cpu overheating workaround

  • Thread starter Thread starter Matti Lamprhey
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Matti Lamprhey

I need to burn some DVDs on my WinXP PC, but before the transcoding is
completed my cpu is overheating and the system dies. I'm using
NeroVision Express software, which doesn't allow me to control the
effect on the cpu apparently.

Is there some tool which will permit me to pause the NeroVision process
before the cpu gets too hot? Or to s-l-o-w it down a bit?

What other alternatives do I have in the short term while I investigate
mega cooling hardware?

Matti
 
I need to burn some DVDs on my WinXP PC, but before the transcoding is
completed my cpu is overheating and the system dies. I'm using
NeroVision Express software, which doesn't allow me to control the
effect on the cpu apparently.

Is there some tool which will permit me to pause the NeroVision process
before the cpu gets too hot? Or to s-l-o-w it down a bit?
Click to expand...

Try setting the priority on Neovision to low? You can also consider
enabling thermal throttling in BIOS.

Are you doing any overclocking? What kind of configuration are you
using exactly?
 
I need to burn some DVDs on my WinXP PC, but before the transcoding is
completed my cpu is overheating and the system dies. I'm using
NeroVision Express software, which doesn't allow me to control the
effect on the cpu apparently.
Click to expand...

How do you know the system is dying because the CPU is too hot? Software
is not supposed to adapt its demands on the system to accomodate a stressed
CPU.
Is there some tool which will permit me to pause the NeroVision process
before the cpu gets too hot? Or to s-l-o-w it down a bit?
Click to expand...

If that amount of CPU power is required to do the job, it's possible that
slowing it down will cause the job to fail.
 
George Macdonald said:
How do you know the system is dying because the CPU is too hot?
Software is not supposed to adapt its demands on the system to
accomodate a stressed CPU.
Click to expand...

Lengthy cpu-intensive tasks such as batch mp3 compressions always raise
the cpu temperature, which I monitor using Asus's PC Probe utility;
when this reaches a critical value my whole system freezes or reboots.
I replaced the cpu fan recently but it hasn't helped.
If that amount of CPU power is required to do the job, it's possible
that slowing it down will cause the job to fail.
Click to expand...

?? Why should that be the case? There is no I/O with the DVD writer
happening at this stage of the proceedings. It's just doing two hours'
worth of number-crunching before it's ready to burn the result.

Matti
 
The little lost angel said:
Try setting the priority on Neovision to low?
Click to expand...

I've experimented with all NeroVision's priority settings, including
Very Low, but to no avail -- it still gets nearly 100% of the cpu.
Perhaps I need to run other non-cp-intensive 'dummy' processes
simultaneously . . .
You can also consider enabling thermal throttling in BIOS.

Are you doing any overclocking? What kind of configuration are you
using exactly?
Click to expand...

I haven't spotted any BIOS options for heat control, and I'm not
overclocking. My motherboard is the A7V333 (Socket A, VIA KT333
chipset). Should I be considering underclocking?

Matti
 
I haven't spotted any BIOS options for heat control, and I'm not
overclocking. My motherboard is the A7V333 (Socket A, VIA KT333
chipset). Should I be considering underclocking?
Click to expand...

Socket A unfortunately doesn't have that. While you are looking at a
better heatsink, try comparing the cost of a second hand Sempron with
a board or something. It might not cost that much more and will likely
cut the time you spend on the processing.

You could try underclocking and undervolting but it just doesn't sound
quite right for your system to be overheating if you're running stock.
Did you mount the heatsink correctly, try remounting it just in case.
What are your temperatures like?
 
Matti Lamprhey said:
Lengthy cpu-intensive tasks such as batch mp3 compressions always raise
the cpu temperature, which I monitor using Asus's PC Probe utility;
when this reaches a critical value my whole system freezes or reboots.
I replaced the cpu fan recently but it hasn't helped.
Click to expand...


Turn it off, open the computer, and check out the heatsink/fan.
If it's dusty, get some compressed air and blow the damned
thing off the heatsink.
 
I haven't spotted any BIOS options for heat control, and I'm not
overclocking. My motherboard is the A7V333 (Socket A, VIA KT333
chipset). Should I be considering underclocking?
Click to expand...

Honestly the only thing you should consider is to spend the $10-$15 to
get a proper heatsink for this system. You don't need any sort of
super-gigantic heatsink, damn near any heatsink being sold now will do
the trick. A quick look through www.newegg.com shows that heatsinks
good for all AthlonXP processors start at $7.49, and there's probably
a half-dozen of them that cost less than $15.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...7708562&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=62&Order=price

Any one of these heatsinks, if properly installed with thermal
compound properly applied as per the installation instructions, will
keep your processor plenty cool.
 
Lengthy cpu-intensive tasks such as batch mp3 compressions always raise
the cpu temperature, which I monitor using Asus's PC Probe utility;
when this reaches a critical value my whole system freezes or reboots.
I replaced the cpu fan recently but it hasn't helped.
Click to expand...

Why don't you tell us which CPU and what critical temperature you're
working with? In that generation of CPUs/mbrds there were problems with
reporting of CPU temps... mainly BIOS related, so: is the CPU really
getting that hot and do you have the BIOS & PC Probe updated to the latest
level for that mbrd.

I had a MSI K7 system which was reporting CPU temps in mid/high-60s under
load which dropped to mid/high 50s with a BIOS update. After that I had
reduced confidence in the temp reported and decided that the critical
temperature I used would be well above anything I was likely to see in
practice... IOW raise the "critical" temperature or turn off the
monitoring, since it's of dubious value anyway.

You should be sure, of course, before doing the above, to make sure that
your heatsink is properly mounted and of sufficient heat-draw capacity and
that your case ventilation is correct. Those were not the easiest
heatsinks to install - is the heatsink getting noticably warmer as the CPU
temp rises? As far as brand/type, I found the Speeze (now Masscool) or
Spire (different brand names of the same devices) Falconrock or WhisperRock
were good reliable, reasonably priced and quiet.
?? Why should that be the case? There is no I/O with the DVD writer
happening at this stage of the proceedings. It's just doing two hours'
worth of number-crunching before it's ready to burn the result.
Click to expand...

Ah OK, it's not actually the burning but the encoding process which is the
problem.
 
Matti ,
The BIOS would be the only way to slow
the CPU & to under volt it. Try checking the
heat spreader for old caked up thermal compound.
You may need to clean up the heatsink too. Since
this is not a recent system ,I guess this problem
just cropped up in the past few days. Think about
anything you changed recently ,maby flashing a
bios update ,or relocating the PC to a new room.
It would be rare ,but you can check the voltage
on the core regulator ,and see if it has drifted up.
On a bad day anything can fail ,check this against
the CPU spec ,and the BIOS setting.
Hope you can fix this ,
Mark Whitlock.
 
The little lost angel said:
Socket A unfortunately doesn't have that. While you are looking at a
better heatsink, try comparing the cost of a second hand Sempron with
a board or something. It might not cost that much more and will likely
cut the time you spend on the processing.

You could try underclocking and undervolting but it just doesn't sound
quite right for your system to be overheating if you're running stock.
Did you mount the heatsink correctly, try remounting it just in case.
What are your temperatures like?
Click to expand...

The heatsink was mounted by a service engineer; I think he'd done
plenty of these in the past and I watched him apply new thermal
compound.

Normally the CP temperature hovers around 53degC as measured by the Asus
PC Probe utility, but after about 45 minutes of intensive processing it
reaches 63degC and either freezes or reboots.

I've ordered a new heatsink+fan and will fit it myself this time!
Thanks for your help,

Matti
 
Tony Hill said:
Honestly the only thing you should consider is to spend the $10-$15 to
get a proper heatsink for this system. You don't need any sort of
super-gigantic heatsink, damn near any heatsink being sold now will do
the trick. A quick look through www.newegg.com shows that heatsinks
good for all AthlonXP processors start at $7.49, and there's probably
a half-dozen of them that cost less than $15.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...7708562&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=62&Order=price

Any one of these heatsinks, if properly installed with thermal
compound properly applied as per the installation instructions, will
keep your processor plenty cool.
Click to expand...

Thanks -- the choice here in the UK seems very limited but I've ordered
a StarTech sink+fan and will update this thread with the results . . .

Matti
 
Is the fan speed monitored?
Click to expand...

Yes - the PC Probe utility lets me monitor fan speed as well as CP temp.
The CP fan speed hovers around 4500 rpm and never changes significantly
despite temperature hikes.

Matti
 
Mark Whitlock said:
Matti ,
The BIOS would be the only way to slow
the CPU & to under volt it. Try checking the
heat spreader for old caked up thermal compound.
You may need to clean up the heatsink too. Since
this is not a recent system ,I guess this problem
just cropped up in the past few days. Think about
anything you changed recently ,maby flashing a
bios update ,or relocating the PC to a new room.
It would be rare ,but you can check the voltage
on the core regulator ,and see if it has drifted up.
On a bad day anything can fail ,check this against
the CPU spec ,and the BIOS setting.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Mark. In fact it's a problem I've had for at least a year, and
I've had the repair chap from Evesham in to replace the heatsink+fan --
that was about six months ago, and it made no difference.

I'm going to try fitting a new sink+fan myself and see if that helps...

Matti
 
George Macdonald said:
Why don't you tell us which CPU and what critical temperature you're
working with? In that generation of CPUs/mbrds there were problems
with reporting of CPU temps... mainly BIOS related, so: is the CPU
really getting that hot and do you have the BIOS & PC Probe updated to
the latest level for that mbrd.
Click to expand...

It's an Athlon XP 2100+, and the critical temperature as measured by
Asus PC Probe seems to be 63degC, producing freeze or reboot. Under a
normal load the temp hovers around 53degC.

Today I've flashed the latest BIOS (PC Probe was up to date) but it has
made no difference.
I had a MSI K7 system which was reporting CPU temps in mid/high-60s
under load which dropped to mid/high 50s with a BIOS update. After
that I had reduced confidence in the temp reported and decided that
the critical temperature I used would be well above anything I was
likely to see in practice... IOW raise the "critical" temperature or turn
off the monitoring, since it's of dubious value anyway.

You should be sure, of course, before doing the above, to make sure
that your heatsink is properly mounted and of sufficient heat-draw
capacity and that your case ventilation is correct. Those were not
the easiest heatsinks to install - is the heatsink getting noticably
warmer as the CPU temp rises? As far as brand/type, I found the
Speeze (now Masscool) or Spire (different brand names of the same
devices) Falconrock or WhisperRock were good reliable, reasonably
priced and quiet.
Click to expand...

Thanks - I've ordered a StarTech sink/fan (limited choice here in the
UK) and will let you know if it's an improvement!

Matti
 
I've experimented with all NeroVision's priority settings, including
Very Low, but to no avail -- it still gets nearly 100% of the cpu.
Perhaps I need to run other non-cp-intensive 'dummy' processes
simultaneously . . .


I haven't spotted any BIOS options for heat control, and I'm not
overclocking. My motherboard is the A7V333 (Socket A, VIA KT333
chipset). Should I be considering underclocking?

Matti
Click to expand...

Try to run with the case cover removed. If it works this way, chances
are you need an extra case fan. While you are at that, check if
something (cables are the first suspect) obstructs the air flow. Also
a possibility, though remote, is that some other components like
chipset, video, or RAM get into the pockets of stagnant hot air and
overheat. I used to have a system that was sensitive to ambient
temperature - worked OK below ~75F, bluescreened under heavy sustained
load above 75, unless the case cover was removed - but it was quite
heavily overclocked.

NNN
 
The heatsink was mounted by a service engineer; I think he'd done
plenty of these in the past and I watched him apply new thermal
compound.

Normally the CP temperature hovers around 53degC as measured by the Asus
PC Probe utility, but after about 45 minutes of intensive processing it
reaches 63degC and either freezes or reboots.

I've ordered a new heatsink+fan and will fit it myself this time!
Thanks for your help,
Click to expand...

But careful - there were plenty horror stories of chips cracked and
motherboards scratched while this operation was performed on K7-series
chips. If you are not perfectly confortable doing it, get somebody
experienced to do it for you.

NNN
 
It's an Athlon XP 2100+, and the critical temperature as measured by
Asus PC Probe seems to be 63degC, producing freeze or reboot. Under a
normal load the temp hovers around 53degC.
Click to expand...

Ah, I got the impression it was the PC Probe which was giving you an alarm.
I'd suspect the CPU cooler you have is either not up to the job or is not
mounted quite right... or that your case is not well enough ventilated.
Today I've flashed the latest BIOS (PC Probe was up to date) but it has
made no difference.


Thanks - I've ordered a StarTech sink/fan (limited choice here in the
UK) and will let you know if it's an improvement!
Click to expand...

With the problems you're having I think I'd look for a sink/fan which is
going to present as a "super" cooler solution... maybe one of the well
known ones which overclockers like, e.g.
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?TT-A1745 though I haven't
used that particular one.
 
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