Random shutdowns problem, overheating or bad temp sensor?

[Smartazz]

I was using my desktop yessterday when it just shut off on me. When I started it back up, it wouldn't get to the Windows loading screen before shutting off. I tried again an hour later and it got to my desktop then shut itself off. I checked the BIOS and I saw that the temperature started around 60C, then worked its way very quickly up to 125C over the course of about fourty seconds. I'm using a Scythe Mine and it's been good for the past year. Do you think that my temperature sensor is broken, or do you think something's wrong with the cooling. The cooling has been fine for the past year, but the fact that the temperature increased so quickly and didn't start at 125C really worries me. Any ideas what the problem could be and what I can do about it? Thanks.

Update: The cooler wasn't attached because the piece of plastic that holds it down snapped. Can I buy a new plastic mounting bracket, or do I need another motherboard?

 

[JustaGeek]

I would remove and re-seat your CPU HSF, perhaps it came loose for some reason.

And reset the CMOS after that.

 

[21stHermit]

Originally posted by: Smartazz
I checked the BIOS and I saw that the temperature started around 60C, then worked its way very quickly up to 125C over the course of about fourty seconds. I'm using a Scythe Mine and it's been good for the past year. Do you think that my temperature sensor is broken, or do you think something's wrong with the cooling.

If you stay in the BIOS, will it also shutdown?

I'm having a similiar problem, but in my case the CPU temp stays below 60C.

Hermit

 

[21stHermit]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
reset the CMOS after that.

Where and how do you reset CMOS?

Thanks
Hermit

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: 21stHermit

Originally posted by: Smartazz
I checked the BIOS and I saw that the temperature started around 60C, then worked its way very quickly up to 125C over the course of about fourty seconds. I'm using a Scythe Mine and it's been good for the past year. Do you think that my temperature sensor is broken, or do you think something's wrong with the cooling.

If you stay in the BIOS, will it also shutdown?

I'm having a similiar problem, but in my case the CPU temp stays below 60C.

Hermit

The first time I booted into the bios, it reset itself as soon as I got in(because it was probably hot from last time I tried). When I tried again, I let it cool down, then I rushed into the hardware monitoring tab. Then I saw it start at 60C then climb up around 5C every second.

To answer your other question, pull the battery out of the motherboard to reset the bios, or look at your motherboard's manual because there might be jumpers to do the same thing.

 

[JustaGeek]

To reset the CMOS (on most of today's motherboards).

1. Turn off power, disconnect power cord.
2. Remove the battery.
3. Place the "Reset CMOS" jumper on the "Reset" pin position (usually the adjacent 2 out of 3 pins - you can find it in the Manual) Normal OOo Reset oOO
4. Wait anywhere between 15 seconds to 10 minutes (longer the better - you can press the power button in the meantime to drain the capacitors).
5. Place the jumper in the "Normal" position OOo
6. Re-install the battery
7. Plug-in the power cord.
8. Power on, enter BIOS, go to the end, LOAD SETUP DEFAULTS, Exit and Save.
9. Re-enter the BIOS and do all of your manual settings required.

OO - jumper
o - free pin

 

[jjzelinski]

Is the heat sink hot? Can you feel any heat on it at all? What about the socket? It really does sound as if you're truly overheating...

Try a different heat sink. Perhaps the mout broke, clip or somethig.

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: jjzelinski
Is the heat sink hot? Can you feel any heat on it at all? What about the socket? It really does sound as if you're truly overheating...

Try a different heat sink. Perhaps the mout broke, clip or somethig.

Well, the temperature will shoot up to 125C on the sensor in about 20 sec. which doesn't really give the Scythe Mine enough time to warm up at all even if it were cooling correctly because it's so big. I haven't tried feeling around the socket, I'll try feeling around the socket. If there is a heatsink problem I'll just try to reapply some Arctic Silver on it and if that doesn't work, I have another heatsink I can use.

 

[itwgas]

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2083520&enterthread=y

i've been having the same problem too. i cant figure it out. my temps are way HOT. but everything inside is COOL. now, to add to that problem, my pc keeps freezing on me, especially if the tower gets bumped.

 

[btcomm1]

It makes sense that your heatsink is not hot, in fact that is directly related to the problem. Are you sure your heatsink is tight and right against the CPU? What if you push the heat sink against the CPU? Does the CPU temp go down?

 

[Smartazz]

I openned up my computer and found that the bracket that holds the cooler down has snapped on one end. The heatsink wasn't resting against the CPU causing the overheating. Can I buy a new plastic bracket, or do I need a new motherboard?

 

[btcomm1]

The plastic bracket can be bought and replaced. I would caution you though, I have ruined a couple of motherboards replacing it. The trick is to not try and take a shortcut, just be very careful when replacing it. You can usually get replacement brackets at frys or a computer store or online.

You could also try and ask the motherboard manufacturer if you can't find it anywhere else.

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: btcomm1
The plastic bracket can be bought and replaced. I would caution you though, I have ruined a couple of motherboards replacing it. The trick is to not try and take a shortcut, just be very careful when replacing it. You can usually get replacement brackets at frys or a computer store or online.

You could also try and ask the motherboard manufacturer if you can't find it anywhere else.

Okay thanks. I'll be sure to keep that in mind. Would I have to take out the motherboard to get this in by any chance?

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Originally posted by: Smartazz

Originally posted by: btcomm1
The plastic bracket can be bought and replaced. I would caution you though, I have ruined a couple of motherboards replacing it. The trick is to not try and take a shortcut, just be very careful when replacing it. You can usually get replacement brackets at frys or a computer store or online.

You could also try and ask the motherboard manufacturer if you can't find it anywhere else.

Okay thanks. I'll be sure to keep that in mind. Would I have to take out the motherboard to get this in by any chance?

Yes