Heat Problem on old system

[SBGTF]

I've got my old machine giving me some heat problems.

The computer is an AMD Thunderbird 1GHz on a DFI AK-74EC motherboard with 312MB of SDRAM. Its been a great computer but its 4 years old. I'm going to give it to my daughter, but I've run into a problem.

Within 5 minutes of boot, the computer will trip the CPU temperature alarm. The alarm is set for 60 degrees celcius. This will happen irregardless of what is running, even if its just BIOS. I'm getting the reading from BIOS PC Health Screen.

What could be the problem? My only thought is that maybe the shop that built it (now out of business) used thermal grease between the heatsink and processer and that the thermal grease has broken down and is not providing the protection it once did.

Any thoughts or ideas on how I can fix this machine?

 

[SwiftWind]

AMDs are usually safe up to 70+ , they tend to run hot, especially with a stock heatsink. You may just get artic silver and a cheap heatsink with a copper base at least and you should be set.

 

[jackoooo]

I know you have probably checked this but have you checked to make sure your heatsink fan is working ok and doesn't have dust built up on the blades and heatsink?

 

[bendixG15]

The thing is four years old and you got a heat problem..the fan is dying

Time for a new Fan...
Just remove the old heat sink, clean it up, put some new stuff on the core,
and install a new fan

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: jackoooo
I know you have probably checked this but have you checked to make sure your heatsink fan is working ok and doesn't have dust built up on the blades and heatsink?

Right, start by cleaning the HS. If that doesn't do it, check your fan and maybe reapply thermal compound.