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Intel Active Monitor

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by pmfturner 1 view

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I have a Tiny computer, about 4 years old, which has had (amongst other things !) its motherboard, hard drive and modem replaced; current spec is ?x86 Family 6 Model 8 Stepping 3 127Mb RAM, and it is running on Windows 98. Ever since the hard drive has been replaced, periodically the following message pops up :-

?Intel Active Monitor
Your Processor has exceeded its maximum recommended temperature.
Click the ?View Details? button for more information.?

Clicking the ?View Details? button does not give any further information, but a message appears saying that the information will be displayed next time on start up ? which it isn?t ! These messages seem to pop up more and more frequently, and the PC appears to be getting slower and slower, especially when on the internet.

Is the processor fan faulty, and if so, how can I confirm ? Could there also be a modem problem, and likewise, how can I tell ? Is it something else, such as some memory failed ? Are there some diagnostics that I can run ?

5 replies

by tcstombar

You have an Intel motherboard, a good choice. Your Intel Active Monitor is a program that constantly monitors the temp as well as other things on your motherboard. It is reporting that your CPU is running hotter than the alarm temp that has been set. And I'm sure that it's telling you the truth.

You should open the case and check the CPU fan or heat sink to see if it is dirty or filled with dust. If it is, clean it. Make sure that any ductwork to the CPU fan is open and clear of obstructions. Make sure that that both the CPU fan and any case fans are turning.

Close the box and start the computer. The Intel Active Monitor has an icon beside the clock in the bottom right side of the screen. Doubleclick on this icon to open it. Monitor the temperature for a while to see if it is still overheating. A normal Intel CPU runs at 35 - 50?C. The default setting for the Upper Threshold is 70?C. This threshold can be moved up a little to about 80?C. if need be. The Intel CPUs are almost indestructable by heat and don't start to sustain any damage until they are over 100?C.

by otl

In addition, check/clean all the vent holes in the PC's case. Poor ventilation will cause overheating.

Just before you get the message you should hear the CPU fan speed up, if not I would look at it being the culprit of the temperature problem.

Clean out your temporary internet folder, Win 98 will slow dramatically after 512 entries in a particular folder. Processor/HD working too hard to find space/directory space to place/annotate another file.

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