Computer Problem

[dirtybuck]

I have an older model Compaq (SR1030 NX) my nephew sent to me a few years back. The computer is now 7 years old.

This "problem" has been going on for a while, but to some extent, it seems to be getting worse. At times, the fan kicks on intermittently and can be somewhat loud. It may run for a short period of time, or a longer period. I've also noticed when the room is cool, the fan doesn't seem to run all that long and stays moderately quiet. It also runs constantly when I get on Skype, or watch an occasional video or two.

There have been times if I turn the computer off manually or it does a restart after downloading a program, it will go off, and not come back on. Usually, the problem is rectified by waiting a few minutes, turning the power off on my power surge outlet, and then turning both the power surge and computer back on.

I had to do a reformat on my hard drive the other day, and I noticed when I had a auxiliary fun blowing on it, the number of times it went off with all the restarts was somewhat decreased.

OK, so has anyone else had the same problem and have a fix for it? I've been told it MIGHT BE capacitors, it MIGHT BE the fan in the power supply, it MIGHT BE the power supply itself (the power supply was replaced almost 3 years ago after the computer was hit by a power surge), etc..

I bought a can of air and plan on taking all the cords and other accessories off the back tomorrow, opening the computer up and blowing off some of the dust to see if this might rectify the problem. Another friend of mine suggested I go to/call a few of the computer shops and see if they might know what the problem is, and possibly run a diagnostic on it.

Believe me, IF there was any way I could afford a new computer right now, it would be bought in a heartbeat (Office Depot has a lower end HP for 329.00), but the term "unemployed" is having a big effect on what I can/can't buy at this time.

Thanks for any help you all might be able to provide.

 

[imperial70]

Hi Dirtybuck,
Sorry to hear about your current employment situation.

Have you tried opening the cabinet and make sure that the power supply isn't clogged with dust? That does it sometimes.

Also if you have opened the cabinet, have you noticed if there is a cpu fan? That fan would be located on top of the processor chip (kind of a cooling tower). Gently remove dust from that. also check to make sure that the connector from this fan is securely plugged into the motherboard.

ONE MORE THING: Depending on how hi end this machine is, it may have a temperature sensor and software to control fan speeds. The software usually resides in the BIOS of the motherboard. Perhaps things are getting older (also more dust clog, no offense intended all machines collect dust after years of use) and the fan and temperature sensor are just reacting accordingly.

I hope this helps and good luck

Imperial70

 

[whirlcool]

My crazy sister had this same kind of issue with their Dell machine. They opened the case up and found it was completely clogged with dust and cat hair. When they cleaned it the problem went away. What is happening is that your computer is overheating and the thermal protection circuit is cutting in to prevent damage to the motherboard and CPU.

To clean it:
Make sure the computer is unplugged.
Take the cover off and vacuum the inside of the computer out. Then using a dry paintbrush, dust off all surfaces. Then vacuum again.

Next take a can of compressed air and blow it in all the nooks and cranies of the computer case. Vacuum again.

Look at the CPU cooler. If it has 3 or 4 screws in the fan housing remove them.
Lift the fan off the cooling fins. Take your compressed air and blow air through
the channels of the cooling fin. Vacuum the computer again.

Now reinstall the fan and put the cover on the computer.

All should be well now.

Repeat every two years depending on how dusty your area is or if the computer sits on the floor.

I once worked on woman's computer that was 10 years old. She had an electronic air cleaner on her furnace. When I opened the computer case it was like new in there. Not one spec of dust anywhere! !

 

[54monroe]

I fixed my noisy fan by peeling off the round label on the back of the motor and lubricating the bearing with a drop of light oil.