System Powers Off

Blue|Fusion · Posted: Tue, 05 Dec 2006 20:10:24 Post Subject: System Powers Off

Hey guys,

I am currently on the phone with my sister about her dying Dell Dimension. She says that it powers up and gets to the login screen, but when she logs in, the system dies completely...doesn't freeze, just powers off. I figured it's an overheating issue (inside hasn't been cleaned out since she got it several years ago). To test this theory, I SSH'd into the desktop and started running a Prime95 stress test. Within about 2 minutes, she said it died again while doing this.

Keep in mind I don't have physical access to the system myself and my family aren't that computer literate, so I'm trying to talk my sister through this...

Anyway, the side of the case is off. I had her carefully remove the massive amounts of dust on the heatsink and shroud and try again. Same thing, pretty much.

Now that this has been discoered, I am wondering if maybe it could be an PSU problem. To date, I never had a PSU die on me so I don't know what the exact symptoms are of that. Anyone have any clues as to what I should ask her to look for?

By the way, it is a Dell Dimension 2350 with 256MB RAM, P4 2.0GHz, and some PATA 30GB drive.

**Modulok** · Posted: Tue, 05 Dec 2006 20:15:30 Post Subject: Re: System Powers Off

Blue|Fusion · Posted: Tue, 05 Dec 2006 20:36:58 Post Subject:

She's complaining about she needs money to save up for a car. I would just build her a computer anyway, because this Dell already raised hell with me when I had to talk to Dell support for 6 hours about their faulty onboard NIC that was under warranty. It was then and there (3am) that I vowed to never mess with OEMs like Dell or Gateway again...and so far it's working great Smile

. Thanks for the offer, though.

I'm only trying to fix this for her over the phone now because it's the only computer in our house and she needs it for some papers or whatever for school and I won't get a chance to get home until next week...

**Modulok** · Posted: Tue, 05 Dec 2006 21:29:17 Post Subject:

good thinking! We only get dells for work desktops/laptops.

It does sound like overheating or a psu issue, maybe bring it outside and use a can o air and get that junk out of the fans/heatsinks. If she could swap a psu for another that's an idea too if there is a spare.

edvallie · Posted: Tue, 05 Dec 2006 22:10:40 Post Subject:

when you ssh in would you have enough time to get a utility and check the voltages? Or explain to her how to check in BIOS?

I'm not positive(and one of the senior members can correct me if im wrong), but I've gotta believe if the PSU is going she would be getting horrible voltage readings. (expecially if its causing her system to crash)

With the system just cutting off like that, I would suspect a failing PSU as well.

BeerCheeze · Posted: Tue, 05 Dec 2006 22:34:38 Post Subject:

Could very well be the PSU. When the PSU get's hot, it's power output declines. So as you're using it it will get hot and the power will decline and then... BOOP. Bye Bye PC.

Best bet is to get a can of compressed air and blow out the PSU, and make sure the fan (if any) is running.

PC Power & Cooling makes replacements for the PSU. http://www.pcpower.com/products/viewproduct.php?show=S41D2 Laughing

not a lot cheaper than a new unit though.

Here's a cheaper unit http://www.power-on.com/atx250dl.html

Blue|Fusion · Posted: Tue, 05 Dec 2006 23:03:02 Post Subject:

Well I'm pretty sure the issue had to do with overheating. I know the system has been going in and out of throttling mode for like the past year, but she never wants me to help her or fix it since it's "not broken." I had her carefully take the green shroud off of the CPU heatsink assembly and she said the heatsink just fell right off. Apparently, one of the clamps was not properly fastened and the heatsink was never seated properly.

Unfortunately for her, I won't be coming home until next week, but atleast it sounds salvagable. I am just wondering...know where I can get a good thermal pad, or can I substite the pad with some AS5 after wiping it clean with some rubbing alcohol?

edvallie · Posted: Tue, 05 Dec 2006 23:04:20 Post Subject:

Blue|Fusion · Posted: Wed, 06 Dec 2006 02:19:21 Post Subject:

Sounds good to me. I just wasn't sure if there is enough pressure on the chip since it's using thermal paste instead of the few mm thick thermal pad. I'll try it out and see how it goes.

mrweasel · Posted: Wed, 06 Dec 2006 09:04:30 Post Subject:

could be that some caps on the board are blown--mostly the VRM caps. Seen that with Dells too many times, especially with Optis