hell out of me.

I had a 128MB DDR333 RAM. Which, is very bad. So I decided to upgrade it to 1GB. But what really made me change the RAM was that my computer completely switched off when I was playing a game, watching a video, running an AV scan. Basically anything that taxed the CPU. So, I thought that the RAM was being burdened way too much (which had been happening since I got this comp) and it finally cracked down.

So, I bought a 1GB DDR 400 (couldn't get DDR 333). Initially I thought it wouldn't work coz of the clock speed incompatibility but surprisingly it worked. But, unfortunately the switching off problem still persisted. I checked the BIOS/CMOS setup and it didn't show me any errors (but I do vaguely remember that the first time I booted up after fixing the new RAM it showed some checksum error but after that I didn't encounter it). Then I assumed something was wrong with the power supply but I am sure that that is not the case now.

So fellows am I right to assume that my CPU is just experiencing over-heating problems and not some RAM/Motherboard related problems? If so what am I supposed to do?! Change the cpu fan/heat sink?

Do enlighten me here.

Francisck · 05-25-2008, 05:17 PM

Fan's and heat sinks fail, I would first change the fan and see if that helps at all.

I work for a school and the fans in the teacher computers are all dying at about the same time.

When that does happen the computer turns off to make sure the processor isn't damaged..I would change the fan I'm sure it's a cheap fix.

Best Regards,
Francisco

sub1zero · 05-25-2008, 05:18 PM

Ah, I thought so too but the CPU fan doesn't seem to make any noise while running nor does it malfunction in any way perceptible to the eye. :| WTF?!

Francisck · 05-25-2008, 05:20 PM

have you left the case open and check that the fan runs the whole time while the computer is on?

sub1zero · 05-25-2008, 05:56 PM

This is soo strange. I took off the case. Now I am able to do all those things which I haven't been earlier without the comp switching off! And yes the fan is running all the time

jimkonow · 05-25-2008, 05:58 PM

the thing is overheating, thats all.

sub1zero · 05-25-2008, 06:00 PM

Ok. So what am I to do? The fan is running properly. And I live in India where the temp is constantly around 40 in the summer and it's not feasible to keep the AC running throughout the day.

Francisck · 05-25-2008, 06:06 PM

how many fans do you have in the machine?

is it possible to add another fan? when is the last time you cleaned the inside of the machine.

sub1zero · 05-25-2008, 06:16 PM

I m not too sure if I can get another fan. And I dont think I have ever cleaned the inside. I need an air blower or something no to blow out the dust?

Francisck · 05-25-2008, 06:20 PM

a can of compressed air.

do you have anywhere near you where you can buy one?

'

Best Regards,
Francisco

05-25-2008, 05:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
sub1zero New Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 10	Computer Switches off (HELP!) First of all let me begin saying that I am not exactly a noob in computers but I don't think I am an expert either. So please don't flame me if I ask a question the answer to which seems obvious to you. Anyway, I have a problem that has really bugged the hell out of me. I had a 128MB DDR333 RAM. Which, is very bad. So I decided to upgrade it to 1GB. But what really made me change the RAM was that my computer completely switched off when I was playing a game, watching a video, running an AV scan. Basically anything that taxed the CPU. So, I thought that the RAM was being burdened way too much (which had been happening since I got this comp) and it finally cracked down. So, I bought a 1GB DDR 400 (couldn't get DDR 333). Initially I thought it wouldn't work coz of the clock speed incompatibility but surprisingly it worked. But, unfortunately the switching off problem still persisted. I checked the BIOS/CMOS setup and it didn't show me any errors (but I do vaguely remember that the first time I booted up after fixing the new RAM it showed some checksum error but after that I didn't encounter it). Then I assumed something was wrong with the power supply but I am sure that that is not the case now. So fellows am I right to assume that my CPU is just experiencing over-heating problems and not some RAM/Motherboard related problems? If so what am I supposed to do?! Change the cpu fan/heat sink? Do enlighten me here.

05-25-2008, 05:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Francisck Silver Member Join Date: May 2008 Age: 23 Posts: 242	Fan's and heat sinks fail, I would first change the fan and see if that helps at all. I work for a school and the fans in the teacher computers are all dying at about the same time. When that does happen the computer turns off to make sure the processor isn't damaged..I would change the fan I'm sure it's a cheap fix. Best Regards, Francisco __________________ Religion is metaphysical statism. I will be ruled by no man on earth, nor by any god in heaven.

05-25-2008, 05:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Francisck Silver Member Join Date: May 2008 Age: 23 Posts: 242	have you left the case open and check that the fan runs the whole time while the computer is on? __________________ Religion is metaphysical statism. I will be ruled by no man on earth, nor by any god in heaven.

05-25-2008, 05:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
jimkonow Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chatham, New York Age: 17 Posts: 943	the thing is overheating, thats all. __________________ E4500 @ 2.2GHz Acer AL2216W @ 1680x1050 Gigabyte P35-DS3L 2048MB OCZ DDR2-800 80GB Excelstor SATA 3.0 MSI HD2600XT (256MB GDDR4) NEC DVD-R-DL

05-25-2008, 06:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
Francisck Silver Member Join Date: May 2008 Age: 23 Posts: 242	how many fans do you have in the machine? is it possible to add another fan? when is the last time you cleaned the inside of the machine. __________________ Religion is metaphysical statism. I will be ruled by no man on earth, nor by any god in heaven.

05-25-2008, 05:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
sub1zero New Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 10	Ah, I thought so too but the CPU fan doesn't seem to make any noise while running nor does it malfunction in any way perceptible to the eye. :\| WTF?!

05-25-2008, 05:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
sub1zero New Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 10	This is soo strange. I took off the case. Now I am able to do all those things which I haven't been earlier without the comp switching off! And yes the fan is running all the time

05-25-2008, 06:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
sub1zero New Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 10	Ok. So what am I to do? The fan is running properly. And I live in India where the temp is constantly around 40 in the summer and it's not feasible to keep the AC running throughout the day.

05-25-2008, 06:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
sub1zero New Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 10	I m not too sure if I can get another fan. And I dont think I have ever cleaned the inside. I need an air blower or something no to blow out the dust?

05-25-2008, 06:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
Francisck Silver Member Join Date: May 2008 Age: 23 Posts: 242	a can of compressed air. do you have anywhere near you where you can buy one? ' Best Regards, Francisco __________________ Religion is metaphysical statism. I will be ruled by no man on earth, nor by any god in heaven.

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