Trainz is shutting down my PC

[AMTRAKwannabe]

Hi, I have encountered a major problem. Whenever I launch Trainz (CMP is fine) my PC shuts down within 5 minutes, I have not had this problem until recently, and I haven't done anything to my CPU except uninstall several programs. Please Help!

OS:
Windows 7 Home Premium 32-Bit
2GB RAM
AMD Phenom 9750 Quad Core Processor
ATI Radeon 2100
DirectX 11

 

[nicky9499]

The most probably cause of an automated shutdown is the CPU cutting out to protect itself from overheating. Trainz is a CPU-taxing program. So logically, the following would be possible, some of which I've experienced before.

1. The heatsink is incorrectly installed and not secure.
2. The heatsink fan is failing.
3. The heatsink fan is so clogged up with dust that it can no longer effectively push air.

If you've not been mucking around the insides, the third one is possible because your machine is probably pretty old (Phenom 1 was released 07/08).
Use a tool like CoreTemp to monitor your chip temperatures, before and after launching Trainz.

 

[cascaderailroad]

I bought Arctic Silver heat sink compound at Radio Shack for $14 a teeny tiny tube ... cleaned my heat sink & chip with rubbing alcohol ... applied it sparingly to my chip, and mounted the heat sink back on. Operating a PC in a cold envionment, with a fan blowing directly on the heat sink helps.

http://cdn.head-fi.org/7/79/1000x500px-LL-79485c68_redneck_engineering_15.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-q92Q7qXs4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf9N7qpwiO0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz2SeEzxMuE

If you really must blow out your PC with a Sears & Roebuck 378mph leafblower, make sure your fans are pinned from spinning, with Burger King straws.

 

[nicky9499]

If you really must blow out your PC with a Sears & Roebuck 378mph leafblower, make sure your fans are pinned from spinning, with Burger King straws.

This is more important than it sounds. Overspinning a fan will damage its motor.

 

[falcon500]

Yeah CPU overheating is the most likely cause. CPU paste like Arctic Silver should be replaced fairly regularly. I found out the hard way when my PC went tits up through running TS10 and TS12 caused so much overheating the motherboard eventually died. Adding an extra fan in the case that blows towards the CPU may help.

 

[Bhorton]

As I always say, Laptop overheating? Blow the vents!
(I have a dog who is always shedding fur (a basset hound), so I need to give my vents and fans a good blow every once and a while).

 

[fran1]

I'll go with post #2, 3rd idea.
Unplug all cables and put the comp on it's side on a flat surface. One side of the case (usually the left as you look at the front) comes off by undoing 2 screws (top+bottom) at the back.
Get the hoover and put the smallest knozzle on it, a small paintbrush and a kebab stick or cotton bud ( to wedge the fans) + canned air.
Hoover the dust from the base of the comp first, next look at the fans and brush the dust off them while having the hoover suck the dust. The processor (cpu) has cooling vanes under the fan which need to be dust free, try canned air on that to save taking the fan off sucking the dust as you go.
The 2100 also has a fan, have a good look through the fan to see if dust is trapped under it, canned air that as well.
Finally have a good look round and remove any other dust you can see.
If your not confident enough get someone to do it for you.

 

[xcrossi]

Hello:
I had the largest and as many fans installed that would fit When I had my system built
I bought a HoMedics hepa Air filter and set it right next the tower.
You'd be surprised how much dust it catches every mouth.
Yea I know it cost $90 but worth it.
ACPI x64-based PC
AMD Radeon HD 6900 Series
Saitek Cyborg Keyboard (HID)
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 950 @ 3.07GHz
Four MONITOR\DEL4019

bla,bla,bla
Be cool,stay cool
Gerry

 

[AMTRAKwannabe]

Here,s my problem, same stuff since 2009 b/c of money, I'm only 13...

 

[xcrossi]

Well thats half way to adult.
I understand about the age and money problem.
So I went to work at 10 clearing sidewalks in winter and lawns summer.
at 12 got a after school paper route had it for 3 years. No sports,No after school fun.
7 days. High School..Ha..WORK! after school.
Gerry