Overheating CPU

[Chrisb41]

Hi,

I have this computer which had a few simple software problems that I fixed up. I took out the CPU heat sink and fan unit and cleared the dust out of it (There was a lot of dust in it) I put it all back in. It now starts up reaches the 100 degree CPU temp limit and shut downs in about 10 seconds.
I can get into the BIOS and see the temp rising. The fan is working the heat sink is secure and inserted correctly I have tried to take it out and put it back in and it still over heating.
I don't know why it would be doing this when it is being cooled.
Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Skyhooker]

You never mentioned it, so I'll assume you did not reapply thermal paste. Whenever you remove a heat sink, you must thoroughly clean off the old paste (I use pure isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs), apply fresh paste per manufacturer's instructions, and then replace the heat sink. Otherwise, there are huge (at least on the scale of the processor) air gaps where the sink is not contacting the processor thermal pad, and the heat it being trapped there rather than conducted to the sink. Even if you just reposition a heat sink with freshly applied paste, you'll still get gaps if you break the seal, so you'll need to clean and reapply it yet again.

Try Arctic Silver 5, it's the best I know of.

 

[Chrisb41]

yeah that makes sense i do not have any paste at the moment (ran out)
will get some
I usually do put the paste on for new computer builds
Will try this and get back to the post
Thanks

 

[Chrisb41]

it works simple fix

 

[MobileTechie]

Are you saying you're a computer tech??

 

[Chrisb41]

just as a bit of background about me i am a programmer so software is my specialty not hardware

 

[TLE]

just as a bit of background about me i am a programmer so software is my specialty not hardware

So am I, but I would never remove a heatsink without refreshing the themal paste. If I didn't have any thermal paste, I would have either ordered it, or removed the dust using another method such as compressed air and a brush.

Thank god for Thermal Cutout, lesson learnt. If you are going to work as a tech and charge people, you should at least learn about the hardware you are dealing with or avoid those jobs and stick to software.

 

[MobileTechie]

Yeah i'd really suggesting reading up and getting experienced on H/W because a large proportion of the work is H/W related.

Reading Scott Mueller's Upgrading & Repairing PCs, the latest edition will tell you almost all you could want to know about PC H/W.

 

[Tom Hudson]

I had a friend do the same thing. He told me his computer was getting really noisy and locking up. I told him it might be overheating and he should clean out his heatsink.

Two days later he called me up and told me it was a good job I got him to clean it out as there was this wierd grey stuff between the cooler and the cpu, but the problem was only getting worse.

(He watched a video on youtube on how to remove his heatsink)

I could not stop laughing!