[Ham-Computers] Computer shutting itself down

[Dave Corio]

    Amazing number of replies to this issue! Many thanks to all. Here's 
the latest on it.

    Just ordered a 500-watt power supply for it. Sure can't hurt, and in 
all likelihood will cure the problem.

    However - Someone suggested I map out the airflow in the case. While 
I didn't attach little strips of tape as suggested, I do see a serious 
design flaw in this case! This is a tower unit, and the power supply is 
mounted in the upper rear of the case. There is an opening at the bottom 
front, supposedly for air inlet. When a placed a piece of light tissue 
by this front opening there was no indication of airflow at all. Opening 
the case showed the vent clear of obstacles or dust. When I looked at 
the rear of the case, the problem was obvious.

    The fan mounted on the CPU is blowing the heat from the CPU directly 
into the power supply. But worse than that is a vent in the rear of the 
case, about the size of a small box-fan, _directly under the power 
supply_! Outside air has no chance to get to the CPU, as it is drawn in 
through that rear opening and  sucked into the power supply and 
exhausted out by that outflow fan!

    My first thought is to pick up a small box-fan from Radio Shack and 
mount it on that rear opening blowing in. That would put 
room-temperature air almost directly onto the CPU, then to be blown into 
the power supply and out through that. If I then tape closed the front 
vent opening, it would insure good air circulation.

    Thoughts on this?

Thanks again for all the help! It's greatly appreciated!
73
Dave
KB3MOW