Another sorry end

[matraw]

Just like salopiangrowler I've had the wonderful experience of losing all my backups and "frontups" but hey, my son has upgraded to a new computer thats bigger and faster so I get to use his cast off.
Trouble is , after installing Trainsim it will not run for any length of time , 3o seconds to three minutes.
So perhaps my CDs are marked, they have been used a few times over the past three years. Then I thought , try someone elses. Thats what I've done, borrowed a freinds copy, result , exactly the same problem.
Has anyone else had this problem because I'm getting withdrawal symptoms not being able to use this faster machine and dont want to trust the older one with all the files unzipped again. Takes blooming ages to sort cab and sound alias's.
The older computer was running Windows 2000 because ME used to crash it but this one has XP which was cleared first before reinstalling it to get shot of all the stuff he had on it.
Hope someone can help me but dont hold out much hope though. Born pessimist.
In anticipation Matraw

[dkightley]

Sounds like your cpu overheating.....

Do a search on overheat* and view the threads.

[salopiangrowler]

Theres a very nice CPU alarm programme available i think its from the same guy as Zone alarm is, it does a world of good, as the CPU reaches the above average temperature the alarm goes off, if you ignore it after 3 minutes the computer reboots itself, but will not start till CPU temperature has dropped to the minimum.

[matraw]

Thanks for the replies.
I've put one of the free programmes on the system (Lavalys) and it shows the cpu reaching 64C.
I didnt think that was too hot but still it crashes. Turned down the settings below those I was using on my slower machine. Hooray! now I can run the six basic routes with no problems, but I dont use them anymore except for training (me) how to build activities etc. and for downloaded routes ie CC4. Thats what has really cheesed me off, can't run Dons work for any length of time and had just completed a couple of activities for it!
Still, I'll keep plugging away, might find the reason for it.

Thanks anyway

Matraw

[nwallace]

Get your cooling problem sorted out,
fans sucking in on the front and blowing out at the back should get you some more airflow in the case, a bigger case will also help.

But first find out from your Son whether he had overheating problems or not

[jbilton]

Hi
Yes I'm afraid 64c is "very" warm....average temp for a Pentium 32-34c.
And AMDs run at between 35c-55c.
Generally most motherboards shut down the CPU at 72-74cc .....as the silicon will short out at 84c...permanently.
Cheers
Jon

[matraw]

Your right guys.
My lad said he was running it with the side casing off and a desktop fan blasting it during last summer. So I'll have to have a peek and see if the cpu is bunged up with dust.
Thanks for the advice and pointers on the forum for those sites I'd never have found by myself.

Cheers

Matraw

[salopiangrowler]

dust shouldnt be a problem if theres a constant flow of air rushing through, although static is created by the CPU, try Turbo fans at the front this help the CPU cool down and also cools the hard drive. It may not have anything to do with the CPU, it could be the Harddrive itself. You can cook an egg on my mate 240Gb harddrive.

[chrisiveson]

Please don't totally disregard dust though, it can, in unusual circumstances
CATCH FIRE. I invested in one of those canisters of compressed air from the computer shop, handy for anyone who is able to take the lid off the PC.
WARNING: Cover the eyes and mouth etc.
Also seen at computer fair recently: USB mini-vacuum cleaner. Going to buy one next time

Chris

[choccy]

Ask your son whether he has overclocked the processor and/or the graphics card! Mark

[nestfilms]

Hi
Yes I'm afraid 64c is "very" warm....average temp for a Pentium 32-34c.
And AMDs run at between 35c-55c.
Generally most motherboards shut down the CPU at 72-74cc .....as the silicon will short out at 84c...permanently.
Cheers
Jon

And PCI\agp cards will start acting up as they near or go over 49/50
including the psu fans i have about 10 in mine

[arabiandisco]

If you know anything much about how to, it is a good idea to check the heatsink/ fan combo is correctly fitted, and that the thermal "jelly" between the two is in decent condition - under some circumstances the "jelly" can actually start to insulate the CPU from the heatsink, which is obviously a bad thing! If all is well there, then it might be wise to invest in a better fan/heatsink, as some kind of lash-up involving a desk fan is clearly not a great way to do things.

If you have a slightly dodgy connection within the cpu, then that will cause it to apparently work, but it will get extra hot as the connection will be carrying currents which it is not "rated" to do in it's condition. If this is the case, then the only solution is a new cpu.

Either way, the excessive heat will reduce the cpu's lifespan, so it is advisible to get it sorted asap. Any componant in there getting too hot is bad news, so you should ensure the whole system is adequately cooled. Sadly, though Nitrogen is about the same price as milk, noone has come up with commerical cryogenic cooling yet!

[Tonysmedley]

Most PC suppliers do not obviously say whether and at what price they sell heat sink paste. Advice on good sources would help.

[arabiandisco]

The only time I ever bought some was at a computer fair a good few years back.

I would guess places like dabs would have it, but I really wouldn't know where to go to get it.

[arabiandisco]

http://www.dabs.com/uk/Search2/results. ... mal+grease

Top two products would probably be the thing (the second one will clean the existing muck off, and then apply the top one in it's place). inexpensive enough, but be aware that applying excessive amounts is one of the things that will cause it to insulate the heatsink.

I provide no warranty on my advice...