PC working overtime

[Bushwack44]

I have a Windows 7 PC that I haven't installed any software on for 2+ months. But since about two weeks ago, the second fan comes on for about 3 minutes, stops for one minute and...rinse and repeat.

It comes on after boot up, comes on when opening Chrome, Firefox or IE. Comes on opening Photoshop (but not MS Word or Outlook). I assume the second fan is related to video. But everything on screen has been working fine.

Opening Windows Task Manager, I see a file called svchost.exe takes up about 13% processing power when the second fan comes on. I've tried cancelling that file (end process) but after about 10 minutes, the fan starts up again and the file (I have 20 files with the same name) once again takes up good processing power.

Any suggestions how to stop the second fan from coming on? It never has before and I know it is not normal. FWIW, I opened the PC's case to clean out whatever dirt/lint may have been on or near the fan (there was very little). Nevertheless, fan still comes on.

[bigmike82]

Right click and select go to service.

That'll tell you what service is using all that power. I've seen the stupid windows update service misbehave like this in the past.

Google the services that come up, and if one of them is update google "windows update using up CPU".

That should get you started.

[Bushwack44]

That seems to have helped. Before I read your post, I decided to uninstall Adobe Flash and that also seems to have stopped the fan coming on. My guess is when I re-boot, that file regarding windows update will come back and...rinse and repeat.

Right click and select go to service.

That'll tell you what service is using all that power. I've seen the stupid windows update service misbehave like this in the past.

Google the services that come up, and if one of them is update google "windows update using up CPU".

That should get you started.

[OutlawStar]

When was the last time you cleaned out the dust from the metal heat sinks? Keep in mind dust easily accumulates on the metal surfaces, and the weather is simply heating up also.

Thermal paste also starts breaking down after about 2 years and becomes significantly less effective over time.

[Bushwack44]

Dust/dirt/lint isn't the problem. ENtire interior of PC was recently cleaned.

I did find a Photoshop file called Adobe Analyzer would draw processing power when not used (so I disables it but can still use Photoshop). There was also a Windows 7 security update file that wouldn't install that was causing problems. That also has been disabled. So far, the fan hasn't come on. Time will tell....

When was the last time you cleaned out the dust from the metal heat sinks? Keep in mind dust easily accumulates on the metal surfaces, and the weather is simply heating up also.

Thermal paste also starts breaking down after about 2 years and becomes significantly less effective over time.

[solislbc]

When was the last time you cleaned out the dust from the metal heat sinks? Keep in mind dust easily accumulates on the metal surfaces, and the weather is simply heating up also.

Thermal paste also starts breaking down after about 2 years and becomes significantly less effective over time.

^^^this. The thermal paste between the heats ink and cpu may have also lost its effectiveness. Short term solution, get a cooling pad to draw heat away if it's still a problem after you clean and reapply more paste.

[afteractionreport]

Clean out your tower i like to use the hose with soft brush from the vaccuum.

Remove heatsink wipe off old thermal grease and apply some of this stuff...




Edit: also if you can replace tge heatsink with one from this manufacturer...they are the best in the business

http://noctua.at/en/products/cpu-cooler-retail

[afteractionreport]

Also what services do you have that automatically start up at system start up?.. Those programs take up alot of resources

Get an app that helps with that like ccleaner... Only thing that i have start up at bootup is my antivirus every other program is disabled.

[Bushwack44]

First I hear/read of this. I'll give it a try. I assume its available on Amazon.

Situation is better. Second fan now goes on in Chrome watching YouTube (after 3-4 minutes into a video) but turns off 30-45 seconds later.

Clean out your tower i like to use the hose with soft brush from the vaccuum.

Remove heatsink wipe off old thermal grease and apply some of this stuff...

[OutlawStar]

Its important to know you should use rubbing alcohol to get the paste off, and re-apply according to common instructions. If you need input from us, let us know. Otherwise there are all kinds of tutorials.

What computer case do you have, and just how loud is the fan? Thermal paste is less than $4 from amazon, frys, and I think even Best Buy has some. Arctic Silver is pretty much the best you can get, and will work for about 6 heatsink installs, but it usually dries out in less than 2 years.

You may want to consider changing fans to a lower noise rating, or adding fans to constantly be on.

[the86d]

If it was a stock fan/CPU combo, the default thermal transfer compound is like a wax. I usually scrape it off (if there are issues) with an expired credit card/pre-paid gift card of which I keep a stash of around for this one purpose. I then clean the heat block on top of the CPU and heatsink, apply arctic silver, one dab in the middle to prevent air pockets, and prosper.

I have seen older Intel CPU/FAN combos do this the most. If the issue then persists, get a better fan, with a larger heatsink, with a higher CFM rating?