:stressed: need help with comp.

[cross_slayer16]

well my comp. is haveing over heating trouble I had the fan replaced but after a week it started to over heat again so mwhat do i do it has win 98 and it is about 5 years old but the fan is about 1 year old so help me please

[Mr. Rogers]

First off, computers usually do run a little hot, so some little heat is nothing to worry about. If your computer is overheating, it will probably do things like randomly freeze, run weird, or randomly shut off or restart.

If it is overheating the first thing you want to do is open up the case and blow all the dust out of there. Also, blow the dust off of the fans, out of the power supply, the processor heatsink and anywhere else it might gather. While the case cover is off, turn the computer on for a minute and make sure all the fans on the processor, in the case and in the power supply are working. Sometimes fans can break down and then don't cool the computer properly.

You could try getting some higher speed fans that move more air or a more high-tech heatsink for your processor. Adding more fans to the case might also work, but that usually requires modding it.

[V8Tsunami]

I agree with sldr. Unplug the machine, touch the case, and open it up. To clean it, use a vacuum with a brush attachment to suck the dust, and use q-tips to get the hard-to reach areas (including the blades of the fans). Rinse off the heat sink, making sure it's completely dry before reinstalling it.

Afterwards, make sure all the connections are tight, fire it up in a clean area and start using it. Without touching anything make sure that the fans run, and that the power supply is cool. The processor fan should draw air away from the processor, as opposed to blowing air on it. If the power supply gets hot, or if the power supply fan isn't turning or moving air, replace your power supply. If the power supply is working, make sure your case fan(s) are turning, as well as your processor fan.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

[Mithrandir]

NO!!! Use a can of compressed air or an air blower to blow it out. DON'T get the vaccuum that close to it.

Question: What's the difference between a vaccuum cleaner and a Van De Graff machine?

Answer: Not much. Don't Vaccuum your computer.

[shooraijin]

Myself, I'm going to invest in a compressor to do this job -- I go through a lot of canned air. And no static electricity, either.

[Technomancer]

:?: well my comp. is haveing over heating trouble I had the fan replaced but after a week it started to over heat again so mwhat do i do it has win 98 and it is about 5 years old but the fan is about 1 year old so help me please

If possible, you may want to add extra fans. Also make sure that your case is designed to ensure air circulation- you amy want to drill extra holes (after you've removed it of course).

[Mr. SmartyPants]

make sure the fan is blowing OUT of the computer... and not air INTO the computer

i knew a guy who had that problem

[Mithrandir]

make sure the fan is blowing OUT of the computer... and not air INTO the computer

i knew a guy who had that problem

Actually, it depends on overall air flow. Make sure you're not fighting it. If you install the fan on the back of a primarily front-fed air flow box, you WANT it blowing out.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Actually, it depends on overall air flow. Make sure you're not fighting it. If you install the fan on the back of a primarily front-fed air flow box, you WANT it blowing out.

well yeah, but aren't most computers like that? Cool air flowing in the front and hot air flowing out of the back?

[Mr. Rogers]

well yeah, but aren't most computers like that? Cool air flowing in the front and hot air flowing out of the back?

Yeah, it's been like that since ATX came out, not sure if it matters or not though.

[V8Tsunami]

The idea is to use the fans to draw air in one part of the case and out another. Some manufacturers do it differently than others, but the basic idea is still the same: get air in, flow it over the hot components, and get it out.

As for the vacuuming, I've done it several times without any problems, and have found that it removes much more debris, without a large, unpleasant dust cloud. The idea is to be extremely gentle with the vaccum so you don't break anything.