Kinda unusual problem... WHAT IF IT HAPPENS? :-)

[Benedikt]

Hi guys,

I have kind of unusual problem with my cpu. No, no hardware defect, maybe it's just a silly problem but:
As I leave my PC running when I need to convert a divx film, and I try to do this when I'm not at home if possible, I am worried everytime about overheating when I leave my home. What if the fan is defective? What if it's going to stop working?
Maybe I'm just paranoid but:

1.) Were there any cases of a house burning because of a overheated PC? When a processor overheats, does it "just smoke" or could it be possible that the whole PC tower starts to burn... There ARE some materials inside that could burn easily... and think of the condensers
2.) How could I protect my home against it, as my PC stands inside of a closed wooden box to make it more silent? The box has of course some holes to keep the air circulating!

As I said, please don't laugh... it's my own problem and maybe it's just silly but... what if the proc. really does overheat? Kinda risky, isn't it?

Greetings and I'm waiting for your opinion...

Bene

 

[Benedikt]

....bump...
C'mon guys, anyone had a burning comp yet?

Greetings

Bene

 

[rbV5]

How could I protect my home against it,

Make sure your homeowner's policy is up to date, and stop sweating it...life's too short

 

[Mardeth]

Yep a bit paranoid. But anyway some motherboardshave a feature which turns the computer off when the proseccor gets over a certain temprature, you should check your bios or the little book you got with the comp. if you have it.

 

[jiffylube1024]

If you're really worried about overheating, then get a P4 (unless you have one already, then don't sweat it) - P4's just underclock themselves down to nothing, essentially when they are about to overheat. They do not go up in smoke (check out a demo at www.tomshardware.com).

 

[Benedikt]

Thanks guys, ok, but...

The question I'm interested in is:
COULD an overheated processor be the reason for a fire? IF a cpu does overheat, are the horror stories true that it really starts to burn (a flash flame)?
What if the electrolyt capacitors start to burn? How much time is left after a cpu is overheated until the major parts start to burn?
And: Were there any cases of burning computers to be the reason for a larger fire?

Greetings and thanks for your help in advance.

Bene

 

[pillage2001]

Originally posted by: Benedikt
Thanks guys, ok, but...

The question I'm interested in is:
COULD an overheated processor be the reason for a fire? IF a cpu does overheat, are the horror stories true that it really starts to burn (a flash flame)?
What if the electrolyt capacitors start to burn? How much time is left after a cpu is overheated until the major parts start to burn?
And: Were there any cases of burning computers to be the reason for a larger fire?

Greetings and thanks for your help in advance.

Bene

Unless you use water cooling and yet don't use water but petrol as your coolant. It MIGHT happen.

 

[mechBgon]

Kinda unusual problem... WHAT IF IT HAPPENS?

If it happens, then replacing all your posessions will make buying movies (instead of "converting" them) look like an affordable alternative Eh?

 

[tritium4ever]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Kinda unusual problem... WHAT IF IT HAPPENS?

If it happens, then replacing all your posessions will make buying movies (instead of "converting" them) look like an affordable alternative Eh?

LOL! I stopped downloading movies a long time ago because of the time it took (even over my cable connection) and the generally poor quality of most bootleg films.

 

[dejitaru]

short answer: There is no reason it should happen.

That would be a great, great defect, grounds for a lawsuit.

Personal computers don't get that hot.

People run servers for days at a time.

Electronics are designed to be used.

Something of that sort would be clearly delineated, possibly on the front of the box.

another solution: don't get Pentiums


-Ace

 

[AndyHui]

another solution: don't get Pentiums

Huh?

 

[Drsignguy]

Originally posted by: dejitaru


another solution: don't get Pentiums


-Ace

That is a STUPID answer.:disgust:

 

[CrazySaint]

First, as the others (except for dejitaru

) have said, if you've got a P4, it simply will not go up in smoke. Period. While an AMD chip theoreticall could go up in smoke, it would be over in about a second, which while it might melt your CPU socket, it won't be long enough to catch anything else on fire. Also, don't forget that the whole setup is inside a metal case, so any "fire" would be contained within the case itself. People have actually posted here and told how their CPU went up in flames while they were gone and the only thing that happened was they had to buy some new parts. And if you've gotta stick your computer inside a wooden box to make it cooler, the its time to rethink your cooling solution And yes, you're being paranoid

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: AndyHui

another solution: don't get Pentiums

Huh?

I think he means Athlons...

 

[Benedikt]

Sorry guys...
Don't bash around on me do you? As I said maybe it's kinda paranoid.
The whole thing came up when a guy once told me about his computer at home catching fire...

But a cheesy feeling stays...


Greetings

Bene

 

[randomboy]

What you should do is design a circuit that detects temps, and when it detects temps that are about hot as fire, it cuts all power to the case and then sets off a mini sprinkler system in the case to douse the fire Place it all neatly in your case, and you'll have a stylish, yet fireproof case (Or something...... )

Jeff

 

[tRaptor]

Dont worry about it dude. I used to worry about that too, but i was more afraid that my fan would die and there would be nooone to save my processor/mobo.


If you are really paranoid then jsut use Motherboard monitor and SHUTDOWN NOW! and set it up to turn of your computer if the temps hits whatever you want it set at.

 

[dude]

In my old company, we had a switch that was the size of a good few rooms, with acid batteries for backup not very far from the switches, which can explode in a fire. Anyways, the switches produces an immense amount of heat, as they are the computers that sorts and pipes data (yes, your internet connection) to colo's.

Anyways, these machines have been on for years, and every day, we leave the switch, those hot as hell machines are running. Next day, we come back to work, and they are still there. I never had the thought about it burning down, and losing my job. So you shouldn't either.

I also have my computer in my room running for about 2 years straight and maybe being turned off for maybe a few minutes to do hardware upgrades.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

If you have a home security system with monitoring just have them install a heat sensor in your computer room. I have one located near my kitchen which is kind of centrally located in my home and it will notify the service who'll have the fire dept. at my house in a flash in the event of a fire should it detect a minimum temp of 110f. It might give you some peace of mind as being in the room you are concerned about it's probability of detecting a computer fire would be excellent.

 

[Need4Speed]

man i'd hate to hang out with you...you need to loosen up just a hair and stop worrying so much about the little things...
if the fan fails and the cpu burns up, it will all be over in a matter of seconds....it wont burn the house down.