Desktop crashing - overheating?

chateauneufdupape

I have a 5 year old desktop running Windows XP Home. When I went into the study there was a slight burning smell. I turned the computer off for several hours and took the casing off and cleared out as much dust as I could. I then booted up the computer and after disc checking, it started normally. After a few minutes it then suddenly restarted itself but got stuck on the start up screen. I let it cool down and again it rebooted after a few minutes and hung again.

I suspect something is overheating, but would welcome any advice.

thomas01155

Install speed fan http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php it should tell you the temps post them back here.

gaming_guy

if there was a burning smell, it could also be that the PSU is at fault

chateauneufdupape

I have downloaded speedfan via my laptop and will try and install it. I'm not sure that I will be able to do this before it crashes If I suceed, I will post the results.

melorablack

If there is a burning smell it is the PSU, suggest you buy a new one, it's happened to me before

chateauneufdupape

The burning smell has not come back again, but the computer only stays on for a few minutes, so possibly does not get that hot. Could it have done some damage that trips it out?

chateauneufdupape

I am getting an error message when I try to install speedfan. I shall try again tomorrow.

chateauneufdupape

Hi all, the problem turned out to be the graphics card!