my desktop pc is relatively new but seems to switch itself off quite regularly when its got a heavy workload - ie playing a game, or running virus scans. The fan seems to be working hard when that happens.
2006-12-13 04:50:03 · 25 answers · asked by tecnofobe 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Make sure you have a fan pulling air in as well as one sucking air out. Ensure the power supply is strong enough and the processor is not overclocked. Try running your PC normally with the casing open, if it works ok, this will give you some indication of the need for more airflow.
2006-12-13 05:00:40 · answer #1 · answered by Nickname 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of the components in your system may be getting too hot. I personally have had issues with video card overheat; the computer would shut down often (and only) while playing games. If your computer is old, the fan might be dead and/or dying, or the heat sink (the metal part with the "fins" that the fan is attached to) may be clogged with dust.
In general, though, the key to keeping a computer cool is air flow.
Keeping a computer inside an enclosed area, such as the compartment of a desk designed to house a computer, restricts airflow - even more if the desk is against a wall, preventing hot air from getting very far from the computer itself. If the area around your computer feels warmer than the air in the room, this is a good sign that your computer is not able to move the hot air away from it. These compartments should be fine if you aren't utilizing all of your computer's processing power, but if you play any 3D games or do creative/artistic stuff on your system, it's probably going to be getting much hotter than someone who just plays Solitaire.
The simplest, and least elegant, solution is to take off the side panel (if your case is designed that way) and aim a small fan at your computer's inards. If your computer is just barely overheating, moving it to a more open location may suffice.
2006-12-13 05:01:53 · answer #2 · answered by Rob H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to check a few things:
- Check the fuse next to where you plug the power cable into the computer tower. You can switch it between 105 and 210.
- Check the voltage of your outlet. If you are plugged into a 220 outlet and your computer is set to 105, you might be drawing too much power into the power supply, so the fuse flips and the computer turns itself off. It's a standard safety feature.
- On the flip side, if your computer is set to 210 and your outlet is only 120, your computer may be working too hard to try and use every volt coming in. That also triggers the shut-off safety feature.
- Make sure the fan and any other air openings on the computer are not blocked. Give the computer at least 3-4 inches of open space on all sides where there are exposed air openings. If the computer is pulling in air that was just blown out, then it's constantly reheating the same air. When the temperature around the components gets too high, the auto-shut-off engages.
2006-12-13 04:58:32 · answer #3 · answered by T S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
are you overclocking the CPU? working it harder than you should. in any-case, try installing a few more fans if the case permits, make sure the inside isn't clogged up with dust. You could think about trying a water cooling sytem(if you havn't got a clue then best no though).
Do you have any clutter around the PC? Is it next to a heater? if none of that works, maybe look at get a new system or at least upgrading the CPU if possible.
hope that helps!
2006-12-13 06:56:27 · answer #4 · answered by gerard mcmanus 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
More than likely you need a new power supply or maybe a new heat sink for your processor. Put your hand on the back of your computer and make sure you can feel the fan blowing also if you added things to your computer such as another hard drive or dvd player or graphics card you may need more power. Also try to play games with the cover off.
2006-12-13 04:54:12 · answer #5 · answered by micaso1971 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check that the area where the computer is located has enough circulation. I had a client that needed to pull the computer out of the cabinet, and place it next to the desk, and another one that decided to install a fan instead of pulling the computer out of the desk.
If you think you have enough circulation, check that the computer fans (power supply and processor) are both working, then try blowing a small fan at the computer and see if that helps.
2006-12-13 04:55:59 · answer #6 · answered by Brian H 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That happened to me, it turned out that the fan wasn't working properly. We thought it was okay but it wasn't. PC world fixed it for me for free, because eventually the whole computer just wouldn't turn on anymore. Phone the place you got it from! If it's still under the guarantee it should be done for free.
2006-12-13 04:59:21 · answer #7 · answered by clio 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It may be due to power supply problem, long usage, improper ventilation etc. I can give you a link that deals with hard drive problems. Some general computer problems can be easily fixed by yourself using easily available tools. I found the info at http://fixit.in useful. Try this site, if you can get what is required.
2006-12-13 11:46:05 · answer #8 · answered by RAS 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Playing games will use the CPU alot, therefore, the CPU can overheat as it is handling millions of requests at one time. Getting a better CPU fan can help.
Also, overclocking for the same reason.
2006-12-13 04:58:50 · answer #9 · answered by mattribbins 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
overclocking of course,
bad case design, small case, cables filling the case preventing the airflow from getting out, not enough fans, passive cooling.
try deactivating power saving states in the bios as well as cool 'n quiet if you have an amd proc.
you can buy a larger copper fan as well
2006-12-13 06:07:56 · answer #10 · answered by Yussef961 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋