Computer overheats

[jeffrey]

I have a Sony desktop computer. It overheats often. While I'm using
the computer, the fan suddenly spins up and the computer crashes. This
happens very often.

I have three fans in the computer: CPU, power supply, and rear case
fan. The power supply fan also functions as an exit fan. I have
visually noticed that the case and CPU fans are regular fans, but the
power supply fan is thermo-controlled. It is usually running very
slow, or even not at all. How can I make it run constantly?

Also, are there any creative places to add a fan? I'd like to add one
to the front of my case, but there is no space, with the CD drives and
the USB ports. I also don't have any space for a PCI slot fan.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[JS]

Which fan speeds up before the crash? If it's the power supply fan which you
indicated run slow or not at all.
Not at all is not normal, my guess is your power supply's sensing unit is
malfunctioning.

JS

 

[GHalleck]

I have a Sony desktop computer. It overheats often. While I'm using
the computer, the fan suddenly spins up and the computer crashes. This
happens very often.

I have three fans in the computer: CPU, power supply, and rear case
fan. The power supply fan also functions as an exit fan. I have
visually noticed that the case and CPU fans are regular fans, but the
power supply fan is thermo-controlled. It is usually running very
slow, or even not at all. How can I make it run constantly?

Also, are there any creative places to add a fan? I'd like to add one
to the front of my case, but there is no space, with the CD drives and
the USB ports. I also don't have any space for a PCI slot fan.

Thanks,
Jeff

While it might be possible to adjust the bios setting for
triggering the PSU fan to start sooner, just where is the
computer physically located. Is there sufficient space in
the area where it is located, to facilitate ventilation and
cooling? Or, at worst, is it sitting on a carpeted floor in
a room with little or no air conditioning or air flow.

 

[Richard Urban]

I have never seen a power supply fan that totally shuts down. It doesn't
mean that they do not exist. Get hold of a replacement power supply and see
if it solves your problems.

Also, make sure that the heat sink on the CPU is not clogged with dust and
gunk. If you smoke around the computer you will likely have to clean the
sink about every six months. I take mine off the CPU to do this. I then
remove, and clean, the fan with alcohol and cotton swabs. I immerse the
sink in a small container of rubbing alcohol for about 15 minutes. I then
use a small, very stiff, brush to clean between the heat sink fins.

After reassembly (don't forget the thermal compound between the heat sink
and the CPU) the CPU runs as cool as it did when the system was originally
built.


--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[jeffrey]

It actually is on carpet, heh. But the thing is, the fans are
virtually silent until my computer overheats, when they whine and make
noise. My room is relatively cool. My computer has been vacuumed and
is dust-free.

I don't know how to change the fan speeds in the BIOS. I can only turn
it on or off. I can monitor fan speeds in the BIOS, but not change it.