Again Adw,
If you haven't already I suggest you try SIW to monitor key system parameters
eg. CPU, HDD temps, rail voltages.
The clean & cooling added may do the job.
Acer tend to use (too) small enclosures which can get hot and difficult to add an extra fan.
What is the "house fan" you refer to?
I am having the same problem now. The problem occurred to me before, leaving me with a lot of searching as well.
After all the research, I found out that most of these problems were (indeed) caused by overheating. Noticing this desktop doesn't have a lot of space to add other hardware such as cooling fans, I tried to fire up the fan speed itself in the hope that it would prevent the computer from giving the 'no signal' error. After rebooting, I opened up the Menu pressing Esc at the first starting screen. At this menu you could adjust the fan speed by disabling the 'Smart Fan'. Save and leave the menu. As the computer rebooted, the sound coming of the fan (or wherever) at least tripled, leaving me with a fairly hard sound..
Nevertheless, when I tried playing my game (Shaiya), it didn't freeze up anymore. After a while, I stopped playing online games and switched over to simple, low-graphic games. I decided to put the Smart Fan back on giving it the normal speed and sound. After doing so, the computer haven't crashed once again.
ALTHOUGH, today... I installed Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands. After playing for about 6 minutes, the horror started all over again. Me being a smart ass, I immediately turned off the Smart Fan again in the hope it would erase the problem. Frankly, it didn't.. It didn't for about 6 times now. So I searched again, leaving me here with the same problem as you guys. If anyone found a solution, please post it, cause it's getting a real pain..
Cooling pads and removing the battery when you aren't using it, can both help dissipate heat in laptops and flat desktop model computer. (with the desktop you have to get creative to attach the pad to it though)
Sadly these systems just really aren't made for gaming, their compact nature makes it very hard for them to dissipate heat the way gpu's need to.
I would leave the smart fan over the CPU alone.
Your PC is one of ACER's little vertical desktops - right?
I suggest you leave the side off and use a small portable fan on hot days/heavy load conditions if not in air conditioning. This will lower temperatures significantly. Monitor your CPU and HDD temperatures. The HDD on ACER desktops can be crammed in.
I can often drop the temp by 3-5C just by taking the side off, but have never seen a discussion on the risks involved in running it this way. What are other's experiences?
Pro's and Con's of course. If you have pets or kids dont. Besides the obvious burn/shock potential I have found all manner of things stuffed into the side of a desktop that was open.
Pro's of course cooler but dirtier. Usually if there is a heat problem is can be substantially reduced by the usual things. Thermal paste, location, cleaning, power, etc.
Here is an example of a small Acer Aspire I own.
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300, 1GB Nvidia card right up the top (no lower slots), HDD sandwiched between the case and a DVD rewriter.
Great thermodynamic engineering isn't it!
So
- side off + small extra fan when needed
- no small children or pets nearby of course
- enclosed power supply (safer than a toaster)
- quick clean with compressed air every now and again (easy access!).
With small fan GPU and HDD (heavy load access) drops temperature ~10 Celsius.
I can run 4 CPU cores 100% hours on end and stay under 50 Celcius (rated 74C)
You'd never build your own system like this!
Attachment 159075
Edit: The post was intended as an option (which I use) for other ACER case type owners.
Last edited by mjf; 11 Jun 2011 at 18:21. Reason: Edit:
In the long run dust build up may occur a little faster, but barring you spraying water or something caustic into the side of the case it really shouldn't harm life span or anything at all.
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