Strange overheating - Is the HSF shifting??

[Davbaron]

Hello all. I am about to change my MSI motherboard for a Gigabyte 7DXR+. I think i will get a AMD 1800 XP for it. ( Present cpu is AMD T'Bird 1000) It will all be put in my Coolermaster ali case. So why am i a bit worried?
For some months I have had many lock ups and shut downs. It would not always re boot and all obvious remedies have been tried . The first was an Enermax 350PSU. The remedies involved, inter alia, quite a number of re-locating of CPU and hence moving of HSF ( replacements, even)
It seemed to be overheating so i got the Coolermaster and for 2 months all was OK until a couple of days ago. Now it closes down after an hour or so of running. and then won't re boot. Tried everything and now twice I got it back by taking off the HSF and then taking out the processor.Then (listen to this!) leaving the processor OUT of the mobo I then switch on for about 10-15 secs and then switch off. Replace the processor and relocate the HSF with fresh paste and it boots. !!! Runs exactly as always - no degradation of performance and then after an hour or so it suddenly closes down!! Doesn't hang but closes down. Can't re boot until above procedure is implemented.
This has just started after 2 months of no problems since i changed my case for a Coolermaster. as I say.
The present thinking is this. I have noticed that in taking the HSF on and off, that it has got easier to put back on ( As you know, it can be necessary to use a lot of pressure on the screwdriver to engage the clip, but this has been easier lately)
When the computer tower is upright, the mobo is on its side and therfore the HSF is hanging. I'm wondering if gravity and/or vibration from nearby By Pass traffic is causing the HSF to shift slightly, losing the tight contact and so the mobo senses loss of cooling and shuts down???
I know this sounds like I'm clutching at straws but there could be something in it do you think??
If there is, it is important to me to get a good HSF cooler for the new system, and one which can be really well secured.
May I have your comments and suggestions please?

 

[Boobers]

Before assuming that the problem is the HSF, have you actually checked your temps? What are your temps? If you want suggestions for a good heat sink, get the Thermalright AX7 and a quiet 80mm fan (like a Panaflow, etc). There is none better. It locks to all 6 cleats on the CPU socket and the clip is really stiff. You need a screwdriver and a steady hand to install it.

IMHO, most of the time lockups/shutdowns/restarts are caused by driver conflicts (drivers not installed correctly). Sometimes the only way to fix this type of problem is to reformat the HD and reinstall the operating system, and everything else. Is your OS a fresh install, or an "upgrade" from some earlier OS?

Although, you say that the computer won't restart sometimes. This sounds like a power supply issue. I have seen a loose motherboard power supply connector cause this. If the pins don't make good contact restarts can occur. Try wiggling the connector and see if the computer shuts down, or when it won't boot, wiggle the connector (or simply lightly pull the wires to one side, making the pins contact) and see if it boots.

 

[Davbaron]

Thanks for the reply, Boobers, and i note what you say. I will try the leads wriggling thing if/when it does it again.However, it did this with the original generic PSU that came with teh system and still does it with the Enermax 350 I now have!!
Funny you mentioning the Thermalright AX-7. I have read up about it and I would wnt one. This business with the shutdowns has made me decide to implement an upgrade and i am getting
a Gigabyte 7DXR+ motherboard.
Good make , but Gig are hard to ask questions of- so maybe you ( or anyone who knows, ) can answer - will the AX-7, which is large, fit this board?? If it will I will definitely get a AX-7.
cheers

 

[Boobers]

I don't know if the AX7 will fit the Giga board, but I'd bet that it does. Remember, when you install the new board, do a fresh install of the operating system.
Good luck!