That would be the northbridge heatsink. It could possibly help but its unlikely.
Experiencing Sudden WXP Shutdowns Lately
- Thread starter sleddriver
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Well, she suddenly shutdown again. Been up for several hours (~4.5). Had Starry Night, t-bird, & FF open. CPU usage wasn't that high. Had Process Explorer open, noticed several processes suddenly went RED, then app. windows started quickly closing.
I pulled off the side cover and stuck a finger on the CPU HS. Very warm, but not hot. However, the small black HS very close to it (Northbridge?) Very, very HOT! Even touching the small tips of the HS. Couldn't leave a fingertip on it more than 1/4 sec. It needs a larger HS!
So, I've found the HOT chip. Now I need to figure out a way to cool her down.
I pulled off the side cover and stuck a finger on the CPU HS. Very warm, but not hot. However, the small black HS very close to it (Northbridge?) Very, very HOT! Even touching the small tips of the HS. Couldn't leave a fingertip on it more than 1/4 sec. It needs a larger HS!
So, I've found the HOT chip. Now I need to figure out a way to cool her down.
Originally Posted By: sleddriver
Well, she suddenly shutdown again. Been up for several hours (~4.5). Had Starry Night, t-bird, & FF open. CPU usage wasn't that high. Had Process Explorer open, noticed several processes suddenly went RED, then app. windows started quickly closing.
I pulled off the side cover and stuck a finger on the CPU HS. Very warm, but not hot. However, the small black HS very close to it (Northbridge?) Very, very HOT! Even touching the small tips of the HS. Couldn't leave a fingertip on it more than 1/4 sec. It needs a larger HS!
So, I've found the HOT chip. Now I need to figure out a way to cool her down.
That MAY or may not be the problem. Don't get too excited. Northbridge chipsets tend to run very hot, depending on the situation. Only thing I can think of, pick up one of those antec "spot cools" and try that. Not really a whole lot else you can do, as those heatsinks are made application-specific usually.
Well, she suddenly shutdown again. Been up for several hours (~4.5). Had Starry Night, t-bird, & FF open. CPU usage wasn't that high. Had Process Explorer open, noticed several processes suddenly went RED, then app. windows started quickly closing.
I pulled off the side cover and stuck a finger on the CPU HS. Very warm, but not hot. However, the small black HS very close to it (Northbridge?) Very, very HOT! Even touching the small tips of the HS. Couldn't leave a fingertip on it more than 1/4 sec. It needs a larger HS!
So, I've found the HOT chip. Now I need to figure out a way to cool her down.
That MAY or may not be the problem. Don't get too excited. Northbridge chipsets tend to run very hot, depending on the situation. Only thing I can think of, pick up one of those antec "spot cools" and try that. Not really a whole lot else you can do, as those heatsinks are made application-specific usually.
I still say try swapping power supply. You were running stress test on CPU and RAM before and they seems not obviously bad, try to borrow a power supply for a while and see if it goes away.
I swap power supply with my dad's computer and the problem transferred to my computer, so obviously I found my problem.
I swap power supply with my dad's computer and the problem transferred to my computer, so obviously I found my problem.
The original 5150 PS died a very early death, as did scores of other Dells. I replaced it with a used Antec True 480W, which worked fine till earlier this year. So third up to bat and currently running is a Thermaltake TR2 430W, which is still under warranty (5 yrs.).
Still haven't found any SW able to monitor more than the temps of the two HD's. Voltage monitoring over time would be a huge help here.
Not having a spare handy, I'll fix the original PS to use as a backup and see what happens. That Northbridge IC sure does run hot!
Still haven't found any SW able to monitor more than the temps of the two HD's. Voltage monitoring over time would be a huge help here.
Not having a spare handy, I'll fix the original PS to use as a backup and see what happens. That Northbridge IC sure does run hot!
Originally Posted By: Nick R
Originally Posted By: sleddriver
Well, she suddenly shutdown again. Been up for several hours (~4.5). Had Starry Night, t-bird, & FF open. CPU usage wasn't that high. Had Process Explorer open, noticed several processes suddenly went RED, then app. windows started quickly closing.
I pulled off the side cover and stuck a finger on the CPU HS. Very warm, but not hot. However, the small black HS very close to it (Northbridge?) Very, very HOT! Even touching the small tips of the HS. Couldn't leave a fingertip on it more than 1/4 sec. It needs a larger HS!
So, I've found the HOT chip. Now I need to figure out a way to cool her down.
That MAY or may not be the problem. Don't get too excited. Northbridge chipsets tend to run very hot, depending on the situation. Only thing I can think of, pick up one of those antec "spot cools" and try that. Not really a whole lot else you can do, as those heatsinks are made application-specific usually.
If it is the northbridge that is the problem, he ought to be able to pick up a 40mm chipset fan for $7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185039
along with a pass thru adapter for $5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200499
They'll mount to pretty much any northbridge heatsink (even if you have to rotate it a bit to get 2 of the 4 holes to line up in a cooling fin gap so you can screw it in).
I tossed one on my northbridge when I built my machine 3 years ago. It didn't necessarily need it, but for $5 (at the time) I figured what the heck, why not since I was going to run a mild overclock.
Originally Posted By: sleddriver
Well, she suddenly shutdown again. Been up for several hours (~4.5). Had Starry Night, t-bird, & FF open. CPU usage wasn't that high. Had Process Explorer open, noticed several processes suddenly went RED, then app. windows started quickly closing.
I pulled off the side cover and stuck a finger on the CPU HS. Very warm, but not hot. However, the small black HS very close to it (Northbridge?) Very, very HOT! Even touching the small tips of the HS. Couldn't leave a fingertip on it more than 1/4 sec. It needs a larger HS!
So, I've found the HOT chip. Now I need to figure out a way to cool her down.
That MAY or may not be the problem. Don't get too excited. Northbridge chipsets tend to run very hot, depending on the situation. Only thing I can think of, pick up one of those antec "spot cools" and try that. Not really a whole lot else you can do, as those heatsinks are made application-specific usually.
If it is the northbridge that is the problem, he ought to be able to pick up a 40mm chipset fan for $7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185039
along with a pass thru adapter for $5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200499
They'll mount to pretty much any northbridge heatsink (even if you have to rotate it a bit to get 2 of the 4 holes to line up in a cooling fin gap so you can screw it in).
I tossed one on my northbridge when I built my machine 3 years ago. It didn't necessarily need it, but for $5 (at the time) I figured what the heck, why not since I was going to run a mild overclock.
OVERKILL
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OK, so the computer isn't just "rebooting" but actually performing a soft reboot where Windows actually gracefully restarts?
Did you check the Event Viewer for the logs as to what initiated the reboot? It should be there!
Did you check the Event Viewer for the logs as to what initiated the reboot? It should be there!
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
OK, so the computer isn't just "rebooting" but actually performing a soft reboot where Windows actually gracefully restarts?
Did you check the Event Viewer for the logs as to what initiated the reboot? It should be there!
Yes, Wxp2 suddenly decides it needs to shutdown and does so in an orderly fashion. It doesn't always restart though.
I have checked the event viewer; no joy. I don't understand WHY the OS isn't logging what happened to CAUSE the shutdown. I thought that's what event viewer is for! I'll post the contents if you like, but am unable to take the time now.
Of course, I'm assuming XP has the smarts to do this. Maybe. Maybe not.
OK, so the computer isn't just "rebooting" but actually performing a soft reboot where Windows actually gracefully restarts?
Did you check the Event Viewer for the logs as to what initiated the reboot? It should be there!
Yes, Wxp2 suddenly decides it needs to shutdown and does so in an orderly fashion. It doesn't always restart though.
I have checked the event viewer; no joy. I don't understand WHY the OS isn't logging what happened to CAUSE the shutdown. I thought that's what event viewer is for! I'll post the contents if you like, but am unable to take the time now.
Of course, I'm assuming XP has the smarts to do this. Maybe. Maybe not.
OVERKILL
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Yes, would like to see what is happening under Application and System.
Not sure how to proceed. Do you want a screen shot of the Sys & App event viewer windows? Is there a log file located somewhere I can cut & paste? Dbl-clicking on the event opens up another window. Here's the contents from the only RED X (error) that occurs in the Sys viewer:
Quote:
Event Type: Error
Event Source: Service Control Manager
Event Category: None
Event ID: 7000
Date: 7/25/2011
Time: 10:48:55 AM
User: N/A
Computer: __________
Description:
The mrtRate service failed to start due to the following error:
The system cannot find the file specified.
Investigation reveals this service to be leftover from an old version of Quicken. I've now disabled it in device manager. All other posts in sys viewer are "Information".
Quote:
Event Type: Error
Event Source: Service Control Manager
Event Category: None
Event ID: 7000
Date: 7/25/2011
Time: 10:48:55 AM
User: N/A
Computer: __________
Description:
The mrtRate service failed to start due to the following error:
The system cannot find the file specified.
Investigation reveals this service to be leftover from an old version of Quicken. I've now disabled it in device manager. All other posts in sys viewer are "Information".
OVERKILL
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It will be an information message.
Yes, an orderly shutdown WILL be logged under the system log. It will be an informational message as OVERK1LL notes.
Originally Posted By: PandaBear
I still say try swapping power supply. You were running stress test on CPU and RAM before and they seems not obviously bad, try to borrow a power supply for a while and see if it goes away.
I swap power supply with my dad's computer and the problem transferred to my computer, so obviously I found my problem.
This AM it started acting REALLY flaky. At first, it would boot to the desktop, then stay there no more than 3 min., then suddenly shutdown. Sometimes auto-boot, sometimes not. Then it wouldn't even make it out of POST. Then it just started cycling, never staying lit for more than 3 min. Finally, I just turned off the PS.
Figuring my PS was defective, I picked up a new one, just installed it, and it's doing the same exact thing! It made it to the desktop once, shutdown, then restarted, stayed lit for 5 sec. then shutdown, auto rebooted, stayed lit for 5 sec. shutdown. With that, I turned off the PS.
Bad contact in the front panel start button? Is it bouncing? Loose connector? Something's gone in the ditch w/ regards to the PS control ckt. I've now ruled out the PS. (Fortunately I have a backup XP 'fuser).
Any ideas?
I still say try swapping power supply. You were running stress test on CPU and RAM before and they seems not obviously bad, try to borrow a power supply for a while and see if it goes away.
I swap power supply with my dad's computer and the problem transferred to my computer, so obviously I found my problem.
This AM it started acting REALLY flaky. At first, it would boot to the desktop, then stay there no more than 3 min., then suddenly shutdown. Sometimes auto-boot, sometimes not. Then it wouldn't even make it out of POST. Then it just started cycling, never staying lit for more than 3 min. Finally, I just turned off the PS.
Figuring my PS was defective, I picked up a new one, just installed it, and it's doing the same exact thing! It made it to the desktop once, shutdown, then restarted, stayed lit for 5 sec. then shutdown, auto rebooted, stayed lit for 5 sec. shutdown. With that, I turned off the PS.
Bad contact in the front panel start button? Is it bouncing? Loose connector? Something's gone in the ditch w/ regards to the PS control ckt. I've now ruled out the PS. (Fortunately I have a backup XP 'fuser).
Any ideas?
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
If you think it is the power button, disconnect it from the motherboard and turn it on with a screwdriver.
This may have been asked earlier, but does the board have any bulging or leaking caps on it?
This may have been asked earlier, but does the board have any bulging or leaking caps on it?
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
If you think it is the power button, disconnect it from the motherboard and turn it on with a screwdriver.
This may have been asked earlier, but does the board have any bulging or leaking caps on it?
I pulled off the case, rechecked my power MB connectors, found the 4-pin that hadn't been fully seated to 'click' into place. Fixed that. Rebooted. Made it to the desktop. Started typing in a response here....bang, shutdown again.
I'm going to take your suggestion re: power button.
Bad caps were the first thing I checked for. No (visual) joy.
If you think it is the power button, disconnect it from the motherboard and turn it on with a screwdriver.
This may have been asked earlier, but does the board have any bulging or leaking caps on it?
I pulled off the case, rechecked my power MB connectors, found the 4-pin that hadn't been fully seated to 'click' into place. Fixed that. Rebooted. Made it to the desktop. Started typing in a response here....bang, shutdown again.
I'm going to take your suggestion re: power button.
Bad caps were the first thing I checked for. No (visual) joy.
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
If you think it is the power button, disconnect it from the motherboard and turn it on with a screwdriver
OK, can't figure out how to do this. Dell doc's don't mention a power on button on the MB. What should I short with the screwdriver? When I have more time, I can pull out the push-switch on the front panel board and replace it.
If you think it is the power button, disconnect it from the motherboard and turn it on with a screwdriver
OK, can't figure out how to do this. Dell doc's don't mention a power on button on the MB. What should I short with the screwdriver? When I have more time, I can pull out the push-switch on the front panel board and replace it.
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Follow the wires from the power button to where they go on the motherboard. It will be a plug (and likely contain your reset, HDD LED, power LED....etc). Pull it. Make mental note of which pins the power lead connected to. Short them with a screwdriver. It will power on. See if the issue happens still.
The Dell uses a 2x20 pin connector between the front panel board (USB2, status LED's, power, audio In & out)& the MB. This ribbon cable ties in with the ribbon from the optical drives and goes to the MB. It'll take awhile to sort out.
Thanks for the reply.
Thanks for the reply.
OVERKILL
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Originally Posted By: sleddriver
The Dell uses a 2x20 pin connector between the front panel board (USB2, status LED's, power, audio In & out)& the MB. This ribbon cable ties in with the ribbon from the optical drives and goes to the MB. It'll take awhile to sort out.
Thanks for the reply.
Yep, I've had a few of 'em apart
You can also just pull the whole connector and go along it with a screwdriver until it fires up.
The Dell uses a 2x20 pin connector between the front panel board (USB2, status LED's, power, audio In & out)& the MB. This ribbon cable ties in with the ribbon from the optical drives and goes to the MB. It'll take awhile to sort out.
Thanks for the reply.
Yep, I've had a few of 'em apart
You can also just pull the whole connector and go along it with a screwdriver until it fires up.
I took a more direct approach: I started the machine with the front-panel board plugged in, then unplugged it as soon as it lit. It's been on now for nearly 30 min. without a twitch! I think it's been the source of all my problems! Now I need to find a new one.
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