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Desktop is failing to respond

So I just got up today -at 11:30- and ate some oreos. I went straight to my bland non-custom dell computer and started it up. I tried to launch LaTale with the desktop icon and not from the OGPlanet launcher. My cursor made the, "loading" symbol for W7 and I assumed it was working. But then I noticed that it was taking a bit too long... and then I noticed it wouldn't let me click any icons. I can open the start menu but it plays the error noise if I try to open control panel, etc. Just now it started so that I couldn't even make any use of it. IE is on the bar on bottom (idk what it's called) and that's how I opened it. Norton is doing background scans ATM if that matters, but it says my comp is, "idle." Not sure if that means anything. I just restarted my computer for the 4th-5th time and also had it completely power off and rest for a few minutes. My mouse is wired.

Please help me, I want mah latale

July 7, 2012

1 Comment • Newest first

BobR

I'm guessing from your description this is a desktop computer tower, not a laptop..?

Depending on how old it is, and how hot it is where your computer is, the problem may be due to overheating.
Computers tend to build up dust inside and the dust blocks the air flow to important internal components that need to be cooled, or the computer starts acting the way you described, eventually shutting itself off to protect itself from being damaged by the heat.

You can inspect the insides of the computer to see if it looks like this might be the problem.

Lay the computer on its right side (when looking at it from the front) with it turned off.
Then remove the left side (which is now on top with the computer laying on its right side).
There are usually two screws along the back of the computer, one near the top and one near the bottom holding the side of the computer shut.
Remove those two screws and slide the side of the computer toward the back slightly until it releases, then lift the side up and off the computer.

Look inside. It shouldn't appear overly dusty anywhere.
There should be a fan in about the top middle of the motherboard, which is the large circuit board visible at the bottom of the case.
Use a bright flashlight to look into the fan and down through the fan blades.
There should NOT be a large buildup of dust on the fan, or on the shiny aluminum fins under the fan.
If there IS a lot of dust, or what looks like a grey blanket under the fan, it needs to be removed to allow the air from the fan to cool the CPU chip which is under the fins.

You can brush the dust away with a slim watercolor paintbrush, or an old toothbrush with a small head, or use "canned air" from a computer store to blow it away.
BE CAREFUL not to damage the blades on the fan.
Use the canned air to blow the dust off anything else that looks dusty inside.
Once you've got all the dust cleaned out, replacing the side is just the opposite of taking it off.

Reply July 8, 2012