Web Hosting Talk : Other Forums : Computers and Peripherals : Need Computer Help...

[4daggers]

My desktop, a Compaq Presario AMD Athlon XP 1.67GHz, is having a problem where it apparently overheats (it smells like something may be burning/hot) and turns itself off... As far as I can tell, the fan seems to be functioning, so I'm pretty sure that isn't the problem.

But here's the kicker, maybe 1 out of every 5 times I try to turn it on, it goes on and stays on with no problems (no smell or anything), but the other 4 times, it will start to smell within 5 minutes and shut down within 6 or 7 (and when it shuts itself off, I have to wait 1-2 hours before turning it back on or it will shut itself off ina couple seconds).

This has been going on for a couple months now (I've been primarily using my laptop, but my printer & scanner are hooked up to my desktop).

Any ideas as to what is wrong?

[Disgruntled]

I think you need to take it in to a good repair shop. Assuming that you do hear the fan going, it could be corrosion, the heat sink becoming detached, or various other problems for which there is no substitute for someone who knows what he or she is doing looking inside. Meanwhile, if it is running and not smelling like it's burning, take this opportunity to get caught up on backing up your files.

[Rich]

4daggers, the same thing happened to my desktop and it ended up being the heatsink falling off. Bad, bad, bad... It burned up my processor and may have damaged the motherboard. Take it to a shop!

[4daggers]

Okay...so I did some observing...and what happens is that every time I turn on the computer the fan spins really slowly and maybe one out of every ten times it gets to normal speed...whereas the other 9 times it just stops.

So I'm pretty sure I need a new power supply....however the part is around $240 (and the computer was originally $699 and that was a couple years ago).

Should I replace the part or buy a new comp??

[4daggers]

Part three of my question.....

If I buy a new computer now...I thought I may have read somewhere that they will give you a free upgrade to Vista...or is that not the case??

[Rich]

You can get a decent power supply for around a hundred bucks, no need to spend $240 if you think that actually is the problem.

By the fan, do you mean the one where you plug the power in (in the power supply), or the fan on top of the processor that sits on the motherboard? (that'd be the heat sink, and much less money).

Part 3 answer: I don't know what you're talking about.. who is doing that, Dell, Gateway, HP? If so, go for it if you feel like spending money.. but I don't think you need to do anything except replace a part or two... less than a hundred dollar repair as long as no parts have been damaged.

[4daggers]

Originally Posted by Rich

You can get a decent power supply for around a hundred bucks, no need to spend $240 if you think that actually is the problem.

By the fan, do you mean the one where you plug the power in (in the power supply), or the fan on top of the processor that sits on the motherboard? (that'd be the heat sink, and much less money).

Part 3 answer: I don't know what you're talking about.. who is doing that, Dell, Gateway, HP? If so, go for it if you feel like spending money.. but I don't think you need to do anything except replace a part or two... less than a hundred dollar repair as long as no parts have been damaged.

I know pretty much nothing when it comes to computer hardware...

I was just looking up the replacement part that is listed for my computer. How would I find one cheaper that would work with the computer I have?

[cmanns]

The fan have any resistance?

Open her up

[IH-Rameen]

Could you possibly take a picture of the part that is causing the problem? The computer has a few fans so it's hard for us to say what to replace without seeing what the problem is...

[keenan0125]

i have the same exact problem as 4daggers....except mine never works 0 out of 10 times will it work and stay on

[Rich]

Yes.. we need to know what part, and then you can do some shopping on NewEgg.com or ZipZoomFly.com

[KGIII]

Originally Posted by 4daggers

Part three of my question.....

If I buy a new computer now...I thought I may have read somewhere that they will give you a free upgrade to Vista...or is that not the case??

Doubtful... I highly doubt it. If they do it will be the chintzy Vista Home Basic version. Without a pricing model being known with any certainty at this point it is unlikely they'd be offering any such thing. OEM bulk orders are expected to get Vista Chintz version for about $50 USD while the bells and whistles will cost a great deal more.

KGIII