My computer keeps over heating?

Question

Just recently my computer started randomly over heating. It locked up so I opened the case and put a table fan by it. I finally got around to replacing the thermal gel and that didn't have any effect. One thing I have noticed is that the fans used to go faster or slower based on temp but now they just go the same speed.

Answer 1

I doubt that's the problem.  I've owned over a dozen computers in my life and I have never had a computer lock up because of overheating.  I've had them lock up because of viruses, bad memory, and configuration issues.  If your computer is freezing up because it's overheating, you bought a cheap or a bad make PC.  

Answer 2

download speedfan from here:

http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php

It should give you some idea of what it is thats overheating. it could be your cpu, video card, motherboard, hard drives or ram. Speedfan also gives you the ability to control fan speeds.

good luck and let us know how you get on

Answer 3

I've seen computers lock up all the time from overheating. Usually it's because of dust clogging the fans up, if you have an air compressor or canned air it's usually good for trying to clean that. While without seeing it I wouldn't know what's making that burning smell, adding an intake fan to the case if it doesn't have one always helps a lot.

Answer 4

if your computer is over heating you might want to check if it is cloged with dust, if so you have to clean this out, but don't use a vacum cleaner what ever you do, use a can of compressed air and take of the side panel and spray it prety much every where in the computer, you can look up tips on youtube if you are uncritain of any thing. hope this helps you

morgan