My computer is set so that it automatically shuts off when it overheats. I haven't turned it on for a while because I had to store it in my closet when I adopted a kitten. But I set it up and it shuts off just after it logs in to my account. Which is after about 2 minutes. I had the side cover off the computer and there was a fan blowing into it. I also cleaned my computer not too long ago with a vacuum cleaner and computer spray. I can't back up my stuff on there because it shuts off before I can load anything and I don't want my computer breaking from overheating. I'm too poor to buy a new computer let alone new hardware. Does anyone have any advice?

If the problem is processor overheating, a thorough dusting should have resolved the issue. Also, recent Intel processors will throttle power and/or clock rate before completely shutting down, at which point the heatsink fan should sound like an airplane taking off. AMD processors simply shutdown and/or burnup. You may have another issue, such as a power supply that fails when it warms up/failed power supply fan. How old is the computer? Do you see messages (even briefly) when it shuts down, or any blinking lights?

Bootup into the BIOS setup utility and let the computer sit. That's about as idle as it gets. See if it shuts down in the same time duration. Also verify all your fans are turning.

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Originally Posted by Scleros

If the problem is processor overheating, a thorough dusting should have resolved the issue. Also, recent Intel processors will throttle power and/or clock rate before completely shutting down, at which point the heatsink fan should sound like an airplane taking off. AMD processors simply shutdown and/or burnup. You may have another issue, such as a power supply that fails when it warms up/failed power supply fan. How old is the computer? Do you see messages (even briefly) when it shuts down, or any blinking lights?

Bootup into the BIOS setup utility and let the computer sit. That's about as idle as it gets. See if it shuts down in the same time duration. Also verify all your fans are turning.

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I think it was purchased about 3 years ago. It makes a beeping sound to let you know that it is overheating and then shuts off. There are no messages that pop up before it shuts off. The computer is a hand-me-down from my older brother so I have no idea what kind of processor it is. I looked around and inside the computer but I can't see any text. I didn't see any blinking lights
I checked the fans and it seems like the mini fan on the motherboard [i think, it's the large verticle board on the back] is not working. Could this be why it overheats and shuts off?

The mini fan ON the motherboard is the one directly cooling the CPU. If it's off, I'm confident you've found your problem.

Fortunately, those are very inexpensive. Just unplug it from the MOBO and the power (apy attention to where it connected to the MOBO) and take it a computer parts store for a replacement. Shouldn't be more than $15

I'll also add that you'll want to carefully unscrew the fan from the metal finned heatsink if it is that type. Other stock processor fans from that era used plastic cam lever clips. You want to avoid disturbing the heatsink and the thermal paste that mates it to the processor. If the heatsink moves and the thermal paste is disturbed, you're looking at pulling the processor and reapplying the paste properly. If you don't, you risk burning up the processor within seconds of powering the computer back on.

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Originally Posted by Scleros

I'll also add that you'll want to carefully unscrew the fan from the metal finned heatsink if it is that type. Other stock processor fans from that era used plastic cam lever clips. You want to avoid disturbing the heatsink and the thermal paste that mates it to the processor. If the heatsink moves and the thermal paste is disturbed, you're looking at pulling the processor and reapplying the paste properly. If you don't, you risk burning up the processor within seconds of powering the computer back on.

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Originally Posted by JBeaucaire

The mini fan ON the motherboard is the one directly cooling the CPU. If it's off, I'm confident you've found your problem.

Fortunately, those are very inexpensive. Just unplug it from the MOBO and the power (apy attention to where it connected to the MOBO) and take it a computer parts store for a replacement. Shouldn't be more than $15

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Thanks so much for your advice! ^--^ I'll take it to a store to have it replaced then!

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Originally Posted by JBeaucaire

The mini fan ON the motherboard is the one directly cooling the CPU. If it's off, I'm confident you've found your problem.

Fortunately, those are very inexpensive. Just unplug it from the MOBO and the power (apy attention to where it connected to the MOBO) and take it a computer parts store for a replacement. Shouldn't be more than $15

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Okay so I got the minifan replaced. So now the computer stays on for a couple hours if I don't play any games or rip CDs. But if I do play games it autoshuts off after 5 minutes or less. I went into the BIOS and checked the settings. Apparently the Auto shut off when the computer hits a certain temperature is already TURNED OFF. But it still shuts off when it overheats automatically anyway. I raised the temperature for it to shut off at to 90C but it shuts off when its like 70C or 75C. I have the side cover off and all the fans are working. I also have a big fan blowing on the whole computer. My room is pretty cold too. The underside of the processor heats up real fast when I play games. But Is the problem with the MoBo because the changes I made in the BIOS aren't happening?

I installed Speed fan and PC Wizard so I could check the temps

Put the cover back on and see how it does... it needs forced air.
And what is the problem with heat, do you have a small case, or
The cards too close to each other? Is there any way to move around
The cards so that they have more air to pass through?

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Originally Posted by cogs

put the cover back on and see how it does... it needs forced air.
and what is the problem with heat, do you have a small case, or
the cards too close to each other? is there any way to move around
the cards so that they have more air to pass through?

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No the case isn't small. And it still shuts off when the cover is on. The inside of my computer isn't that cramped so I'm kind of wondering what the problem is. The temp when it shuts off is like 70C. Is that overheating?

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Originally Posted by narky

my computer is set so that it automatically shuts off when it overheats. I haven't turned it on for a while because i had to store it in my closet when i adopted a kitten. But I set it up and it shuts off just after it logs in to my account. Which is after about 2 minutes. I had the side cover off of the computer and there was a fan blowing into it. I also cleaned my computer not too long ago with a vacuum cleaner and computer spray. I can't back up my stuff on there because it shuts off before I can load anything and I don't want my computer breaking from overheating. I'm too poor to buy a new computer let alone new hardware. Does anyone have any advice?

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I just had the same problem with my PC and it turned out that the cables that run from the hard drive to the mother board were lose at the mother board. It was a simple fix to unplug everything and then plug it back in to make sure the connections were sound.

There is another possible problem with your PC. The power supply is going bad. They can fail as soon as they start getting hot, especially if the fan isn't working. Look to see if the fan is working first. Secondly, ask a friend if you can mount their power supply to your PC temporarily. If your PC works then you'll know it's the power supply.

Any chance for some pictures??

Is it still beeping when it shuts down while playing games?

You said its an intel processor? Any chance of a model... some intels are safe up to 90 it's a crazy thing but intel likes to run their stuff old stuff hot, download the software in this link

Install, and run... there are 3 tabs at the top, go to CPUID data and post packaging, and all the classification stats, I can then tell you some operating specs and we can work from there

Try to get some pictures up though