High Temperatures

[Old_Geezer]

My woman's PC has an issue. Froze a couple of times and needed turning off. A preliminary examination using Speedfan indicated a temperature problem. I've just opened up the side, vacuumed it out paying particular attention to the fans. Turned the PC back on and rechecked, to see it hadn't been cured.

Both "Temp1" and "Temp2" are allegedly set to ACPI, which doesn't really tell me much. Both show 106° C.

Anyone know what exactly what it is that's getting hot very fast, and how it can be fixed ?

Cheers.

[JimF]

Are the fans actually spinning?

[Old_Geezer]

Yes, all three on the case and the one above the CPU.

[JimF]

OK, that's good. How old is the machine? It could simply be that the thermal paste between the CPU / GPU and their heatsinks has worn and will need replacing. This isn't particularly difficult to do. Alternatively, any PC repair shop can do this for you if you don't fancy doing it yourself.

[TheChair]

A much more likely cause is that the fins of the CPU heatsink are so clogged with dust that the fan is not actually shifting air over them. Try removing the CPU fan (you shouldn't need to remove the entire heatsink assembly) and check for clogged fins.

[Old_Geezer]

Built it a few years ago now. Could try to find out, must have the 'order parts' e-mails somewhere. Tempus fugit, so I'm probably underestimating if I say about 6 years.

So you recon it might be the CPU heatsink ? She will be pleased, relies on the PC and uses it daily.

[Old_Geezer]

Looks like a job for tomorrow morning ;-)

[Old_Geezer]

Ok. Managed, with a bit of a struggle and concern that the fastenings might break, to remove the fan/fins item, and then separate them. The fins had a little more dust on them but not so much as one would unduly worry about.

Of course, the now solid thermal gunge is now in two bits, some on the fin side, the other on the processor lid. Would need to go buy replacement (oh where is Maplin when you need them ?) but wondering what the best way to clean the old stuff off is, without scratching nor ruining the processor lid and the heatsink side. Any expert advice ?

[Zacs-Master]

Why don’t you just take it to your local repair shop? I’m sure it would only be a few quid.

[Old_Geezer]

I understand your suggestion but I built the thing, I should be able to sort it. Besides lugging that large heavy case to the shop isn't something I'd relish. But maybe some local repair shop might sell thermal paste and isopropyl alcohol. I'll have to check.

[Old_Geezer]

Have removed old thermal paste, applied new. PC still shows "Temp1" and "Temp2", allegedly set to ACPI, as 106° C.

Unsure of next move. Something is overheating but redoing the processor heat removal didn't work.

[Old_Geezer]

Actually, just noticed, now all the "Core" temperatures are up in the 80s too !!!!! Unbelievable. No idea what next then.

[tamborine]

have u checked youtube for repairs?

[Old_Geezer]

I think it may be difficult to match YouTube videos with the specific problem.
Seriously thinking of putting it in for repair, but who locally can be trusted ? A drive full of personal data and saved passwords is not something to hand over :-(

[Old_Geezer]

Took it to a repair shop. Turns out The heatsink/fan appeared for all the world to be on firmly and properly, but when he removed the motherboard, it was clear only 2 of the pillar/clips had been right, and it neeeded the motherboard to be removed, and a pair of tweezers and patience, to tease the other two through properly.

After that the heating was fine, so my attempt would have been ok but for the pillars deceiving all that they were home.

The trouble then was that he found the PC was only going to sleep (errror code 04) instead of off. And that the SSD drive was only part healthy. After a lot of testing it was determined that the SSD drive lead must have been faulty and I'm told making the SATA driver go wrong and also messing up the SSD ! That was unexpected and costly. New drive required.

And has now led to a second issue that I'll address in a follow up thread.