130 replies to this topic

[Abydos]

Hi Ron

Have you tried other video sites? This one for example, have a good deal of Jack in the box
videos. Maybe easier streaming there?

http://my.break.com/...;SEARCH1=Search

Regards

[Doug]

I don't "know" that machine, so can only give general comments. I would "hope" for temperatures in the 25-35*C range 54*C for the CPU is getting up there, but not in any sort of recognized "danger zone" at least for several more degrees. Have you cleaned out the dust-bunnies? All fans running vigorously? no obstructions at the front, sides or back of Tower preventing air circulation? I'd have to read back, but Tallin is generally pretty thorough about making that recommendations. so, just checking. Doug

[Ron.M]

1st, tallin: Apology accepted... ..Nobody's perfect..& yes I get your drift...

2nd , Abydos: The "Break.Com" website videos loaded up & played..Albeit with some pixelation...Not a problem...However , they weren't the videos was looking for...Again not a problem...The streaming there seems to be OK...At least , I can see the videos...Thank you...

3rd, Doug:...The dust bunnies are cleared out , the fan blades are clean & the fan appears to be running vigorously....My computer lays down flat & there are NO obstructions to ANY openings...
As I type this my MB = 42* C or 108* F & my CPU=62*C or 144* F.....I'm begining to get concerned...Comp has only been on for about 4 hrs...
Please advise... Thank you.. .

Best Regards to ALL....

[tallin]

Ron.M,

My computer lays down flat & there are NO obstructions to ANY openings...

I have not read back, but if this computer is a PC, the tower should not be laying down flat as you say in the quote. It should also not be inserted into a enclosed desk compartment with a back on it. All towers should be in an open environment with air circulating well around them.

kind regards,

[Doug]

this may not be the "exact" Optiplex GX1 model that Ron M. has but there are a few configurations that are similar. They were designed to lay horizontal and often had The CRT Monitor resting on top for a compact presentation. I have a more recently manufactured HP rig that is also designed as "horizontal" with Flat Panel monitor on top. It runs quite cool, actually. Ron, I am also beginning to not like those temps you have after 4 hours of running. Doug

[tallin]

Thanks for the pic, learning each day as my signature says. Sorry Ron.M if I misguided you on how your tower should be positioned. kind regards,

[Ron.M]

1st tallin:..You did NOT misguide me...I wasn't going to "stand up" my comp anyway for all the tea in China..!!.... Apology accepted... ....My computer is not blocked on ANY side...Best Regards..

Doug: ....That looks EXACTLY like my model...AMAZING !!..I don't know where you got that pix , but that's it...The only thing I have on top is a light weight LexMark printer...

Ron, I am also beginning to not like those temps you have after 4 hours of running..

OK , I'm with you .. What do I do about it ??

Later...Best Regards...

[tallin]

Ron.M,

OK , I'm with you .. What do I do about it ??

Keep saving the pennies would be what I would do......sorry

kind regards,

[Doug]

Ron,

I don't know how much energy and expense you wish to invest.

Some things come to mind for consideration:

Replace the existing fans with same fan, but new.
Remove, clean CPU Heatsink assemply, then apply fresh Arctic Silver.
Remove "anything" from on top of the case. (theory is that "anything" can be providing "insulation" thereby inhibiting heat dissipation.)
Or "raise" the case so that it has air circulation below, instead of resting directly on a surface.
I have used...
small stripped boards (as if to provide "leg strips")
salvaged plastic fan screens (from old defunct "box fans", window fans etc.)
Take the plastic fan screen off the defunct fan, then use it like a cookie sheet rack under the case to raise it and provide circulation.
I do the plastic fan screen trick routinely to raise XBox or PS3 consoles so as to improve circulation.
I do the same when using a laptop for extended periods at my desk.
There are even "after market" ventilation pads made specifically for Laptops (they usually even have powered fans, but can be expensive)
http://www.tigerdire...p;searchbtn.y=0
I almost always have a bulk roll of rubberized matting handy.

I cut sections for placement under keyboards that tend to slip around, or underneath a laptop on a slick hard desk surface.
I get a 6 ft. roll for $1 at a local "Dollar Store".
The Rubber matting does provide some "breathing space", but I would try to "elevate" more with the plastic fan screen material if you have an old defunct room/window fan available to tear apart.


Add an additional case fan. (note: there may not be an available fan power connector and there may not be an available location for an additional fan.)
One thing I did in an old Dell that I still run....
It does not have a location (space) for a new fan.
So I purchased some "sealing putty" and placed a strip on the bottom of the case.
I was then able to mount a 80m fan casing onto the sealing putty and direct the airflow toward the CPU and toward the back.

****One thing "not" to do.*****
Don't mess with the PSU or PSU fan inside of the PSU.
PSU's hold significant electrical charge (enough to hurt or kill you) even long after the power cord has been disconnected.

If you want to do anything at all to improve the PSU fan circulation, it would be to completely replace the PSU as a total unit.

[Ron.M]

tallin:

Ron.M,

OK , I'm with you .. What do I do about it ??

Keep saving the pennies would be what I would do......sorry

kind regards,

tallin: You're a big help!!!.... ......Best regards..

FYI: I'm retired , unemployed & NOT making ends meet with those wonderful SocSec checks...
So it'll be awhile before I can pick up enough alumunim soda cans to buy another comp... ..

Doug:..1st, Let me THANK you for ALL that GREAT info...

I need to clarify something about the fan...This fan is in the PSU....When I first boot up the fan is NOT running...As time progresses the fan kicks in....Over a period of hours , I noticed that the fan speed changes...Goes from a high speed to a lower speed , back & forth , no rhyme or reason...Problem ???
The PSU fan is the ONLY fan in there...& I do NOT have an available location for an additional fan..So I'm stuck with only the PSU fan...

FYI:..I'm a retired TV tech...The larger TV's have about 30KV (thats 30,000 volts ) in them , so going into the PSU does not scare me a bit...Changing the PSU fan should not be a problem for me...

I have 2 older HP Pavillion comp's that do not work well.....Would the fans work in my Dell??..Are fans pretty much interchangeable ??...

I will follow the rest of your advice as best as possible...Thanks...

Edited by Ron.M, 25 February 2009 - 06:05 PM.

[tallin]

Ron.M,

tallin: You're a big help!!!.... ......Best regards..

FYI: I'm retired , unemployed & NOT making ends meet with those wonderful SocSec checks...
So it'll be awhile before I can pick up enough alumunim soda cans to buy another comp... ..

I am a volunteer here, if I offended you, I apologize. One of the first things I was taught in business is not to throw good money after bad. I perhaps should have added that to my last post.

I sincerely do hope you find the answer to your on going problems with other volunteers on this forum.

kind regards,

Edit: To correct spelling mistake.

Edited by tallin, 25 February 2009 - 08:33 PM.

[Ron.M]

tallin;...
Most , if not ALL of those , including you ,who have helped me here are volunteers...It goes without saying how grateful I am for that help... .There is NO WAY in hell that you OR the other tech's came ANYWHERE NEAR offending me...That said , NO apology needed...

The same comes from this side of the street...If I offended ANYONE , I sincerely apologize...

One of the first things I was taught in business is not to through good money after bad.

Having had my own bussiness for over 45 yrs , I couldn't agree with you more...100% correct...
tallin:...I like to think of you & the others as friends..."No worry , Be happy"..

Later, kind sir....

[Abydos]

Hi Ron

FYI: I'm retired , unemployed & NOT making ends meet with those wonderful SocSec checks...
So it'll be awhile before I can pick up enough alumunim soda cans to buy another comp...

I am not familiar with the pricings where you live. But I can tell you how I got one of my computers in my youth.
I kept an eye on the local PC-shop where I lived, more specifically the display models in their exhibition. I took
note of which PC's where used as models where people could interact and try the models in the store. The
moment I noticed on my daily walk-by, that a model have been removed from its stand, I would ask the store
what they would sell it for. It took two tries, before I got luck, and purchased a model I could afford
Point being, that those models are always cheaper than a "brand-new". And the stores usually won't sell it
if something is broken or the like, as it is them who have to abide by the warranty. Yea, it had a scratch or two,
but I got a state-of-the-art PC for 1/3 of the price, and then went and bought a cheap monitor.

Regards

[Doug]

Ron, I had a new Apple IIe in 1983. Since then I've not had a new one and have only run machines that I've put together from dumpster throw-aways and garage sales. My current machine Dell 8200 circa 2001 came to me for $5 US plus an hour of work setting up the old owner's new machine. The only other decent machine I've had in the past 10 years was given to me by my wonderful sister who knew that I needed to learn about Vista and could not do so with my current machinery. She's pretty wonderful that way. I think I understand the nature of fixed income since I've had the experience over these past several years. We'll see what we can do to keep you running until other options become available. Yes, a fan is pretty much a fan, though that optiplex may have an unusual size for the PSU fan. new fan approximately 3-7 dollars US. but you canexperiment with the ones you can salvage from your other throw-away units. Just because there is not a prepared mounting for an additional fan, does not mean that a fan could not still be installed where the plastic case shows ventilation to the outside. Sometimes there is an extra such fan power source on the motherboard, <-- it will be specifically labeled FAN if it exists on the motherboard. If the fan has a connector that is capable of connecting via an extra connector on the wiring harness, that can work too. Let us know how you progress.

[Ron.M]

Doug: Thanks for your informative reply...In reply ==>

If the fans are only $3-7.00 US , I'm better off buying new...I'll do a web search....I could not find a connection for an extra fan on the motherboard.....With the way my comp is made , there's no way I can mount an extra fan anywhere...Too cluttered...There are obstructions....You have a GREAT sister....

We'll see what we can do to keep you running until other options become available.

You have NO idea how much I appreciate your past & present help...THANK you VERY much...

Abydos: Thanks for your reply also....In reply==>

Your suggestion pretty much won't work for me....We don't have many , if at all , local PC shops...I'm a homebody , so I can't keep track of merchant wares....We have the big guns like BestBuy & up til recently Circuit City....The comp (including monitor , keyboard & mouse) I have now was given to me by a former employer when he closed down the bussiness..Thanks for the idea , I may try it out....

Best Regards to you both....

Edited by Ron.M, 26 February 2009 - 03:14 PM.