Presario PC fan produces loud sounds, shuts down computer if not stopped

[dyd]

Hi,

This PC problem has been around since the computer was purchased two years ago.
The computer name is Compaq Presario PC AMD 64 Athlon, the OS being Windows XP Media Center Edition. I've noticed that, whenever a program loads up, taking more than 70% of the CPU (in the task manager), the computer fan spins so quickly that a very loud whirring sound is produced. Not only is this sound annoying to hear, but also I am worried about the long term damages of the computer when the internal server overheats (which is probably why the fan is spinning so loudly).
Terminating the application in the task manager is what i do if the fan-spinning doesn't stop on its own, but there are several problems:
1. If that application is System, then I can't terminate it
2. Sometimes an application (e.g. IE) loads for a second and the CPU usage jumps quickly to 100%, before jumping back to 0%. This could damage the CPU
3. If I'm using a certain program, or visiting a site that has flash media, for example, the fan would spin loudly. I'm stuck between stopping what I'm doing or enduring the loud noise before the computer invariably shuts down on itself

Is there any way to fix this problem?

 

[mailpup]

It's probably too late now but if it was doing this since it was new, you should have returned it to be fixed free under warranty. It sounds like the heatsink is not connected to the CPU properly or there is something wrong with the thermal compound connection between the heatsink and CPU.

 

[dyd]

Can you post a rough diagram? Maybe there's something I can do, if it's safe.

 

[mailpup]

There are several guides you can google for on the internet if your manual isn't helpful. It's not rocket science but it's possible to screw up and cause some damage. If you have no experience inside your PC, check out some the guides and see if you can follow what to do.

Basically, you unplug the fan electrical connector, remove the fan/heatsink assembly, clean the thermal compound off, reapply a small amount of fresh compound, reattach the heatsink and plug the fan in.

 

[dyd]

I opened up the CPU, but nothing seems to be wrong. However, I did notice that whenever the fan is running loudly, a program takes up 99% of the CPU. I have a laptop, and no programs on that laptop runs 99% of the CPU (thus the CPU on the laptop, max, is 50%). Here the CPU often runs to 100% with a program (e.g. IE7) taking up 99% of the CPU

Can any one fix this?