On Thu, 6 Jan 2000 02:08:51 +0100, Samuel W. Heywood wrote:
> Subject: Re: Happu Y2K ;-))))
> According to a recent post by Glenn McCorkle, a computer is supposed to
> be able to operate from temperatures as low as 20 F. and as high as
> 120 F. ( If my memory is serving me well, I believe those are the figures
> he mentioned. )
> My computer is an Acer 386sx., ca. 1990. It has no CPU fan, but it does
> have a fan to blow hot air out of the case and to suck cooler air back
> inside the case. If running, it will crash if the ambient temperature falls
> to around 35 F. If turned off, it cannot be made to boot again unless the
> ambient temperature is approx. in the range of > 65 F. and < 85 F. If left
> running, it will continue to operate even if ambient temperatures should
> rise to the 90's. Also, if turned off for a long period, it won't boot for
> at least 15 minutes after being turned on. The hard drive always spins up
> immediately. I think it is about time to replace the motherboard. My
> computer didn't used to suffer from any temperature-related quirks a couple
> of years ago.
>
Although I can't recall the exact figures for temperature
extremes, I'm sure that Glenn cannot be far off. I'd suspect a
capacitor on the blink on the motherboard, probably in the reset
circuit. It could also possibly be the "Power-Good" signal
coming from the power supply, since that is used in the reset
circuit on the motherboard. In either case, probably and
electrolytic capacitor is succumbing to the 'extreme' cold and
perhaps holding the CPU or the whole system in reset.
May be worth a look on the motherboard or in the power supply
before condemning the system, perhaps.
Hope this helps!
Ron.
