My desktop keeps on shutting down THERMAL VENT OVERHEATING

Overheating When the CPU overheats then it will shut down (i.e. thermal overload) and won't boot up again until it has cooled down. If this is the problem is not fixed then the CPU will eventually fail.
A faulty fan causes the problem or the fan and heat sink assembly are clogged with dust.
Check the CPU fan to see if it spins freely, if not replace the fan.
If the fan and heat sink is clogged with dust the remove the dust and make sure the vents are clear and dust free. Use a small brush and can of compressed air to do this.

A) FOLLOWING Anti-Static Procedures;

1) Clean the inside of the computer out

2) Replace the Thermal Paste on the Processor (CPU)

THOROUGHLY clean top of CPU (Processor), and bottom of Heatsink.

PROPERLY apply fresh, new Thermal Paste.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/274

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3071621&CatId=503

http://www.dell.com/support/Manuals/us/en/19/Product/optiplex-gx620

Click on the blue ->
Dell Optiplex GX620 System User's Guide (5990KB)

Using Mini Tower Computer as an example;

In the list click on;

1) Removing the Computer Cover

2) Processor

For additional questions please post in a Comment.
Regards,
joecoolvette

How long is shortly? If it runs and brings up the Windows Desktop and you are allowed to work for 10 minutes or longer then it shuts down, most likely the laptop is overheating. One way to tell if it is overheating is to immediately try to turn it back on after it shuts off. If it will not boot back up, it's overheating. If you let it sit and cool off for a while, then try to boot it back up and it does it successfully, it's overheating.Causes of Overheating:1) Dust all inside the computer. Fans clogged with dust, dust around the vents.2) Fan not working 3) The Thermal Past around the CPU has dried up or is too thin the keep the unit cool.When you plug in the power cord is there any lightswhatsoever on the laptop, where the plug goes in or on the AC Adapter of thepower cord?

When you press the power button do you hear fans running, hard drive spinning,lights on the computer, hear any beeps or lights constantly blinking, hear theDvD/CD drive click and the light on the drawer of the DvD/CD turn on for asecond or two? If so the laptop is trying to boot or may have booted, butthe screen is not showing for some reason.

Beep tones and blinking lights tells the technicians what is going on with thelaptop and why it is not booting. Most times it's a motherboard issuewhen you hear beeps or blinking lights continuous.

Sounds like you are overheating. One way to tell if it's overheating is you say it will run for about 30 minutes then shuts down. When it shuts down try rebooting to see if the boots successfully. If it fails to boot successfully right after it shut down then you are probably overheating. If you wait awhile to let it cool down for 30 minutes or so and if you reboot and it does it successfully you definitely have a overheating problem. If I remember correctly all those compaq sr series have loud and fast running fans. Computers overheat because of three reasons for the most part: 1) A fan has stopped working. 2) The Thermal Paste on the CPU and Heat Sink has dried up or is not thick enough to keep the unit cool. 3) Dust has clogged the fan vents and inside the computer. Fortunately for you desktops don't have to be completely disassembled like laptops to get to the fan, CPU and heatsink. Just pop the case and you'll see the components attached to the motherboard

Your processor is overheating. Along with the CPU fan, there must be an adequate amount of thermal paste between the processor and heat sink.

Hi,

I suggest try to check these things on your machine.

->Check if the machine is Overheating.
->Check which part of the machine is Overheating.
->See if the Fan of the machine is Running(Feel if the air vent of the machine)

Cause of Automatic Shutdown:
-Memory
-Hard Drive
-Fan is not working

Most likely those are the cause of the machine keeps on shutting down unexpectedly.

Most likely when a computer shuts down on its own it is because the computer processor or power supply is either overheating or is under powered.
Feel with your hand around the computer case and back of the power supply (has circular fan usually/ on off switch/ and a plug goes into it)
If it is very hot you will have found your answer.
Did you just install or upgrade a processor? If so you may need to check to make sure that there is thermal compound (artic silver, etc) between the processor and heat sync. This can cause overheating and sudden shut downs. If not move on
Is your computer in a small enclosed area? Try moving it to an area with more area for ventallation and cooling.
Do you have adequate cooling/fans? are they working? if not check power cables and may need to replace the fans or install more. You can buy and install case fans pretty easily
DUST. Are the fans and imputs dirty? Keeping them clean will keep the computer running cooler and help lower temperature and avoid shut downs. If your fans/imputs are dirty remove dust by using a can of compressed air, a vacuum made specifically for pc/electronics. or you may wipe them down with rubbing alcohol and a dust free cloth.
This should help Anthony

thermal shutdown.... it's overheating and you need to make sure the fan is working and clean out the dust and dirt

Robert

I am not totally sure if this is the problem, but I would suggest that you may have a power supply issue or possibly it going out. If the computer runs fine, and then shuts down, than this can be more symptomatic to a overheating issue.

In my limited experience with overheat issues, the computer actually smelled like it was getting hot, and then it would slow down and then sometimes stop. Most computers have fail safe settings where they either alarm, or shut down or both when they overheat.

if your computer is randomly keeps on shutting down this is a thermal issue which you need to address. check airvents, use compressed air to clean all possible obstructions between heatsink fan and processor. try avoiding blocking the airvent of your notebook. try also updating your bios