Computer newbies forum: PC shut down & Freezing

I did a test of my PC, when it was working OK again, and the results where OK, I Have include details about my machine

I have noticed other things happen recently like Once i had a CMOS Checksum failure which i had to reset my time/date. Also my Register Checker kicks in after the scandisk. This has happened with another motherboard, i was told about the power supply and heat problem then, but i have had another case which i said which is fair better ventalited and a better heatsink fan. Surely it can't be them?


Description Your Results
Brand/Model
Type Desktop
Serial Number Not available
BIOS Award Software International, Inc. 6.00 PG 11/22/2002
System Board VT8366-8233
ProcessorDescription Your Results
Brand/Model AMD Duron
Nominal Clock Speed 1300 MHz
Measured Clock Speed 1300 MHz
CPU Load 0%
Speed Rating 3670 (91% of 1756 similar)

Windows 98se

CDROM GENERIC GENERIC CRD-BP1300P
CDROM Memorex Memorex DVD MAXX 1648
CTMISC Creative Creative SB16 Emulation
CTMISC Creative Creative Gameport Joystick
CTMISC Creative Creative MultiMedia Interface
DiskDrive GENERIC GENERIC IDE DISK TYPE47
DiskDrive GENERIC GENERIC NEC FLOPPY DISK
DISPLAY NVIDIA NVIDIA RIVA TNT2 Model 64/Model 64 Pro
fdc (Standard floppy disk controllers) Standard Floppy Disk Controller
hdc (Standard hard disk drivers) Primary IDE controller (dual fifo)
hdc (Standard hard disk drivers) Secondary IDE controller (dual fifo)
hdc VIA Tech VIA Bus Master PCI IDE Controller
Keyboard (Standard keyboards) Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
KodakHidden EastmanKodakCompany KODAKIFS 10
KodakHidden EastmanKodakCompany KODAKCAM
KodakHidden EastmanKodakCompany KODAKROUTER
Media Creative Creative SB Live! series
Media Intel Wave Device for Voice Modem
Modem (Standard Modem Types) Parallel cable on LPT1
Modem (Standard Modem Types) Parallel cable on LPT1
Modem Intel Corporation Intel HaM Data Fax Voice
Monitor Hansol Electronics Hansol 720e
Mouse (Standard mouse types) PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port
Net Microsoft Dial-Up Adapter
Net Microsoft Dial-Up Adapter #2 (VPN Support)
Net Microsoft Microsoft Virtual Private Networking Adapter
Net Microsoft Microsoft PPP over ATM Adapter
Ports (Standard port types) Communications Port (COM1)
Ports (Standard port types) Communications Port (COM2)
Ports (Standard port types) Printer Port (LPT1)
System (Standard system devices) ACPI Fan
System (Standard system devices) Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) BIOS
System (Standard system devices) SCI IRQ used by ACPI bus
System (Standard system devices) Composite Power Source

For a test run, remove the case cover and point a fan at it. If it runs longer, you have found your issue.

Cures vary and since I can't inspect the machine visually I can't offer any ready fix.

Bob

I asked for the case cover to be removed, a fan pointed at the machine to see if it runs longer.

If you can't, then tell about it. But it's THE TEST that usually tells us what to do next.

Bob

If the heat test didn't help.
Then go here:
http://www.memtest86.com/
and download the memory test program (linux boot) and run it. If you get _any_ failures, you have bad memory and it needs replacing. I had this same symptom with mine and it was bad memory.

Good Luck!

The test can uncover the base issue in just a few minutes. Since it's apparent to me that heat is an issue, I would stop using the machine for feat that the CPU would meltdown and then I could lose not only the CPU, but motherboard, power supply or more.

I don't want to sound alarmist, but when I read such posts I try to gently guide along and move away from danagerous (and expensive) heat failures as quickly as possible.

Some will want to run memory tests, other tests, measure temperature and more. Meanwhile, the equivilent of a fuse on the time____ is burning.

I hope this never happens to anyone, but it doesn happen. Just my advice is to move the case cover off before its too late.

bob

Unfortunately i'll have to leave it for a hour or two to cool down. So i'll leave it until tomorrow to check. I'll let you know the result then.

You are now cooling the entire machine. But let me ramble a bit about a few items and then note possibilities and what I might do.

1. Durons run hot.

Not much we can do, but that CPU HSF you have may be OK if not coated with dust and the fan is spinning proper. As a rule of thumb, I like the following. For the Duron, if it's not listed on the CPU/HSF, then double the CPU clock rate of the Duron rating. YOU HAVE THIS covered.

2. Dust, fans.

You don't need to go overboard, but if there is a lint layer on the heatsink then you take the lint off and that helps. There are other heatsinks to look at on the motherboard and graphics card.

3. Some other part may be heat sensitive.

Some find it's the motherboard, some the video card. It's not fun to find it.

4. Cooling the case.

Adding fans rarely cures this. I find that sitting back and eyeballing the case to see if we can remove a metal breakout on the front where some CDRW may go will give some extra airflow and if that's not enough we can put a fan in the side cover to take air in or out of the CPU, motherboard chipset or graphic card area which now produce many Watts.

A cool trick (pun intended) is a fan at the very top of the case to exhaust hot air from the top. This may require the case to have the space for such and some lightwieght metal work, but it's been a good case mod.

5. Leave the case cover off.

But now move that fan out of the equation. If it still works then it's just too hot overall in the case.


In closing, it's not just the CPU that needs cooling...

Bob

(Checking the CPU Clock too see if i can double it.) I did this is was running at 100, know its running at max 132. And strangely enough i have had the machine on a few times since and not problems so far.
I'm not totally convinced this has solved the problem. I think its just a temporary fix until it happens again. But i shall make additional holes in one of my side panels on my case and ask around about adding a fan, possibly attaching it to the middle of the case panel.

Thanks, i just hope this will be the last of this problem.

One comment I have yet to see in these great tips is the fact that it is possible to put the fan/heatsink assembly on the processor BACKWARDS. This, of course depends on what type of retainer the heatsink itself is using to lock itself down on the proc.
I use a dental inspection mirror and a flashlight to make sure that the pressure point is directly over the cpu chip and not off-center.
To correct this simply make a dot on the assembly with a marker, then remove the heatsink assembly, turn it 180degrees and then re-install it, taking care not to push down on top of it to hard. That will crack the processor, making it useless.

Anybody run into this before? I have....

I had that similar problem since saturday 7/17/2004. I was downloading something and doing a virus scan at same time and BOOM! everything went blank. I started PC again and it would load up briefly and then shut down and it keep rebooting and you can hear the grinding of the fan. Anyway, I read on the internet regarding the Sasser Virus may have infected my PC.
Today, I disconnect the phone line to modem and all external devices and started PC with no problems. I then ran virus scan to make sure and it found no errors. So try this and see what happens. Good Luck.

I am having the same problem where it will lockup during boot up. When I disconnect from the web it works fine. I did a virus scan and adware scan and it was clean. Reconnected to the web and the same problem appears. Help!!

Hello Panic,this has helped me before,log off,and unplug your main power cord for just a few minutes,then plug it back in.Good Luck,Denise

I have seen this problem before and whilst I suspected virus and the usual problems (spyware/adware/blaster/sasser etc) it turned out to be a faulty switch on the case. In another instance whilst the power supply seemed adequate and appeared to power the box up once the CD-ROM/DVD kicked into play the PC just rebooted. By replacing the power supply the problem was quickly solved. My most recent circumstance ( this week) involved an Epox Motherboard Intel 865 chipset running an ATI 9800SE Radeon card. Supplier admits now there is a conflict with this hardware. So whilst it is possible that the problem is software if it is occuring more frequently than just the random reset I think you need to review your hardware , RAM , Video , Case (earth leakages) and power supplies being less obvious but proven causes for these problems.

Best of Luck and hope this helps.