My Gateway http://www.shoplocal.com/default.aspx?action=ecomitemdetail&PID=23798381&inventoryid=&N=0&pretailerid=&specs=y&listingtitle= has been overheating for like a year now. Lack of money has me looking for inexpensive upgrades. Normally the comp would freeze and lock up in 10 minutes. Burning a CD or playing a video game, about 5 minutes. I had a few tech's look at it and they replaced the cpu fan. They stated, if continues to lock up, it must be a chip problem. Gateway has lacked the tech support I needed and pretty much refused the computer, due to computer techs replacing the CPU fan. So therefore I opened the tower and ran a 12inch fan blowing into the tower on high. It will let the computer run all day. Unless, I run video games or burn a cd. Which normally locks it up in 10 minutes. I watched the CPU usage reach to around 100% for 2 minutes to achieve this. What can be inexpensively done to stop the over heating? Upgrade CPU fan, power supply, tower. State product names. Thx
2007-04-02 22:23:21 · 6 answers · asked by tha_persuasion 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
I had the same problem.. .it's not the fan though unfortunately. I had to bite the bullet and go out an buy a dell, I had tried everything including wiping the computer and putting more ram in... nothing worked.
2007-04-02 22:28:43 · answer #1 · answered by marketplacesoftware 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe you have a lousy heatsink fan on your processor. Since you have a tower case, an upgrade to a better heatsink fan would not be a problem.
You could consider the following cooling solutions:
1. Artic Freezer 64 Pro (Different model for AMD and Intel)- cheap but effective
2. Thermalright Ultra 90 or 120 (the best)
3. Scythe Infinity or Ninja Plus
4. Noctua NH 09 or 12
5. Lots of choices from Coolermaster and Thermaltake
2007-04-10 21:06:42 · answer #2 · answered by Karz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Computers are made with a built in safe guard. If the processor reaches a certain temp it will automatically shut down. Also, not all heat sinks are made for just any processor. You must find a heat sink that is compatible with your processor in order to get proper cooling.
As for your computer locking up. I have seen bad ram cause this problem. I have also seen where a corrupted operating system can cause a computer to lockup.
One thing about processor usage. If you have one or more programs running in the background that can cause your system to slow down and yes sometimes lock up. To find whats running in the background just do the following.
1. Start..... Run.. type in msconfig and hit enter.
2. Next chose start up and you will be given a list of all the programs that are set for automatic running and are currently running in the background.
3. you can put a check in the box to disable that program from auto start.
4. click apply and exit. Re-boot and that or those programs will not run in the background again.
Also check for spyware and run a virus scan. If your using Win\xp you must first turn off the system restore before doing this because a virus can get into your system restore and re-populate on you.. After you do your scans and all don't forget to turn back on the system restore.
System Restore.. Right click on my computer and go to properties. At the top you will see system restore.
2007-04-03 01:03:56 · answer #3 · answered by madwizard56 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a few problems i am seeing with this rig...
1) Your Processor usage should not be reaching 100% at idle. If this is happening you may have a virus or some serious spyware issues....resolve them your system will run more efficiently and in turn will run cooler. Try downloading an antispyware utility such as Ad-Aware SE from http://www.download.com it is free and very powerful.
2) You have stated that when you run a heavier load the problem seems to get worse....I would look to lessen the load...disable any unneccessary programs....this would lighten the load on the processor....you can use the Startup Manager in TuneUp Utilities 2007 to help you with this task...it can be found at http://www.tune-up.com when you use this utility you will want to make sure that you leave your anti-virus/firewall enabled....other than that....you can disable just about everything else....
Now....lets get into the meat and potatoes of the problem...Heat....apparently your case does not offer adequate airflow through it....i don't know how fond of your case you are...but i would replace it with something a little better for air flow....
Since you have a Micro ATX comuputer...you can stick with that....or you could put the same parts into a full ATX case....i would go with a fill ATX to put more space between my parts...the more space...the more air can flow....
Newegg.com has many cases to choose from and the prices range anywhere from under $25 to $700 and all products include customer reviews and comments...so you can really choose anything that you like based on what you like.
http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=7&name=ATX-Computer-Cases
Once you choose a case and have it shipped to you you can put all of your old parts into the new case...(note some changes may be required to hook up the front panel buttons....but that is fairly straightforward wiring there....nothing major like putting a 12inch fan next to your computer....
While you are at newegg.com you might as well look at some case fans....I am currently running 4x 80mm fans in my rig....i was running with one...when I installed the new ones....temp dropped 15 degrees (F)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010110573+4024&name=%241+-+%2410
The big thing to look for is something that will fit into the case....some cases already include case fans...but almost always allow for more....the average cost is $5-$10....and installation is a snap....much easier than installing a 12in fan...lol...i can't get over that....
One thing to think about is direction of air flow....since we all know that heat rises...we want exhaust to be at the highest point....so make sure that your highest fan blows outward...this way the most heat escapes...likewise...you want your lowest fans to blow in with cooler air...(preferably from a different part of the case like the side)
You should be able to eliminate your overheating problems for less than $50 parts included....I would only buy the parts IF you cannot solve it by lessening the processor load....
2007-04-02 22:56:21 · answer #4 · answered by troubled1367 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To verify if it is a heat problem download and install speed fan (latest version) from provided link. It should show cpu and hdd temps. I would expect 30 deg celsius (idle ) to 50 deg celsius (full load continuous) to be acceptable for your machine. You could also try removing cpu cooler and cleaning it and the contact patch on cpu and replacing the thermal pad with paste. (under $10 to try) Good luck!
Other good news. You may be able to replace your processor for under $50 new. Some shops still have surplus stock from the days when those were high end products and fetched a premium price.
2007-04-09 13:46:02 · answer #5 · answered by Citizen Slave 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I think you have damaged your processor.
Think of this situation like a car. Your car overheats constantly and you constantly stop and put water in it. Eventually something is going to break down from the heat...likely the motor.
I would recommend to put your money into another computer; hopefully a new one. These decisions have to come from you.
2007-04-10 07:05:08 · answer #6 · answered by Me M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋