[Tris]

Hi, just joined as I need some help, this is starting to do my head in now!

Basically if I ask too much of my computer, it just restarts itself. I can't watch youtube videos on full screen, or do a full virus scan, without the computer restarting, and telling me it's recovered from a serious error.

Despite getting windows updates and doing system restores, it's starting to do this on a daily basis now.

If it helps, here's what it tells me every time it loads up again:




What can I do to sort this out? Thanks

[Spencer2004]

try the following:
.uninstall any recently installed hardware or software
.restore your cpu to stock speed if it is overclocked
.(this is probally the case) in the bios downclock your ram frequency (which will be in mhz) to the next lowest clock. for example downclock ddr2 533mhz to 400mhz.

[Tris]

TBH it's been doing it for ages, it goes through phases where it does it loads for a few weeks and then doesn't do it for months So I can't put it down to recently installed software. As for over clocking, it's running at the stock speed as far as I'm aware (I haven't adjusted it anyway).

Now how do I downclock exactly? Ta.

[Tris]

Any other suggestions?

You lot know more than me, but personally I reckon the computer is getting too hot. If I aim a desk fan into the side vent, it definitely helps but it does still restart sometimes. Thing is, the internal fan is still spinning as normal...

help!

[Spencer2004]

Originally Posted by Tris Any other suggestions? You lot know more than me, but personally I reckon the computer is getting too hot. If I aim a desk fan into the side vent, it definitely helps but it does still restart sometimes. Thing is, the internal fan is still spinning as normal... help!

ah! try and re-seat the heatsink on the cpu, you may have to apply some thermal paste which is availible from any computer shop.

[Tris]

So basically take it out and refit it?

Do you think I should look into an uprated fan of some sort?

[Cew27]

the problem is probably down to dust, open the case and give it a good clean taking out all the dust but be very careful

[Tris]

Yeah I've had the side panel off and have hoovered it before (while unplugged obviously) but I still didn't feel very safe doing it, and was also scared of disturbing anything. Maybe I didn't do a good enough job of it, as the problem still occurs.

hmmm!

[Cew27]

check the cpu fan possibly take it off and have a look for any build up of dust

[Tris]

Forgive my ignorance, but which is the cpu fan?

From what I can tell there's one fan mounted vertically, with a feed going to it coming from the vent in the side panel

and possibly another fan lying horizontally aiming upwards? From memory! I'll take a closer look next time I've got the side panel off

[Cew27]

erm its on the motherboard, here is a pic

[Tris]

Cheers I'll look into that

[mrdaveyk]

just a quick tip, don't hoover pal, use compressed air or something similar

vacuuming can causes static which aint good

[Cew27]

indeed
let us know how you got on

[Tris]

Oh right

So I need to use an air blower of some sort?