General System Overheating Problems
Explanation: The system is exhibiting behavior that suggests that there may be an
overheating problem with a component, or with the system as a whole. Usually the symptoms
that suggest this are heat that is noticeably felt inside the case or on a component, or
erratic behavior such as system lockups.
Diagnosis: Overheating is one of the main enemies of a reliable system. A PC that
runs hot will have a shorter life span for its components, and at extremes of temperature,
the possibility exists that the system will be unstable. It is even possible (though rare)
for the overheating components to be damaged. The
importance of system cooling is discussed in more detail here. One problem with
diagnosing overheating problems is that symptoms can be related. For example, a processor
overheating can lead to other components overheating; similarly, ventilation problems
within the system case can exacerbate a problem cooling a processor that runs hot.
Recommendation: Turn on the PC and run it for about an hour with the case on, in
the way you normally would use it on a daily basis. Then perform the following checks:
 Warning: Be very careful when
checking components for their heat level. You want to make sure you do not burn yourself,
and you want to make sure you do not zap the component with static electricity. Before you
test any component for its heat level, ground yourself on the case of the power supply
box, and only touch the component at first for a fraction of a second until you can verify
if it is really hot or not.
- Read this section in the System Care Guide on
system cooling, and particularly on ventilation and air flow within the case. Consider
taking some of the suggested steps to help you improve the ventilation inside the case if
is not adequate.
- Check the fan on the power supply to make sure it is running. This is the primary
cooling mechanism for the PC case and if it is not working, the chances are good that
something within the PC may be running too hot. If the fan has stopped, or if the volume
of air it is moving seems low, troubleshoot it here.
- Carefully touch the system processor, or the heat sink near where it attaches to the
processor. If it feels so hot that you must withdraw your finger immediately, you likely
have a processor cooling problem. Continue here.
- Check the following components on the motherboard to see if they are running very hot:
cache chips (or cache/COASt module), voltage regulator heat sink, BIOS chip. If any of
these are running very hot and you are having problems with your motherboard, it may be
bad. The voltage regulator can get very hot when some chips are used, and you may need to
add extra cooling to keep it at operating temperature. The other components on the
motherboard should not get very hot. If you are using a Cyrix 6x86 chip, make sure the
motherboard is approved to use it or problems with overheating of the voltage regulator
may result.
- Check the system memory to make sure it is not overheating. It should be warm but not
too hot to the touch. Overheated memory is a symptom of either bad
memory or problems with the motherboard.
- Check the hard disks' temperature as well. If they are running very hot then you
may need to take corrective action.
- If you are having repeated or continual heating problems within the case, you may want
to consider moving your system into a larger case.
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