Overheating?. Help.

BubblemanBubbleman A Desert
edited February 2005 in Hardware
Hi Its bubbleman.


My computer is a dell dimension 4600

and it stops at anytime with distorted color blocks on the screen and if you wait for 30 minutes it will say there has been a serious device failure shutdown now.

But it recently did this again so I went to open my computer and it was very hot! The air was pretty hot. The fans work fine tho.

I lost my computer manual I search for it in a second but I only have 2 fans. The fan on the power supply and this green huge one.

Let me post pictures.

img05390yr.th.jpg

img05417ig.th.jpg

img05424yj.th.jpg

Im pretty surtain its overheating. But how would I stop this? Should I buy another fan? How do I check the tempeture?

Thx In regards.

Reply Back.

~ Bubbleman

Comments

  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited February 2005
    Well ideally you'd want to buy another computer anyhow as dell desktops are, uh, not very good (although the 4600 is better than most...), but that doesn't mean that you couldn't fix it for a lot less than the price of a new computer... probably <$100 in fact, if it is indeed overheating. Let's see those pics :)
  • BubblemanBubbleman A Desert
    edited February 2005
    What would be the cheapest alternative? Can I just add a nice little fan :)
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited February 2005
    It depends on what the problem is...
  • TheSmJTheSmJ
    edited February 2005
    Did you try cleaning out all the heatsinks using a can of compressed air (or better yet, an air compressor)?
  • carpetmancarpetman
    edited February 2005
    If you know how to go into your computers BIOS settings you might be able to find your temputures that your computer is running at. It depends on what kind of BIOS you have but i can find mine under Hardware Monitor...good luck
  • lemonlimelemonlime Canada Member
    edited February 2005
    Hi Bubbleman,

    I don't think that model of Dell incorperates any sort of temperature monitoring system. Although Dell Dimension/Optiplex systems do not have the best cooling systems, they are usually designed to operate reliably in a wide variety of environmental conditions. I noticed from the picture that your system does not have an AGP graphics card installed, so I assume you are using the onboard Intel Extreme graphics system. Chances are, that portion of the mainboard is overheating, or expereicing some kind of failure.

    I would recommend opening the side of your case, and placing a household desk fan on blowing onto the mainboard. Fire up your favorite game or start using your PC. If the problem persists, I would contact Dell, (assuming your system is under warantee) to get your mainboard replaced.

    Is your PC low to the ground in an enclosed desk of some kind? You may wish to move it to a higher, more open location which allows for better airflow.

    You could also optionally add a frontal case fan (hard to tell from the pictures, however an 80mm fan may fit in the front, you could call Dell to find out). Another option would be to place a heatsink of some kind on the southbridge chip (I am not sure, but the onboard graphics may be present on that chip). Assuming that is what is overheating, it could help.

    Ideally, you should contact Dell regarding your problems, as I don't think that sort of thing should be occuring with a brand name system like that. If you are still covered under warantee, they may be able to assist.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited February 2005
    Your Dimension should not be overheating if all the fans are in good working and are clean. As mentioned, clean your fans and heatsinks. Do you know what we mean by "heatsink"?
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited February 2005
    Using canned air (get some from the office supply store if you need to), blow out the heatsinks.

    Unplug the computer, and take that green plastic duct off the case fan. Blow out the heatsink (the metal thing with fins) underneath the duct, and the small black heatsink (the finned thing again :)) below it. Hold the fan still with your finger and blow it out too. Put the duct back on, close it up, and see if the problem goes away. If it doesn't, the board is likely damaged. It could be overheating, but the P4 doesn't have overheating problems, and the chipset (under the small heatsink) has such a high maximum operating temperature that I doubt it's overheating.

    If cleaning it out does fix it, some cooling upgrades may be in order... total cost: <$100
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