Overvoltage

[didikai]

My computer is about a year old. Now when I try to make it do some work, like convering a file to divx my computer shuts down after a while. When I get it started again I get the message overvoltage or overclocking failure. Then it says I have new mass media storage to be installed
Any help please

[gadgetguy]

Probably overheating. Clean your fans and make sure they're all operating and also clean out the heatsink fins on the CPU and make sure it's making good contact.

[redwudz]

That's a fairly generic message. It usually just means there was a timing error caused by a hardware problem. You should be able to check your voltages in BIOS. Depending on the computer, you click the proper key when the system first starts to boot. It may tell you which one on the first boot screen. Commonly it's the 'Delete' key. Then in BIOS, look for a 'Hardware Monitor' or 'PC Health' or similar page. You can also check if the PC is overclocked on one of the other pages.

If you haven't overclocked your system and your voltages are within specifications, that error can also relate to a RAM module failing. If you have more than one module, you can pull each one in turn or substitute a known good module. You can also run a software memory testing program like Memtest 86: http://www.memtest86.com/

While you have the case open, I would also re-seat all the cable connectors and cards to eliminate the possibility of a loose connection causing a problem.

I would also check to see if your CPU cooler is dust free. A overheated CPU can cause shutdowns, though not usually with that warning. But probably a good idea to do some 'housekeeping' while you have the opportunity.

[didikai]

Probably overheating. Clean your fans and make sure they're all operating and also clean out the heatsink fins on the CPU and make sure it's making good contact.

Everything is clean inside, and the side has been off for a while, so there's more ventilation there.
It only shuts down when it is really working hard.
I've been trying to convert a 3 hour DVD to divx with AG. It will convert for about an hour or so, then shut off.
I've googled but all I can find are suggestions to upgrade the bios and stuff that I am no really confident with.
Any more guesses?

[ranchhand]

"It only shuts down when it is really working hard."

It's going to be one of three things: Overheating, Bad memory, or your power supply is underpowered or faulty. Less than likely but a possibility also: carefully, with a very bright light, check the capacitors on your mobo. If you see the tops slightly bulding upward, or dark goo oozing out from the top or bottom, your caps (and thus your mobo) are bad.[/quote]

[edDV]

Everything is clean inside, and the side has been off for a while, so there's more ventilation there.
It only shuts down when it is really working hard.

Side off isn't necessarilly going to increase CPU/chipset cooling. Often cooling is reduced with the side off. Max cooling happens with inlet fans pushing air into the case and outlet fans pumping air out so long as air flow reaches critical components.

[gadgetguy]

While bad memory, etc. is possible and shouldn't be ruled out, I still think it's heat related. It's a common misconception that taking the cover off allows better ventilation. This is not always the case as a good case is designed to route air flow for good ventilation of critical components and removing the cover defeats that routing. Having said that, if everything is clean, with the cover off, point a desk fan at the CPU while encoding and see if that helps.

[dun4cheap]

Go to the control panel and double click on the system icon. Then click the advanced tab and click on the settings button under startup and recovery. Uncheck the box that said Automatically Restart under the system failure category. This way next time it fails you can read the error. When you reboot go back to the control panel and go to administrative options and go to the even viewer and see if there is any info in there as well.

But I agree with the others about bad memory or over heating. Power supply is less likely but it is still a possibility especially if you have a lot of hard drives on a single 12V rail. You can download a free memory testing software, do a google search for windows memory tester.

goodluck.

[didikai]

Thak you all for the replies

[RabidDog]

A Pentium 4 .. doing a cpu bound process that normally runs at 100% CPU? Gotta be CPU overheating! Get a better CPU fan...They are relatively easy to fit along with thermal paste.. You or someone you know should be able to fit it. I heartily recommend this (quiet, V. good %cheap)
Arctic Cooling AC-FRZ-7P Freezer 7 Pro Socket 775 Processor Cooler