Getting a HOT CPU?

[goughy000]

Well my family had been complaining for weeks that the computer keeps shutting itself down so i went to investigate it.

I opened up AIDA32 (recommended download) to have a look at the system diagnostics. It was all looking on untill i saw CPU temp, it was sky high at around 65-70c. The fans seemed to spinning the normal rate though looking at what AIDA32 was telling me.

I just took this as a case of old computer and bought a few new fans and installed them in the back near the processor, one in and one out just to run air over the top of the CPU fan.





I booted up the computer again and checked the temperatures in AIDA32, the temp dropped by around 20 to 45-50c. Not bad for 2 55p fans off ebay.

Just to take it a step further i cracked open the case just one more to check the heat sink to see if its still in good condition, it looked a bit dusty behind so i got a thing screw driver to remove the fan off the top of the heat sink without taking the heat sink from the processor.

There was a pure layer of grime, i put a cotton bud (the ones on sticks) underneath it and pulled it up, it came out together like a woolly cloth.



With this i decided to run the vacuum around the inside of my case as i hadn't done it in a while, but for the first time i tried to vacuum around the fins of the heat sink and used the cotton bud to help it along a bit. i moved a lot of light dust and the case looked a lot better after, i screwed the fan back on and booted the computer back up.
NOTE: at this point don't make the mistake that i did, PLUG YOUR HEATSINK FAN BACK IN IF YOU UNPLUGGED IT TO CLEAN

you could melt your processor.!

anyway, the computer booted up (2nd time) and i checked AIDA32, a further drop and i decided to stop there and call it success.

I'm running at 37-42c now which isn't bad as the case is around 6 years old and is all old parts apart from these 2 fans and a new PSU (old one blew up, it seems to happen to me a lot)

So this long post is just a reminded to get the vacuum inside your case every now and then! the cleaner your case is kept the longer your computer will last.

[darkfate]

Well for most parts of your system you should use compressed air. You shouldn't ever use a vacuum! Some other parts can be cleaned with a lint-free cloth and alcohol (not rubbing alcohol, but clean 100%). Are you sure the grime wasn't thermal paste? If it was, you better open it back up and apply some more!

[goughy000]

darkfate Wrote:Well for most parts of your system you should use compressed air. You shouldn't ever use a vacuum! Some other parts can be cleaned with a lint-free cloth and alcohol (not rubbing alcohol, but clean 100%). Are you sure the grime wasn't thermal paste? If it was, you better open it back up and apply some more!

Vacuum has always worked for me, i used a can of compressed air once and was not impressed and have never used it since.

and the grime was sure not thermal paste, i've installed CPUs before and know what it looks like. This grime was pure dust, it was between the fan and the fins, not between the heatsink and the CPU.

added a diagram to my first post

[darkfate]

OK, now I see what you're talking about. Here's just a few tips for anyone when it comes to cleaning:

Computer Cases and Monitors
Clean computer cases and the outside of monitors with a mild cleaning solution on a damp, lint-free cloth. Mix one drop of dishwashing liquid with four ounces of water to create the cleaning solution. If any water drips inside the case, allow enough time for the liquid to dry before powering on the computer.
LCD Screens
Do not use ammoniated glass cleaners or any other solution on an LCD screen unless the cleaner is specifically designed for the purpose. Harsh chemicals will damage the coating on the screen. There is no glass protecting these screens, so be gentle when cleaning them and do not press firmly on the screen.
CRT Screens
To clean the screens of CRT monitors, dampen a soft, clean, lint-free cloth with distilled water and wipe the screen from top to bottom. Then use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the screen and remove any streaking after you have cleaned the monitor.
Clean dusty components with a can of compressed air. Compressed air does not cause electrostatic buildup on components. Make sure that you are in a well-ventilated area before blowing the dust out of the computer. A best practice is to wear a dust mask to make sure that you do not breathe in the dust particles.
Blow out the dust using short bursts from the can. Never tip the can or use the compressed air can upside down. Do not allow the fan blades to spin from the force of the compressed air. Hold the fan in place. Fan motors can be ruined from spinning when the motor is not turned on.
Component Contacts
Clean the contacts on components with isopropyl alcohol. Do not use rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol contains impurities that can damage contacts. Make sure that the contacts do not collect any lint from the cloth or cotton swab. Blow any lint off the contacts with compressed air before reinstallation.
Keyboard
Clean a desktop keyboard with compressed air or a small, hand-held vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment.
CAUTION: Never use a standard vacuum cleaner inside a computer case. The plastic parts of the vacuum cleaner can build up static electricity and discharge to the components. Use only a vacuum approved for electronic components.
Mouse
Use glass cleaner and a soft cloth to clean the outside of the mouse. Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the mouse. If cleaning a ball mouse, you can remove the ball and clean it with glass cleaner and a soft cloth. Wipe the rollers clean inside the mouse with the same cloth. You may need to use a nail file to clean the rollers on the mouse. Do not spray any liquids inside the mouse.

[goughy000]

Thanks DF, another great post!

i'll keep in mind about the vacuum in the future but no problems so far.