[azuca138753]

I have a computer by Emachines that has Windows XP. Occasionally, my hard drive will just shut off by itself. I know that a virus is not the problem because I have scanned with AVG, found 1 virus, and removed it. Maybe this is due to my computer fan? When I start up my computer, the fan located next to the power cord (the fan that I assume is intended to keep the computer from overheating) often malfunctions and spins weakly, as if it is going out of power. I have to tap it with a pen in order to make it spin at all. It also strains during computer usage and makes revving noises. As a result, my computer gets really hot, and just shuts off randomly.

Can someone please help me with this frustrating issue? I would deeply appreciate it.

Thank you in advance,

Gared

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Modern Computers will shut off to protect themselves from overheating (called thermal protection)

The case fan you seem to describe is generally not the primary culprit in this--it's job is to remove heat from the case---the really critical fan is the one that sits atop the CPU

[gerryf]

Modern Computers will shut off to protect themselves from overheating (called thermal protection)

The case fan you seem to describe is generally not the primary culprit in this--it's job is to remove heat from the case---the really critical fan is the one that sits atop the CPU

[gerryf]

anyway, you should check the PC's temperature


download Everest the Home

http://www.geekstogo...tion=show&id=13

unzip it, install it, and then save a report and ATTACH it to your next post

[azuca138753]

Ok here's the report

Attached Files

•  Report.htm   240.82KB   17 downloads

[gerryf]

at rest, your cpu is pushing 62 degrees celcius

That is on the very high side if your pc is at rest/idle--the temp probably soars when doing heavy work.

Everest is only reading one fan--not sure which. Should be at least two...and the speed seems a little slow for a cpu fan (should be nearer 5000)


First thing I would do is open it up and clean the dust bunnies out of the cpu fan. (hold the blades and hit it with a can of compressed air--hold the blades because the compressed air will spin the fan so fast it will burn out the bearings)

[azuca138753]

Thank you--and compressed air can be found at most computer/hardware stores?

[Retired Tech]

This is one of many

http://www.falconsaf...?cat=1&subcat=1

http://www.instaoffi...DSXLPW6#details