im posting this rather vague question about my friends dell desktop simply because its not mine and i dont know much about it. my friend has a dell desktop that she says "it overheats and wont turn on for days at a time" i dont know she thinks its a fan problem but i dont think that would paralize it for days, but any help would be apreciated. anything such as if you have a problem like this with a solution. if you havnt noticed my id is macguy11935 meaning i dont know anything about pc's. thanks --seth
2007-05-28 11:42:22 · 6 answers · asked by macguy11935 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Well, there're two fans and a heatsink, in a PC, so rather than having her fux0r around with swapping out all of those things to see which might be the problem (if overheating is the problem at all), I think dropping it off with a specialist would be the best course to take. It does sound like an overheating-related issue, but there's not nearly enough other data to help anyone who isn't at the computer itself make an accurate diagnosis.
2007-05-28 11:47:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
On a DELL, hit F2 during the self test. Find the category for the ERROR LOG. Arrow down to READ LOG and enter. If the machine has an overheating issue, you will see the time & date detected. Usually the computer will turn itself OFF to avoid serious damage. Next, I would power on with the case open and "look see". Verify all the fans are spinning. In most cases the machine is OK after an hour of cool-down, not days.
2007-05-28 19:13:24 · answer #2 · answered by michael f 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My best guess is a cooling problem. There could be several factors. One of them, for example, is that the cooling is malfunctioning or simply not good nough.
Where is the desktop placed? Somewhere warm? Somewhere where there's a lot of dust?
What could GREATLY help, is to open the case and simply remove as much dust as you can, either by a small brush, or, if possible with a compressor. Make sure the compressor isn't aimed directly onto the motherboard up close and make sure the compressor isn't on full power or you just might shred you the computer.
You'd be amazed how much dust can clog up your computer. Lots of dust = clogged cooler, clogged vent = heated CPU = slower PC = more coolind needed = More fan power = more dust = (circles repeats).
Not to mention that dust can preserve static electricity and ruin your hardware.
Try finding a way to read the CPU's temperature. if it's 70-80 degrees and up, then you know your problem.
2007-05-28 18:50:47 · answer #3 · answered by theskiesareonfire 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i have a dell laptop and it gets VERY hot also. it gets so hot if i leave it on my bare legs it actually leaves my legs red for quite a few hours after i get away from the computer.
maybe it's just dells. i'm not sure.
i heard that a few were under recall cause the power cords were overheating, so maybe that has something to do with it.
i hope everything works out, tho.
2007-05-28 18:47:03 · answer #4 · answered by pixi1030 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, my brother has a dell and just this year it started going on the fritz with overheating. we both think that its because hes had it for too long. after a while computers just need replacing.
2007-05-28 18:50:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok, she either has a overheating problem thats now damaging her internal parts, or her power supply may be at fault.
2007-05-28 18:47:25 · answer #6 · answered by Cupcake 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋