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*Clean* pc works after blowing with compressed air - what could be the problem?

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It's one of the work pc's, a bit old like 6 or 7 years. We're soon going to get a replacement for it, but I am still curious as to the cause of this problem:

Like once a week, it freezes. It just freezes, I mean the monitor still shows the desktop or the accounts program. It doesn't BSOD. Mouse pointer doesn't move, ctrl-alt-del doesn't work.
Then if you switch it off and on again, it doesn't boot. No beeps, no post, monitor remains on standby, and on the case both green and red leds remain on (normally only the green one remains on, the red one works during hdd activity).

The solution is to open up the side and give it a good blow with compressed air.

Now the pc is very clean inside (I use the compressed air on it like once a week) so it's not a dirt problem.
Any idea what could be happening and why the compressed air makes it work again?
Any clue as to failing hardware?

According to speedfan the CPU idles at 56 degrees... it's an Athlon XP 2600+
However I doubt that this problem is directly related to CPU overheating because even if I leave the pc unpowered for an hour or more and it cools down, it still doesn't boot unless I blow it with the compressed air.
:confused:

Thanks for any help.
 
Last edited:
T

thraxed

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Still trying to get over the fact of having windows installed for 6 to 7 years w/o having to reinstall...
 
D

Deleted member 24505

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Maybe its sussed out its the only way its ever going to get a blow job;)


Weird thing though,could it be some loose connection or something,that the blast of air wiggles?
 
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Looks like its the HDD.
Tried changing it?
If you don't have a replacement try a live CD after removing the HDD.
 

SpookyWillow

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yeah just check all connections
 

xu^

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don't forget compressed air is pretty damn cold ,maybe it lowers the temps enough for it to boot ?
 
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I've checked the connections endless times. Everything seems okay.

don't forget compressed air is pretty damn cold ,maybe it lowers the temps enough for it to boot ?

Hmm that makes sense...
 
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put a desk fan blowing on the side of the opened case, see if that does anything
 
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Its either because of the CPU temp, hdd is going, or the windows install is FUBAR.
 
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I say its probably a faulty PSU...
I had a rig which would randomly lock up becuase of an old dodgy oem psu..

Its not the HDD or it would boot up and just tell you that it cant find the disc after a lockup.
Its also not going to be CPU temp becuase as you say its incredibly clean and realtemp has it clocked ok
 
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Might be something to do with opening the case. This is like Clue sort of..
 

TheMailMan78

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I always work better after a good blow.
 
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The cpu temps are normal for that chip. I'm guessing it's the PSU as well. However, you could have some sort of miniscule foriegn object shorting something out that the compressed air alleviates when you use it. First I would suggest doing a complete teardown/cleaning/rebuild. You may have some greasy dust or something built up around some hidden component.
 

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re-seat the heatsink? after 6 or 7 years I could imagine all the TIM being pretty crusty and dry
 
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