"Hardware Monitor found a problem"

I am hoping someone can help me. I have a Sony Vaio. I am not extremely computer literate.

Whenever I start up, I get a black screen with white text. At the bottom of the screen, it says "hardware monitor found a problem ". When I enter setup, and hardware monitor I get this:

MB Temperature 52C/125.5F
CPU Temperature 78C/172F
CPU Fan Speed 5487RPM
Power Fan Speed N/A
VCORE Voltage 1.6V
+3.3V Voltage 3.3V
+5V Voltage 5.1V
+12V Voltage 12.1V
-12V Voltage -12.3V

Nothing is in red.

I have contacted Sony to no avail. There was a post in this listserve posted January 8, 2006 that addressed this same issue. I have followed the prompts, but can't find the solution.

Ideas?

Thank you!

Chris

 

Hi and welcome to the BBS,
The CPU temperature is very high (and the system is considered being at idle at startup in the BIOS settings), the motherboard is quite high as well. You will need to open the case, loosen any dust with a soft brush, take it outside and blow the dust out (cans of compressed air are available at electronics stores, eg. Radio Shack). Look for dust blocking the air vents. You will need to run it and check all the fans are spinning freely (don't miss the power supply fan).

At that temperature the CPU fan may have stopped working.

Has anyone removed the heatsink from the CPU and not replaced the thermal compound that goes between them?

I think you will need to find the cause of those high temps.

Matt

 

Thanks Pete, I did a search and it appears it could be either a laptop or desktop (don't ask me Sony questions )

My search found this:
http://www.vaio-link.com/index/index.asp?l=en
Maybe some info for you Chris.

Matt

 

Thanks guys -

My Vaio is not a laptop.

When it is running for some time (around an hour) the MB temp creeps even higher (up to 180 F). At this point, when I enter the start up menu and hardware monitor this temp is listed in red.

The computer will turn itself off at that point, so I know there is an issue with the temps.

However, I don't think this is related to the error message I get at startup (when the temperature is much lower). Would the fact that the Power Fan Speed is listed as "N/A" provide any clue as to why I am getting that error message?

Regarding the high temps...

I have opened the case and tried to clean out the inside with a vaccum. I can try with compressed air as well.

I am not sure if the fans are functioning. Can anyone help by telling me where they are located, or what to look for?

Thanks,

Chris

 

The heatsink under the CPU fan may have it's fins blocked with dust, this is common. The fan should be able to be taken off the heatsink, it will be bolted or clipped on. Be careful not to remove the heatsink from the over the CPU (as I said, if this happens, the thermal compound needs to be replaced). You can usually get a thin wire between the fins of the heatsink and loosen the dust. (Just to correct myself, I said the CPU fan may have stopped, but it seems OK in the monitor readouts. Check it is spinning freely all the time though).

The air intake vents will be at the front of the case, sometimes you need to look carefully to find them. The front of the case should be removable reasonably easily (usually by clips around the edges).

The case is not situated so that the exhausted air at the back is being restricted? Always leave at least 6" behind the case for the heated air to escape. If there is a place at the back of the case to add an extra exhaust fan I suggest you get one. They are only a few dollars at the electronics stores (and you will probably find them at department stores in the computer section).

You need a good air flow through the case to remove the heated air.

Some of the recent graphics cards generate large amounts of heat. If you have upgraded the graphics card, look at improving the air flow with more fans.

Matt

 

Mattman and PeteC -

Thanks for all the ideas. I have opened up the Vaio and cleaned it out.

There is a rectangular "box" that the power cord plugs into. This "box" can slide out of the computer. I've noticed that the fan at the top of the box is not working. I think this is why I am getting a "Power Fan Speed N/A" and why I am getting the "hardware monitor found a problem" prompt at startup.

I also hope that the fact that this fan is not functioning is why I am getting such high temps.

So, any ideas of where to get a replacement "box" (do you know what it is called anyway?? - seems to be the power source)?

I assume I would just disconnect the wires and install a new "box ". The other option would be to open the "box" and see if something is not allowing the fan to work.

Any other thoughts? This is very helpful.

Thanks,

Chris

 

PeteC -

Is it worthwhile to try to open the PSU and see why the fan has stopped (maybe it is being blocked, etc.)?

Regarding replacing the PSU, I would assume you just disconnect the wires that lead to the rest of the computer (and there are many of them!) and reconnect the new PSU in the same places - correct?

Right now, the back/top of the tower gets uncomfortable to the touch - I would assume the PSU would be as well.

Thank you!

Chris

 

MAYBE the best idea would be to remove the power supply unit (PSU) and take it to a computer repairer. They will probably have a replacement fan (you could ring first and check). Most of the fans in PSU's are replaceable in a few minutes.

Try not to run the system until the fan is replaced. The high temperatures will be damaging it.

Matt

 

Follow up...

I did ultimately have someone take a look at this for me. The PSU fan ws out. We tried to replace the fan, but the new one wasn't functioning either. We determined that the powersource to the fan was bad (which was why I was getting the "hardware monitor found a problem" in the first place).

So, we were able to powerup the fan from the MB (he lost me on this, but was able to make it work).

So now, I have a fan and my computer is not overheating (MB temps are at 96.5f, CPU temps 138f after running for some time).

The person who helped me encouraged me to buy a new computer (he thought mine was about 5-6 years old). In the meantime, this one will have to suffice.

I am still tempted to try and find a replacement Sony PSU. The person who helped me thought this might be difficult, given the unique size/shape of the Sony PSU. Any ideas where I might find one? Is it worth it to pursue? He thought it might run me $40 or so.

Chris

 

I just looked up the local Sony webpage (www.sony.com.au). Under the Support heading it has a link "Spare Parts ".
http://www.sony.com.au/category.jsp?id=22845
Try your local Sony website.

Matt