Tina Norris Fields
tinanfields at torchlake.com
Sat May 14 15:27:39 CDT 2011
Hi Jim, Some good thoughts there, even though the computer doesn't get shut down, it just doesn't boot all the way. Still, these suggestions will prove quite helpful, I am sure. T Jim Lawrence wrote: > Hi Tina: > > Check the BIOS to see what setting you have on the "over-heating" issue. > > Some BIOS will automatically shut down your computer when it over-heats. > That over heating can be caused with a fan, either CPU fan or one for an > onboard built-in video chip fans. Even if the fans are working sometimes so > much dust gets into grooves of the heat-sink, or between the cooling > assembly and the chip that heat just can not disperse properly. > > Note: > 1. If you do remove the fan assemble, to clean it you should replace the > heat-sink compound. (If you do not know; that is the paste that is placed on > top of the chips so the chip and fan assemble can transfer heat property > between them.) > 2. Make sure the fans are running steadily and quickly. Sometimes dust and > grit can cause them to not work properly. Carefully removing the lable (and > replacing it...should be a perfect seal), on top of the fan, can gain you > access to the fan bearing and a very small drop of three-in-one oil can do > wonders. > 3. You can also use a Can-of-air to blow away dust and dirt in small places > around the fan assembles; just remember to have the computer turned off and > cool before using the Air as the cold blast can damage a hot chip. > > HTH > Jim > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com > [mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Tina Norris > Fields > Sent: Saturday, May 14, 2011 7:49 AM > To: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues > Subject: [dba-Tech] Another Puzzle - computer doesn't boot all the way > > Hello Friends, > > Well, since we've solved the puzzle for the Fields-Family computer, I > can get back to one I was working on earlier. > > The patient is an IBM NetVista computer. I have a family member with > access to a sort of electronics junkyard, where discarded items go, many > of which are still quite usable, but may need a little updating, and > most of which have been discarded simply to make room for newer > equipment. The NetVista computer came from that source. The operating > system is WinXP SP3 - I did the installation of the operating system - I > set up the user accounts - I installed OpenOffice software - I installed > Vipre -I was working on the updates for all the software and the OS, and > all seemed to be fine until I got to one of the final updates and had to > reboot the system, and it wouldn't reboot. > > I don't have the same detailed notes on this that I make when I know I'm > dealing with a puzzle - I thought this was working perfectly - so, the > sequence of events is no longer clear. However, the POST was wrong - > rather than the single beep, there was a series of beeps (4 or 5 in a > row). Looking up what that might mean, I found what I thought was the > most likely culprit - a failing power supply. If it doesn't send a good > power signal, the system won't boot. So, I bought a nice new power > supply - the precise model called for by the NetVista specs - and > installed it. Booted right up. Yay! I continued working on the full > setup of this machine, and had it running for probably an hour when I > got to another reboot - and it wouldn't. Same exact symptom. The power > comes on, the initial screen is displayed, and nothing more happens at > all. I put the computer aside for a while, because I had other things > to tend to. > > A month later I came back to the sleuthing. Could be the CR2032 > battery, after all, the machine is ancient. So, I replaced that. > Booted right up. Yay! Continue setting things up just the way I will > want them for a student computer in my little classroom. The system > seems to be running just fine, until I reach another needed restart. > Won't boot. Same exact symptom. Power on, initial screen is displayed, > and nothing more happens at all, no matter how long I wait - waited five > hours just to be sure. > > So, I think there is a thermal issue here. When the computer warms up, > the reboot does not work. If I let the sucker sit for a week, it'll > probably boot for me again just fine. > > Now, one of the NetVistas I already had running reliably, has developed > the same apparent symptom. Reboot starts, but hangs at the display of > the opening screen. > > Have you seen this symptom? Is it likely a thermal issue? Does it > sound like a failing solder joint? Does it sound like a failing > switch? Any ideas? > > Thanks, > T > > _______________________________________________ > dba-Tech mailing list > dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com > > _______________________________________________ > dba-Tech mailing list > dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com > >