[NTLUG:Discuss] Temperature Triggers

[Steve Litt]

On Thu, 27 Aug 2015 10:25:25 -0500
Stephen Davidson <gorky at freenet.carleton.ca> wrote:

> Greetings.
> 
> I have an oldstyle AMD CPU, one of the first generations after the
> legendary "Cook an egg on it". (I tried Googling for one of the videos
> from that era, but no luck in the first couple of pages, sorry).
> 
> Normal max operating temp is 95c, but the system does a protective
> shutdown at 90c.  I've tried modifying this in lm_sensors
> /etc/sensors.d, but so far no luck.  The current documentation seems
> to be not current with the current code.  I have an entry:
> 
> compute temp1 @+10, at +10
> 
> but it seems that:
>  - only the first @+10 is read and is used both for setting critical
> and adjusting display
>  - temp1 is now displaying 10c higher than other sensors.
> 
> NOTE: There is generally a 5c temp difference between 'Core0' and
> Temp1, Temp1 being higher.
> 
> Any suggestions?

I'd try very hard to lower that temperature.

0) Are you running unusually CPU-consuming software? Prime number
   generator? Massive Gentoo compiles for hours on end? How hot does it
   get just idling?

1) How hot is the environment around your computer's case?

2) Are there any restrictions on the flow of air into the case? If it's
   a laptop, this is often true. If a desktop, just make sure all
   intake and outflow is 6" away from other stuff.

3) Is the CPU heat sink fan spinning well? If not, replace.

4) If nothing wrong in its environment or intake/outflow or fans, open
   the case, vacuum out all the dust bunnies, and if not already done
   so, reroute the cables for maximum air flow through the box. Be sure
   to vacuum dust out of all fans, including the CPU heatsink fan.

5) If all air flow and fan issues have been handled and it's still
    overheating, as a last resort remove the heat sink, clean out any
    old heat sink compound, apply new heat sink compound, and
    reassemble. Consider replacing the heat sink with a higher
    performance one. While messing with or replacing the heat sink,
    there's a risk of breaking or shorting something and killing the
    machine, but if it were my machine I'd believe that the risk of
    such operation is less than the risk created by the high CPU
    temperature.


SteveT

Steve Litt 
August 2015 featured book: Troubleshooting: Just the Facts
http://www.troubleshooters.com/tjust