My computer is messed up (no, I didn't hit it this time.)

It overheats. I mean it gets so hot that it just shuts off. It is to the point where the only thing that works to keep it on is to keep an icepack underneath it right where the processor is and if I take the ice pack off for to long it dies. It sucks because I only have two icepacks and the thing gets so hot that it seems to melt one every hour. This sucks.

Anyway I don't know what is wrong and I am thinking virus. I noticed that when I go into task manager it is saying that my physical memory is all used up saying that only about 12MB is available. This is when I am running no apps at all. I even threw in some RAM out of my old busted laptop just to make sure the memory wasn't bad and it cached that too. I am thinking a virus running as a service or some crap is on my computer and it is taking up all of my memory causing the CPU to work overtime but then again, I have only taken classes so far on how computers work, not really how to fix them so I am pretty clueless here. The bottom line is that it runs like absolute shit right now and I need a fix.

Any ideas?

A few specs:

Vista

yes the fan works.

Regardless of how much RAM is being used should not effect your CPU. These chips are made to run consistently, even continuously. A virus could cause your CPU to work harder, but this would not cause overheating issues. Overheating is caused by either poor air circulation, overclocking of the CPU, or a flaw in the CPU. Check your bios setting and see if the CPU is being triple or quadrouple clocked. Most new CPU's don't have this overclocking by default, but someone may have purposely done this to help with performance, especially hard core video game players. Another thing you may try is taking the case off and run the computer that way. It may help with the overheating or try adding a box fan. These are pretty cheap and most cases have a place for them.

There are many other things that can cause overheating, such as your power supply outputting more then the required voltage to your components. I would have someone look at it if you can't diagnose the problem.

Good luck.

Scrupboy wrote:Regardless of how much RAM is being used should not effect your CPU. These chips are made to run consistently, even continuously. A virus could cause your CPU to work harder, but this would not cause overheating issues. Overheating is caused by either poor air circulation, overclocking of the CPU, or a flaw in the CPU. Check your bios setting and see if the CPU is being triple or quadrouple clocked. Most new CPU's don't have this overclocking by default, but someone may have purposely done this to help with performance, especially hard core video game players. Another thing you may try is taking the case off and run the computer that way. It may help with the overheating or try adding a box fan. These are pretty cheap and most cases have a place for them.

There are many other things that can cause overheating, such as your power supply outputting more then the required voltage to your components. I would have someone look at it if you can't diagnose the problem.

Good luck.

I know what you are saying about overclocking but nobody has gone near the BIOS settings on this computer and I bought it new from Best Buy. I think I am going to bring it in.

If it's a pretty new computer, then yes, you should bring it back in. I'm sure it's covered under warranty and seems to be a hardware issue, IMO.

...also, don't let those Geek Squad guys dick you around. I personally find them to mostly lack in knowledge.

I bought it after I smashed the last one so it has been a while. I generally prefer small locally owned PC shops. The guys usually know what they are doing from my experience.

This sucks so bad. The computer is melting the ice packs faster than I can freeze them and I am at a final table.... If this thing crashes, it might go through a window or something so I might not be worrying about the overheating issue anymore...

How's the system? By the way, I'm under the impression that this is a desktop, is that correct?

Run task manager and see what's pegging the processor--i.e., click on the "Processes" tab and then click on CPU twice to sort descending. Something is hogging processor and/or memory and making your computer run overtime.

In addition, you may have a lot of dust built up inside the laptop. For best results, you may have to disassemble the laptop a little bit and use some canned air.

I worked computer repairs at Best Buy (pre-Geek Squad) back in the day when I was between jobs. This one lady brought in her desktop and said it kept shutting down. She also noted that this computer was in their laundry room. We opened the case, and was literally FILLED with lint--like if you took cotton balls and packed it into every open space inside the computer.

It is a laptop.

I have just finished a restore and so far it is not as hot. Either that or it just hasn't had time to warm up yet. I am going to play some $2/4 limit and see if it decides to crash again. If so it is going to Gateway as the warranty is still good. I almost want it to come to that as I am the more I mess with things the more I think the motherboard or some hardware on this thing is just flat out a lemon. I wouldn't mind a new Laptop.

Update. It is running okay after the restore but it is still running hotter than I would like. It is like the fan clicks on the second the computer is fired up and it runs hot from the begining, even with straight up factory apps and settings. I remember it always ran a little hot which I never liked but this can't be right. I mean, it isn't dying now, but I bet if I put a game or something on it it would pretty quickly.

The strangeness:



Remember this is a new restore. The only program even installed since the new restore is p-stars so everything else is factory. It says me physical memory is already used up and this is a new out of the box setup. Whats up?

This is a new memory management feature that was added to the MS Vista operating system. Applications are preloaded into memory when available. The system uses intelligence to anticipate what programs you will run once you've booted your PC. When you run one of these applications, the program will appear to run seamlessly due to being preloaded into memory. I don't recall the name of this memory management feature in Vista, but I believe there are ways to change these settings.

The thing is, memory is so cheap these days and most systems are coming preloaded with at least 1 GB or more of RAM. The memory management tool makes a lot of sense. Are you going to need all this memory all the time? No, it will just sit there for when you run a memory intensive application or process. If all your applications can be preloaded into your system instead of just as needed, then your much better off. It's very similar to video games installing onto 1 GB of hard disk space. Since most computers have a ton of hard disk space, what's a few GB's to cache data on instead of reading from the CD-ROM. This would not have been the case 10 years ago when 8 - 10 GB drives were common.

I believe the name of the memory management program in Vista is called Superfetch or something fetch. I wouldn't worry about it though.

...by the way, raise that Q7 on the button if everyone folds or limps.

Makes sense, I just don't know why they would make a computer that is so noisy and runs so hot out of the box. I mean, Emily has a Macbook Pro that runs faster and better all around and I don't think I have ever heard the fan even come on let alone feel it get warm. Mine is hot as soon as it gets a chance to heat up and the fan is on immedietly at start up. Granted her computer cost about $1200 more than mine but still, why is my computer acting like it is going to have a heart attack when all I am running is a web browser and a poker app? What a POS.

Scrupboy wrote:
...by the way, raise that Q7 on the button if everyone folds or limps.

Thanks for the tip but the game is actually Omaha mid-deal. The hand only got worse and I folded to a limper.

Have you checked for lint/dust build-up inside the laptop? Sounds like there could be airflow issues.

pseudoswede wrote:Have you checked for lint/dust build-up inside the laptop? Sounds like there could be airflow issues.

Yeah, it's not bad at all, it's actually pretty clean in there. I am going to send it in when I get around to it. It has only overheated and shut off once or twice since the restore. That is still too much. I have been talking with tech support and they are saying it sounds like hardware. It is still under warranty so I am pretty sure I am jsut going to end up sending it in.lk