Damaged HTPC after overheating

NailZ · **28th August 2007, 03:55 PM**

Hi guys,

Ive been running a Media Centre for more than a year now. The PC was for a long, long time just placed on top of desk - so it always had excellent airflow. Nevertheless, I fitted lots of aftermarket cooling so that the machine was whisper quiet...

Anyway, I finally moved the HTPC into the lougeroom over the weekend. The I drilled 2 x 50mm holes into the back of my new TV cabinet to give the machine some airflow - however the PC is still enclosed from the front (glass panel) and sides (wood, about 5cms on either side).

After running the machine for about 1 hour I noticed a funny smell. I opened the cabinet and was greeted with stifling hot air. I pulled the machine out and set it up ontop of the cabinet. Ever since, the machine has randomly crashed.

What kind of crash? Well, no BSOD, just the power seems to cut out and does not attempt to restart. I have removed the case cover to see if its still overheating, but it has no effect on the crashing. All components are cool to the touch. Sometimes it happens after 15mins, sometimes the PC doesn't even manage to POST before crashing!

I need help to diagnose the problem - I think its power supply related since the crashing can occur before windows starts. Perhaps the overheating has permanently damaged to the power supply?

I have a spare power supply that I plan to put in (hopefully tonight). Its a bit noisy but it will do. Let you all know how I go... my specs below:

CPU: AMD Athlon 3500+ S939 (not overclocked)
CPU Cooler: Zalman 90mm AL-Cu Orb
Motherboard: Foxconn/Winfast NF4K8MC-ERS
Case: Silverstone LC17, 2 rear case fans
VGA: XFX 6800GT PCI-E (not overclocked)
VGA Cooler: Arctic Cooling VGA Silencer
Power: 480W GTR with 140mm fan
HDD: 2x400GB SATA Drives. One is Seagate, one Samsung
Tuner: Hauppauge Nova-T-500 Dual Tuner
DVD: LG Combo Drive.

GlenR · **28th August 2007, 05:09 PM**

I'd certainly start with the PSU. Since you have a spare on hand it is a quick swap and will confirm it.

The Brad · **28th August 2007, 05:17 PM**

Ouch, sorry to hear it.

It does sound like PSU, but the parts most likely to be damaged by a big buzz are the CPU & GPU.

I'd suggest ripping as much hardware out of the machine as possible to see if its any of the add-on hardware.

NailZ · **30th August 2007, 11:28 AM**

Ok, pretty much confirmed it was the Power Supply. Put the spare one in and watched a couple of hours of TV last night - and turned it on first thing this morning just to make sure I wasnt dreaming.

Oh well, could be a lot worse. Power supplies are relatively cheap these days - exp since I only require ~300W!

Let this be a lesson to all you out there about installing media centre's in TV cabinets. I drilled 2 large holes directly behind the PC in the back of the cabinet (with plenty of room on all sides) and it took less than an hour to kill the power supply.

dgaust · **30th August 2007, 11:41 AM**

Get some big silent fans and screw them over the holes in your cabinet. Should improve airflow significantly, and save you burnout out any more components.

Luckily it was only the power supply. GPU's or CPU's are a lot more painful to have to replace.

CraigMBecket · **30th August 2007, 04:27 PM**

NailZ,

I would suggest that 2 50mm holes are insufficient to provide the airflow you require. I cut out an area approximately the same size as my rig from the dack of the cabinet, that way airflow from the back of the rig is not obstructed, mind you I do not have a glass front.

Craig.

NailZ · **3rd September 2007, 12:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigMBecket

NailZ,

I would suggest that 2 50mm holes are insufficient to provide the airflow you require. I cut out an area approximately the same size as my rig from the dack of the cabinet, that way airflow from the back of the rig is not obstructed, mind you I do not have a glass front.

Craig.

In hindsight - I completely agree with you. In my defence, I put the 50mm holes directly behind the power supply and the case fans on my case thinking that this would not impead airflow - but I didnt realise until now that the power supply hole was adequate for air intake, but there was no hole for power supply exhaust... so hot air was probably just recirculating over and over again.

I agree, I think a hole about the same size as the case itself is required. Whilst the hole will be completely hidden at the back of TV cabinet - my fiancee is not so keen on my continual hacking of the new furnature...

I'll have to keep the pressure on her

Thanks guys!

scottb721 · **3rd September 2007, 05:56 PM**

On my cabinent I cut out almost the entire back of it and fitted a louvre panel that are in those bi-fold door thingys. Straight on you can't see thru it but looking upwards there are plenty space between each louvre slat.

CraigMBecket · **3rd September 2007, 10:50 PM**

NailZ,

Can understand your fiancee's problems with the idea but it may be the only way you can go, I cannot see the cutout behind my rig and the hole hade it easier to connect up all the cables.

Best of luck, with both the machine and SWMBO

Craig.