Major overheating problems

Hi everybody, Im new to these forums and I have a major problem with my computer.

First off, Im running a stock comcrap (compaq) presario series 5310 with a 1.1ghz celeron processor, 256mb, and an onboard graphics card. Yes, I realize is complete crap, but its all I got!

Ive been having problems with the system turning off when I play games for more than 10-15 minutes, even very simple games. (like subspace/continuim) I downloaded Motherboard Monitor today and it helped me trace the problem to overheating.

When Im playing a game the processor temperature starts at around 35c and goes up to 40 - 45c. Before I start the case temperature is around 50c. When it shuts down its at 85c (around 175 f)

even I know this is really really bad. Im worried that something is damaged from the extreme heat. Even with the case open i get this temperature. The rig has really bad cooling, just a fan in the power supply and one on the processor.

The computer used to run games fine... It's probably around 3 years old now. And I really don't have the cash for a new rig or even any parts (im 14 with a VERY expensive hobby, combat robotics).

What can I do to improve the cooling and stop the shutting down? I really cant spend much money on this. What do you think the problem is?

Thanks alot
David

The temperature might not be very accurate. However, you can improve cooling by getting a new heatsink for the cpu to replace the crappy stock one. The thermal pad might be shot, which could be why you're having problems now that you didn't used to. You can get a better cooler for $20-$30, plus some arctic silver thermal paste for $5 from newegg.com or numerous other sites. That should definitely help. If you still have problems, or want more airflow, the cheap way is leave the cover off the case, and blow a fan on it. Be sure to clean off dust that may have accumulated, that can insulate things. A more expensive but more asthetically pleasing solution, particularly if you are mechanically inclined, would be to build in some more fans on your case. Cut some holes and screw them on. If you get the heatsink and do the fan thing and you still have problems, its probably not just overheating, or the heat has already broken something.
HTH

Thanks for the reply!

After school today im going to work on mounting another fan in there. do I really need to get this arctic stuff? i would prefer not to order it (I live in Canada), can I get some of that radioshack stuff?

Also, the thing that confuses me is, the CPU temperature stays within safe levels. but the cas temperature goes crazy. what exactly does that mean? It doesnt sound like the CPU heatsink needs to be replaced or anything... though I dont know much about this stuff.

The temps are almost certainly not accurate, particularly since your cpu would be much hotter if the case were actual at 85C. I recommend the arctic silver if you were to put on a new heatsink, it really works better than the cheap stuff, though obviously the cheap stuff will function. Try the fan blowing into the open case too, and note what the case temperature reads.

hey hey! I fixed it!

Note to self: check for dust.

I took the fan off the CPU and I litterally had to scoop the dust out of the heatsink. I feel really stupid that I did not check that... I just didn't think that so much could have piled up in there.

Anyways, everything runs fine now. The computer is faster, the case temp is now lower than the CPU temp, and maxes out at about 46C (When I play a fairly demanding game).

Thanks ALOT. Now, I think im going to do a few case mods just for fun, maybe a window or something.

David

Dust. Be careful where you blow it. Blow it on the motherboard and you might just blow the motherboard. I blew it once. Doing just that.