Intel P4 overheating ?

[Illusionist]

My friend is using an intel pentium 4 2.8 Ghz (Presscott), what is the normal temperature range for procesor on stock cooling ?

His is running between 60c-64c at idle.

Before the heatsink/fan change his cpu was running at 120c and higher, but he continued to use the computer.

Since he replaced the stock heatsink/fan, computer worked fine for 2 weeks, now it's freezing up, rebooting, screen goes blank, etc..... I told him he may have damaged the processor.

He said 60c-64c is normal ranges for the P4,.

Trying to figure out why his computer hasn't been functioning correctly the past week.
Thanks

[unclebud]

Is the system crashing when pushed hard? If not don't worry about it.

[Illusionist]

Thanks for reply. The system restarts or goes blank, before logging into windows, after a few restart, he will be able to get on windows, he opens a web browser, system freezes, need to restart a few more times, to get into windows. No bsod,. Just blank screen, freezes up, and alot of restarts and sometimes the computer will not work at all for a few day's, just blank screen, then a few day's later, able to get on windows, then a lot of restarts.

This problem began after the cpu heatsink/fan replace, reason I'm thinkin the cpu may be damaged.

[FulciLives]

I have a Prescott (3.2E Ghz) and they are known to over-heat. In the summer time I have issues where it will sometimes re-boot if I don't chill the room. Winter time? I don't need additional heating in the computer room.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[minidv2dvd]

i'd check to see that the hsf is still properly attached to the cpu. if it wiggles at all when moved it's not seated firmly enough. also how much and what type thermal paste/grease was used? too much/too little/low quality could cause problems.

shutdowns like you describe can be caused by lots of different things: ram, psu, cpu or a lot of motherboards in that time frame suffer from leaking capacitors.

[TimA-C]

I'm more of an AMD man, but I'd be concerned if I had a CPU running at 60C at idle. Does it run any better with the case off and a standard deskfan blowing into the case? If so, then it probably is cooling and airflow inside the case that's causing the problem. But, as minidv2dvd said, there are a lot of possible causes.

[redwudz]

60C is not unusual for a Prescott.

Just from your description, it sounds like something other than an overheating CPU. Most all newer CPUs will shut down if the temperature goes high enough and this usually protects them from damage. In my PCs, the shutdown is the same as using the power switch. The computer is completely off. It's possible the CPU is damaged, but I would look elsewhere for the problem.

If you suspect overheating, pull off the side cover and direct a desk top fan in there. If the problem decreases, then it's likely related to heat.

If he changed the heatsink with the MB in the case, the first thing I would check is all the internal connections and cables. It's very easy to knock one of them loose. Do the same with the PCI cards and RAM. Make sure they are all properly seated in their sockets.

If no help there, unplug all drives except the boot and all cards except the video card and try again. Next pull one of the RAM modules at a time and try each one separately. If you have another power supply available, substitute that. You can also substitute RAM if you have some known good RAM available. Finally, if all else fails, unplug the boot drive and see if the computer will run in BIOS. Substitute the video card also, unless it's on-board.

If none of this helps, you have likely narrowed it down to the motherboard or the CPU. Check the MB around the CPU for bulged tops on the capacitors. Also check for any visible damage to the MB around the CPU socket.

[Illusionist]

Thanks for replies everyone. He is bringing his computer to me tomorrow for diagnoses. So I will know exactly what is going on.

Thanks for in depth check list for diagnoses Redwudz.

I'll update what I discover.

[TBoneit]

Check the hard drive for problems.
Run a memory test.
if they both pass then try safe mode. If no luck with safe mode pull the drive and run a Antivirus Scan and a Antispyware scan on it.

[Bodyslide]

Open the case up and have a small fan blowing into it. Should help keep it cool while you are working on it...Good Luck