Hi all, I am newbie in Hardware. So, I hope you will help me. I just got a problem for being restart my computer again and again after each 2-3 hours. And when it restarts, it says, "System Shutdown due to Overheat". It happens whenever I copy a DVD to my Hard-disk or whenever my computer have to have work a lot. (installing a game). One problem that I got to know by reading some existing threads is: 1) I will upgrade my Power Supply. My existing system specs are as follows: PSU: 350W MoBo: 915GAV Processor: p4 3.0Ghz HT Hard: 120GB SATA RAM: 768Mb DDR (512+256) VGA: GF6600 Aud: Creative Sound Blaster 4.0 Can you suggest me some motherboard that is suitable with my other Specs? because I think my motherboard is not that good. (some people says that 915GAV has many complaints in market) Can this problem occur due to Motherboard? thanks in advance. Waqas
If it says "System Shutdown due to Overheat" the first thing I would do is pop the side off and check the CPU heatsink and fan for dust. Download a program to check out your temps. CPUID SiSoftware Zone
Just to add to what IamOne said I'd also take a quick look at case fans. If they're dirty use some compressed air to clean them, and use it to clean your motherboard while you're at it too! Make sure all expansion slots that aren't used are covered as well. This is important to maintain good airflow through the case.
Hi everybody, thanks for your replies. I've looked into my MoBo and FANS (Processor Fan, Heat SINK and a Fan that is on PSU) these fans are clean. Now what should I do? I've installed the PC Wizard. It has given me the temprature readings as follows: Chassis Fan : 2674 rpm Processor Temperature : 84 °C Mainboard Temperature : 40 °C Power/Aux Temperature : 40 °C Video Monitoring : nVidia Thermal Diode GPU Diode : 56.9 °C GPU Fan : 100% Hard Disk Monitoring : S.M.A.R.T Hard Disk Temperature ST3120827AS : 32 °C Hardware Monitoring : SMSC EMC6D103 Voltage CPU : 1.31 V +3.3V Voltage : 3.20 V +5V Voltage : 5.08 V +12V Voltage : 11.88 V Is this temperature reading OK ? or not suitable. Thanks
Your Processor temp. is (way) to hot. If you say the fan is clean you either need to reapply your Thermal Compound or look into getting a better CPU heatsink and fan.
Ah! it really seems that the problem is here at "Thermal Compound". I should re-apply it. Here's what I've figured out when my PC last time shut down: I started to copy a Game's files from a self extractor file. When it was in the middle of the process the temperature started increasing and increasing, it reached up to Processor Temperature : 107 °C and my PC shut down. Now please tell me a couple of more things: 1) Can I apply this "Compound" myself? (is it difficult or easy, any risk for loss of hardware?) 2) Do I still need to change my power supply? or motherboard?
The Pent 4 3.0MHz is a hot processor and you are out of the CPU's temperature safety range which maxes at 80°C although even heavy use shouldn't reach this. How long have you had the machine? Have you made any changes to it? Even a new graphics card could produce enough heat to cause problems with the Pent 4 Prescotts!! 1) Yes you can apply it yourself and it is fairly easy. The most important thing to remember is not to use too much!! You need a thin even coating of thermal compound however many new heatsinks come with a layer already applied, all you have to do is remove a plastic protecting film and attach it to you CPU. However be careful removing your heatsink as they sometimes need quite a lot of force!!!! 2) From the information you've given us........No. Note: A CPU is very sensitive to static electricity so when you're going to work with it be sure to use an antistatic wrist strap or touch the power supply frequently to discharge yourself.
"Tech", Thanks a lot for such a quick response. I have this machine for past 2 years. But these problems have been started since October 07. I have realized it when i have wasted my 3d card GF 7600GS in this machine. I thought it was just some problem in card but now I got to know that it's due to the CPU. Now my friend have given me a card GF 6600. But I remember my PC was going to restart even when this card was not plugged in. I've looked on to the back of processor, there were a light thin coating of paste like rubber but it got black and was not in good condition. I will erase this coating then will apply the new paste. I've searched about the Thermal Compound on internet. I've found that the Arctic Silver is the best in market. is it? and please tell me can I use Intel's? Once again thanks for the instructions, I really appreciate it.
I'm not sure how popular this is, but will thermal tape compare well with thermal paste? For one, it is easier to apply.
[strike]I'm not sure how popular this is, but will thermal tape compare well with thermal paste? For one, it is easier to apply. [/strike] I'm very sorry, didn't see the previous post, thought I didn't click properly so I posted again.
