> -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Behalf Of J.D. Giorgis
...
> This morning, I turned on my computer to check my > e-mail. I was simply sitting, typing away, when my > computer mysteriously powered down. > > Upon inspection, I noticed (ack!) that a side panel to > the computer case had come a bit loose. > Additionally, my friend noted that the back of the > computer was unusually warm (which is odd, since I > bought an extra fan for the case - as I knew I would > leave it on a lot in a non-air-conditioned apartment.) > > > At this point I went to work, but when I came home, > the computer still will simply not turn on. I > plugged in my old computer using the same cord to the > same surge protector and same plug - and clearly, my > old computer is working just fine from that plug.
After spending much of last weekend under my desk solving a thermal problem with my main machine, I'm more of an expert on heat problems than I'd like to be.
If your dead machine is an Athlon or P4, the shutdown might have been because it got too hot. What motherboard does it have? The fact that it won't power up at all means that the CPU may be cooked. That's more likely if it's an Athlon.
But the heat in the back might not have anything to do with it. A loose side panel shouldn't cause overheating to an extent that it would cook the processor. In that case, I'd suspect the power supply. Too bad you're not near here; I have several extra power supplied (after upgrading to quieter and more powerful ones).
Incidentally, adding an extra fan can actually make things worse, depending on whether it contributes to proper airflow or not. And extra fans in the front of the case apparently have little impact at all. An extra exhaust fan in the back, near the power supply and CPU, appears to be the best way to enhance case cooling.
(My machine's main problem is air circulation in the case, I finally realized, even after installing a couple of extra fans and upgrading the power supply and re-installing the CPU cooler. None of that made a great deal of difference, but when I opened up the case and set a big ol' Vornado fan next to it, blowing across the machine, the temperature came down more than 10 degrees. Now the CPU is right where it should be ideally, at 60 degrees C.)
Nick
My nephew's problem also. He had his computer in a desk, no clearance between top, sides, and back. Now that it's in the open, just have to keep him from downloading viruses.
Kevin T. - VRWC Kids these days. Why when I was growing up.....
_______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
