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Random Freezes + CPU hotter than normal

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SSJpn

Technical User
Joined
Oct 7, 2002
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Location
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I just opened up my case to clean up the wires inside (i used those twisty ties to tie together the wires to make stuff look cleaner). I did take off all the wires to the motherboard. After i tried to start up again my computer froze at different places each time. Once at the "Dell" screen, a couple at the blank screen with the cursor in the top left, then i got a message saying that my 3com NIC wasn't working properly(i didn't touch any of my cards), then it tried to "update hardware " and would freeze everytime. Finally after many many reboots i got to the desktop. I don't know why but i checked my CPU temp and it was at 45degrees when it was always at 37 degrees before.
what in the heck can be my problem???
 
PC's have you have found out can be very tempremental, the fact that you have been in there could have disturbed a card or connection even if you hadn't intentionally meant to.
My advise would be to open it up again remove and refit everything, ONE BY ONE, not all together, make absolutely sure all connectors and cards are fully seated etc.
One last point, these twisty wires you have used to tidy up your cables have metal wires down the centre of them?????
Remove them and use nylon cable ties! you are just asking for trouble if one touches the motherboard or a live connector. Martin.
 
I meant i was using those plastic cable ties.. not the twisties. Also, after the computer finally booted up, i played some games then did a reboot to see if it would boot up again without any problems.. and it booted up fine. If my problems are fixed, and i did NOTHING other than keep rebooting, what was the problem and can i expect it to happen again???

PS - thx for the quick response paparazi
 
If you're quite sure the temp is now higher than before, then this could be the cause of the freezing. Check to see if the CPU fan is turning correctly. Do you have other fans inside the case? Make sure they are all turning - a fan connector plug maybe not correctly located?

Have you removed and replaced the CPU heatsink and fan? If so, then it's a good idea when replacing it to lightly re-smear the mating surfaces with heatsink compound, just to ensure good thermal conductivity.

Check to see that any air intakes into the case are not blocked with dirt and dust which can accumulate over even a relatively short time.


ROGER - GØAOZ.
 
It is possible something didn't load properly on boot and a simple reboot has cured your problems? fingers crossed.
Better do a thorough scan disk with fix and hope that nothing is corrupted. Martin
 
I've had similar problems since upgrading my tired old beast to a 500mhz K6-2. What can happen, particularly if you running a little bit hot, is that the temperature change when you turn the machine off can result in just enough of a static buildup to confuse the motherboard. Unplug everything and let it sit for a bit.

I've been battling this on and off. Today I got a ferric core that I'm going to attach to my power cord to see if that will help things out.

(Granted, a large part of my problem is that my house is 50 years old and none of the outlets are properly grounded.)
 
If you're getting a static build up, then ferrite rings or cores will do nothing to relieve it. The purpose of these is to reduce or stop unwanted signals (usually RF) from travelling along cables and disrupting the circuitry. You shouldn't be getting a static build up on the case or components inside unless you're pulling the mains plug out when you switch off (not advisable). If, as you say, none of your outlets is grounded properly, then you have a very dangerous electrical installation! This is an accident waiting to happen... For your own safety and that of any visitors, I would very strongly recommend you fix immediately, before a fatality occurs, and you're sued for negligence.

ROGER - GØAOZ.
 
The power supply for my laptop (Dell Inspiron 3500) has a ferrite core just in front of the plug that attaches to the laptop. The Inspiron 5000 power supply does not have a ferrite core. What's the difference between the two? The 5000 has a three-pronged (grounded) plug, while the 3500 has a two-prong (ungrounded) plug.

As for the wiring, again, it's a 50 year-old house. Upgrading the wiring is one of my plans, but I have to hit the lottery first.
 
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