DIYbanter - View Single Post - Dell desktop 330 works 4 a short time and freezes

Clyde

On 27/09/2010 23:39, wrote:
I have a Dell optiplex 330 desktop PC which will boot alright, the
windows desktop with the (i'm using Win XP )icons will show but just
for about 40 seconds and it freeze for about 10 seconds and everything
will go off. just at about the time that it will go off the processor
fan will run at a very high speed. when it goes of like this, the
power light will change from green to amber and there will be some
weak cracking sound (presumably trying to give a beep) from the buzzer
on the mother board. At this stage powering it up again will not work
unless it is unplugged from the mains for about 20 minutes and it will
repeat the above problem.
I disconnected the hard drive just in case its a virus but the
same thing happened and even in setup mode.
please help

Check the cooling arrangements, particularly the processor heatsink/fan
combo. Check the fan is working correctly and the heatsink fins are
clear of dust. Then have a look that the clamping mechanism is holding
the heatsink tight to the top of the processor. While you've got the
heatsink off, clean off any gunk and add new thermal paste.

Finally check all fans are working and there are no obstructed vents.

It might help, it sounds like an overheating issue. Is it overclocked?