What's causing my system to go mad?!

[Neil]

When I reboot my PC, everything is fine. When I'm not running Apps the fan
only seems to run at full speed only when it needs to, returning to idle
within a number of seconds.

However, later on in the day the fan runs at full belt continuously. When I
check in Task Manager the CPU percentage is shared 50-50 between System &
System Idle Process. After another re-boot and check it goes back to 98-99
System Idle Process when nothing is running.

I can't pin point it down to a particular App causing it, so would
appreciate a bit of advice!

 

[Steve]

When I reboot my PC, everything is fine. When I'm not running Apps the fan
only seems to run at full speed only when it needs to, returning to idle
within a number of seconds.

However, later on in the day the fan runs at full belt continuously. When I
check in Task Manager the CPU percentage is shared 50-50 between System &
System Idle Process. After another re-boot and check it goes back to 98-99
System Idle Process when nothing is running.

I can't pin point it down to a particular App causing it, so would
appreciate a bit of advice!

I don't think that you have a problem. The System process is simply for
Windows to do background stuff. Nothing to be concerned about.

 

[Malke]

When I reboot my PC, everything is fine. When I'm not running Apps
the fan only seems to run at full speed only when it needs to,
returning to idle within a number of seconds.

However, later on in the day the fan runs at full belt continuously.
When I check in Task Manager the CPU percentage is shared 50-50
between System &
System Idle Process. After another re-boot and check it goes back to
98-99 System Idle Process when nothing is running.

I can't pin point it down to a particular App causing it, so would
appreciate a bit of advice!

It sounds like your system is getting quite hot and the fans are trying
to keep up. Turn your computer off, unplug it, and open the case. Clean
out any dust bunnies and dirt with compressed air. Don't forget to
remove the front bezel and clean there too if it is a design that has
vents up front.

Once you have the computer nice and clean, plug it in and turn it on but
don't close it up. Observe all the fans, including the one on your
video card if it has one. As you use the computer, carefully feel how
hot the interior is getting. Don't touch any of the components. If it
is still getting too hot, then you may want to replace and/or add some
fans.

Malke

 

[R. McCarty]

It also helps to have a program installed that allows you to view the
environment sensors in your PC. There are a number of apps that
can do this. Some motherboard vendors provide this software on
the installer/driver disk. Not every application can monitor 100%
of all hardware, so it's best to get one that supports your particular
motherboard & CPU. A good candidate is Speed Fan.
http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

It also helps to know what your CPU thermal operating range is.
Having this information can help determine if your CPU Fan and the
"Thermal Paste" are properly dissipating the heat.

Monitoring temps is especially important with notebook PCs. On
some inexpensive Dell Inspiron's I've found insufficient thermal paste
and CPUs operating near their thermal limits. For those there is a
Fan control program that allows you to "override" the factory settings
and manually setup fan operation.

On notebooks it's also handy to monitor disk drive temps. Since
most are enclosed in a sealed compartment - they get very hot.
Unfortunately, heat dissipation for the drives is almost non-existent
and depends on the exhaust fan of the notebook.

Many of these apps can minimize to a System Tray icon that displays
your CPU temp.

 

[NoStop]

It sounds like your system is getting quite hot and the fans are trying
to keep up. Turn your computer off, unplug it, and open the case. Clean
out any dust bunnies and dirt with compressed air. Don't forget to
remove the front bezel and clean there too if it is a design that has
vents up front.

Once you have the computer nice and clean, plug it in and turn it on but
don't close it up. Observe all the fans, including the one on your
video card if it has one. As you use the computer, carefully feel how
hot the interior is getting. Don't touch any of the components. If it
is still getting too hot, then you may want to replace and/or add some
fans.

Malke

Nice try Malke, but that doesn't answer at all why System usage has
increased to 50% of processor time from earlier in the day, now does it?
Why is it that a reboot seems to fix things? Why is it that an "operating
system" like Windoze even require so many reboots to straighten it out when
it goes wanky? Please don't blame dust bunnies. That's just silly.


--
The ULTIMATE Windoze Fanboy:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2370205018226686613

View Some Common Linux Desktops ...
http://linclips.crocusplains.com/index.php

 

[Steve N.]

Nice try Malke, but that doesn't answer at all why System usage has
increased to 50% of processor time from earlier in the day, now does it?
Why is it that a reboot seems to fix things? Why is it that an "operating
system" like Windoze even require so many reboots to straighten it out when
it goes wanky? Please don't blame dust bunnies. That's just silly.

Nice try NoStop. On many systems a reboot causes all fans to spin up at
full speed and then slow down (as the OP described) until thermal
conditions require more cooling. If any link in the cooling chain is
comprimised by factors including dust bunnies or fans not working up to
par then overheating can result as the system warms up. As Malke
suggested, it's likley a hardware issue. Hardware, NoStop, nothing to do
with "Windoze" as you call it. Now be a good boy and go do your computer
hardware homework. While you're at it you might want to bone up on your
reading comprehension skills.

Steve N.

 

[NoStop]

Nice try NoStop. On many systems a reboot causes all fans to spin up at
full speed and then slow down (as the OP described) until thermal
conditions require more cooling. If any link in the cooling chain is
comprimised by factors including dust bunnies or fans not working up to
par then overheating can result as the system warms up. As Malke
suggested, it's likley a hardware issue. Hardware, NoStop, nothing to do
with "Windoze" as you call it. Now be a good boy and go do your computer
hardware homework. While you're at it you might want to bone up on your
reading comprehension skills.

Steve N.

So dust bunnies push up the CPU usage to 50%. I think I know who needs to
understand a little more about hardware.


--
The ULTIMATE Windoze Fanboy:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2370205018226686613

View Some Common Linux Desktops ...
http://linclips.crocusplains.com/index.php

 

[Neil]

When I reboot my PC, everything is fine. When I'm not running Apps

So dust bunnies push up the CPU usage to 50%. I think I know who needs to
understand a little more about hardware.

I didn't expect my query to result in a flame war!

The constant fan whirring and the 50% CPU usage are inextricably linked. I
would just like to have an idea what causes it to sometimes occur.

As it happens today, my PC has been on for around at least 6 hrs. I have
used a wide variety of apps (Word, Outlook Express, Paint Shop Pro amongst
others) and the 50% system hasn't occured.

Plus surely if it was overheating due to dust, at some point the over-active
fan would cool the PC to a point to switch the fan back off? When the 50%
occurs it is then constant, despite closing all apps and many services -
only the re-boot cures it.

Thanks for the replies though!

 

[Steve N.]

So dust bunnies push up the CPU usage to 50%. I think I know who needs to
understand a little more about hardware.

I've been working with and on computer hardware (at the component level
and all the way on up to what you see on your screen) for over
twenty-five years. I don't think, I _know_ who needs to understand a
little more about hardware and it ain't me.

Steve N.

 

[NoStop]

I've been working with and on computer hardware (at the component level
and all the way on up to what you see on your screen) for over
twenty-five years. I don't think, I _know_ who needs to understand a
little more about hardware and it ain't me.

Steve N.

Steve old man, I've been at it as long as you have, so don't think you can
skirt the issue with this b.s. You didn't answer my question, which speaks
volumes when you respond with this "senority" bullshit.


--
The ULTIMATE Windoze Fanboy:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2370205018226686613

View Some Common Linux Desktops ...
http://linclips.crocusplains.com/index.php