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General discussion

Computer Hard Crashes/Freezes

Aug 4, 2017 8:57PM PDT

I can't post the specs ATM since its off but a year ago the PC i was using kept freezing/crashing(its from 2008/2009)Random times aswell, i could play for 5 hours with no problems or sometimes it'd happen after 10 minutes) and i haven't been able to use it since, i just did a fresh install of windows7 on the PC yesterday and now it barely even lasts 10 minutes, oh and it didn't freeze or anything while it was installing so idk. it was sitting idle for 6 minutes 37 seconds before freezing then needed to be shut down( yeah i know its bad but i had no choice otherwise it'd be on for nothing) I don't have money for a new one or replacement parts but what could be causing this? just old/outdated parts? The CPU usage reaches 100% even when i'd only have one thing open and it was CS:GO. No idea when thermal paste was last applied. The power supply was the only thing that got replaced.

Discussion is locked

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Enter the BIOS
Aug 4, 2017 9:16PM PDT

may be using the DEL key at boot time. Once in the BIOS, go to the temperature section and watch the temps for 5-10 minutes, see if it keeps climbing till it shuts off, or goes into unsafe area. If so, then replace the thermal paste between the heatsink and processor. Probably a good thing to do anyway since it's been awhile.

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update
Aug 4, 2017 9:42PM PDT
http://imgur.com/a/g2rqq It ended up freezing there after not even 3 min. went from 48 C to 50 C in the CPU section, thought it just wasnt moving but i tried exiting and nothing.
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Start with some simple cleaning
Aug 4, 2017 9:50PM PDT

Get a can of compressed air and a small brush.

Give the innards a good cleaning.

Pay attention to the fans and heatsinks.

Give the psu a few shots of air from both directions.

Power it up and watch the fans, no slow fans are allowed.

Leave the case cover off and test.

Should set you back <$10