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PC Randomly Shuts Down

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EHM-1617 Iain:
I have been having problems with my PC recently which mean that I am unable to do an EHM flight.

All is fine running low processor usage apps such as IE and MSOffice etc.. but whenever I try anything where processor usage is near 100% e.g FS9 then my PC will hold out for an hour max before the display briefly shows no signal and then the machine just powers off (no shutdown screen).

The connection with processor usage makes me feel that overheating may be the issue. However it is not until recently (PC is 1 yr old) that this has started happening.

I have noticed however that all the components inside have built up a healthy coating of dust. Could this be a problem and what can I do about it?

Looking forward to flying again... any suggestions comments (especially helpful ones ;)) or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

EHM-1281 Cyriel:
Some systemboards have a build in temperature sensor and software available to read it out (e.g. most ASUS systemboards have this). If yours have you can get an indication of temperature. Dust can be an problem but i have had PC wich had actually grown their own micro biosphere and they still functioned. Open it up and mame sure all the components are still connected well especially the heat sink on the processor. If it is loose you will need to put on another coating of heat conducting paste as well.

Did you try running FS at a lower detail level or resolution? That should also help to contol heat and help to determine if this is really the problem.

EHM-1617 Iain:
No I didn't try the FS settings ... I will give it a go. I'm gonna clean out and check it out inside when I get the chance.

I don't have an ASUS board, so I don't know the live CPU temp. I installed the CPU + Heatsink + CPU fan myself so maybe I was too sparing with the paste or just didn't put it on quite securely... Thanks

EHM-1703 Philip:
Hi Iain,

Dust is always a problem and should be cleaned out on a regular basis. Please don't take a Vacuum Cleaner to your pc's guts though, it can build up static and fry your components. Use a soft paint brush to clean fans etc. You should do this at least once every two months. Be carefull if you are new to this as you have to remember its gonna be expensive if you go at it like a bull in a china shop.

Is your Processor AMD or Intel? Some of the older Intel Chips had crap thermal compound on them. Also AMD's can be troublesome when not getting enough air! You may want to ensure your CPU fan is being efficient as some times the compound that sits between the CPU and the fans heatsink can break down. Get a new tube of Heat Sink compound from your local PC supplier and replace it yourself if you have the knowledge. (Remember to be carefull when removing the old compound)
Otherwise take it to visit your local PC World. They will give your PC a thorough service for quit a reasonable cost. (If anything at PC world can be called reasonable) Make sure you explain your issues and concerns to them to make sure they cure your problem.

Don't automatically think that this problem is directly linked to your Processor, many of your PC's components heat up with more use. I have to be honest, your description above sounds like it could be a Motherboard problem or GPU related. What Graphics Processor do you use? Does your Motherboard have temprature settings in the BIOS? If it does, it can Monitor your CPU's core temp and warn you when it is getting hot? Are you overclocking anything, especially your Graphics Processor? (GPU) This is a common cause of the shutdown you describe, usually if your processor is getting to hot it starts performing poorly before finally going in to thermal shutdown. GPU's only have these sort of features on top of the range models.

I would start by doing the following:

1. Carefully dust out your case and fans

2. Power up with the side panel missing, run up FS9 and make sure your fans are all operating. (If your motherboard has a North Bridge and/or South Bridge fan, these are the first ones to check as they are smaller and less efficient. Also check your Graphics Card, Radeon X800 cards had a lot of fan problems, but only later GPU's have fans fitted.

3. Defrag your Hard Drive and run Scan Disk.

4. Shutdown your PC. Wait a while and reseat your RAM. (Carefully remove it from the slot and replace it, it will clean any corrosion from the contacts)

5. If nothing else works, attempt a short prayer followed by large amounts of begging to enable you to get a new PC which will run Windows Vista and be ready for FSX when it arrives!

Hehehe, Sorry about the last one, Hope you get your problems sorted. I also have a very tempramental system but that is because I over clock it and run raid drives.

Good luck!

EDIT* (Sorry, I was so long composing the above that Cyriel gave you the short answer before I could add this hehehehe!)

EHM-1617 Iain:
Thnx for the essay Phil ;) AMD 2800+ processor. ATI 9800SE (special edition a.k.a. Sh*t edition) GPU. My PC has a see thru plastic panel so I can see all the stuff inside anyway (with a fashlight). I am not overclocking any components. My GPU has no separate fans. I can't see North or South brdge fans on the mobo. The CPU fan is (unscientifically) spinning very fast. Don't have a clue about teh BIOS... I'll play around with it. Thanks anyway

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