Big PC problem.... how do I know if it's CPU or Motherboard?

[happyshoppa2]

Hi guys, could really use some help, I don't know what to do next...

I had this computer (E6600, Asrock mobo) working for nearly 3 years without any problems. Since I've just upgraded to sandybridge, I used this old one in a new build and gave it to my parents. For a week it was fine. Then I replaced the CPU cooler for a quieter one, and that was also fine for 2 days, but then it started to freeze up every half hour (even when idle) and require a reset. The next day it froze and wouldn't even boot up again, and never has since.

PROBLEM:

Computer totally locks up when loading Windows. Screen freezes within half a second of it starting to load. Cannot install new Windows either, it copies all the files ready to install and then locks up at 'setup is loading windows'. The comp POSTs fine and everything is looking fine in the BIOS.

I'VE TRIED:

I unplugged everything that wasn't necessary, all usb devices and optical drive and front panel connectors etc. I then swapped the graphics card to a different one. Then swapped the ram, and tried it in different slots. Then swapped the harddrive for two different ones. I reset the bios to defaults and tried clear CMOS. Then tried a different PSU. Finally I tried putting back the old CPU cooler since replacing that was when the issues started. Nothing has made any difference.

So I've replaced everything except the CPU and Motherboard. I don't have other ones here to test, so I need to buy a replacement. But which do I buy? As I said the computer posts fine and the bios checks out okay.

Thanks

 

[SieB]

I'd say it's the CPU, when you replaced the cooler did you check the temps to see if you had applied the thermal paste properly? A computer usually freezes due to overheating, I could be wrong but that is my guess. So, if you haven't done already try reapplying the thermal paste.

 

[happyshoppa2]

Well, you could be right. When it started to freeze I thought I'd better check the temps. They were very high for it being idle, about 69c. So I figured that's what the problem was. I fitted some fans in the case and the temp went down to 58c. But even with the 10 degree drop it still crashed.

I had used the thermal pad that came stuck to the bottom of the cooler, and it was a new case that didn't have any fans by default, but I thought this wouldn't matter since this was just my parents comp that isn't being used for anything more stressful than facebook.

When I used to use this CPU I had made it crash lots of times during a hot summer playing games. It would really suck if it's died during a cold winter running facebook!

Is there something I could run, say from USB stick, to test it before buying a replacement?

 

[PurpleTrance]

Playing around with voltages and trying to max-out my chip gives me the same problem.

Same thing did happen to me a while back, i thought i'd fried my CPU - i tried everything but nothing worked. Until i took out my motherboard battery for about 20mins, reseated my CPU and unplugged the motherboard from the PSU. Put it all back together and it worked fine.

 

[happyshoppa2]

Thanks purple, I hadn't actually thought of taking the cpu/battery out, at least I have something else to try now...

 

[SieB]

Well, you could be right. When it started to freeze I thought I'd better check the temps. They were very high for it being idle, about 69c. So I figured that's what the problem was. I fitted some fans in the case and the temp went down to 58c. But even with the 10 degree drop it still crashed.

I had used the thermal pad that came stuck to the bottom of the cooler, and it was a new case that didn't have any fans by default, but I thought this wouldn't matter since this was just my parents comp that isn't being used for anything more stressful than facebook.

When I used to use this CPU I had made it crash lots of times during a hot summer playing games. It would really suck if it's died during a cold winter running facebook!

Is there something I could run, say from USB stick, to test it before buying a replacement?

You should be able to see your temps in the BIOS, have a look around in there. 69c idle though is way to hot, you shouldn't even get that whilst gaming idle temps should be low to mid 30s. But if you were getting 69c/58c idle I'd say it is definitely the CPU seen as temps would have gone in to the 90s on load and that would most definitely cause your PC to freeze or shutdown.

EDIT: I forgot to say you could try a Ubuntu live CD, just burn it to a disk or put it on a USB stick, it tells you how on the doenload page.

http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download

 

[CRAZYCAP]

what CPU cooler have you gone from and to mate?

 

[PurpleTrance]

Thanks purple, I hadn't actually thought of taking the cpu/battery out, at least I have something else to try now...

Hope it works out for you. Nothing worse than a broken computer.

 

[happyshoppa2]

what CPU cooler have you gone from and to mate?

Originally had an old Zalman thing, but it was too massive to fit into the new case (parents wanted a small pretty-looking case). So at first I put the old stock Intel one on, but that was very noisy so finally I replaced it with a fairly cheap Akasa one (which is supposed to be quiet, and for a hairdryer it definitely would be).

 

[adicool96]

Dude apply some good quality thermal paste or TIM on the cpu remove that pad from the cooler and then make sure u have mounted the cooler properly see that it applies some pressure on the cpu. Your temps at idle are too high they should be 29-31c.

 

[happyshoppa2]

Tried removing the CPU and mobo battery for half hour, put it all back together but still no luck.

Bios says CPU is 28c idle right now.

So, buy a new CPU you reckon? The mobo probably fine since the bios etc works?

 

[happyshoppa2]

Dude apply some good quality thermal paste or TIM on the cpu remove that pad from the cooler and then make sure u have mounted the cooler properly see that it applies some pressure on the cpu. Your temps at idle are too high they should be 29-31c.

I'd already tried putting the original zalman cooler back, with artic silver 5 paste, temps are fine now but still can't boot windows.

 

[adicool96]

Maybe you corrupted windows. Try another re-install.

 

[SieB]

I'd already tried putting the original zalman cooler back, with artic silver 5 paste, temps are fine now but still can't boot windows.

Have you tried a linux live CD? I made an edit in my last post about it. If the heat damaged the CPU the damage is already done and putting thermal paste or a better fan on won't help. If you can't boot a Linux live CD I don't know what else to suggest.

 

[happyshoppa2]

Maybe you corrupted windows. Try another re-install.

Tried that, it still locks up during install. Tried different harddrives and optical drives too.

 

[happyshoppa2]

I'll give that a go SieB

 

[PurpleTrance]

You could try plugging the HDD into another SATA port? Still might be a motherboard problem, you never know. Sounds to me (as a guess) like the HDD is having trouble communicating with the motherboard as opposed to it being a CPU problem. Or could be something like your running too many componants off a single PSU rail.

I wouldn't jump the gun and buy a new CPU just yet. Might be frustrating, but try to exhaust every possiblity before buying a new componant.

 

[happyshoppa2]

Right I just tried Ubuntu from the USB stick. It boots to the first menu, but whether I choose to run it from the stick or to install it, it stops shortly afterwards while the setup is running and the text is filling the screen. Doesn't lock up completely because the cursor is still flashing, but it doesn't get any further. Tried the stick on my main comp and it worked okay.

You could try plugging the HDD into another SATA port? Still might be a motherboard problem, you never know. Sounds to me (as a guess) like the HDD is having trouble communicating with the motherboard as opposed to it being a CPU problem. Or could be something like your running too many componants off a single PSU rail.

I wouldn't jump the gun and buy a new CPU just yet. Might be frustrating, but try to exhaust every possiblity before buying a new componant.

Tried different ports, cables and drives, IDE and SATA. Tried different PSUs too (only the harddrive plugs into it anyway).

I've exhausted every possibility I can think of, but I don't know which out of the mobo/cpu I need to replace. Whichever I buy, it'll be the other one

 

[SieB]

Tried different ports, cables and drives, IDE and SATA. Tried different PSUs too (only the harddrive plugs into it anyway).

I've exhausted every possibility I can think of, but I don't know which out of the mobo/cpu I need to replace. Whichever I buy, it'll be the other one

Are you a Brit?

If yes check out CEX.co.uk you can get a 775 Pentium 4 for £5 and you could use that to tell if it is the CPU or the Mobo, works out cheaper than spendig £50 plus on a new one and less of a loss if it turns out to be the mobo and not the cpu.

http://uk.webuy.com/...p?sku=SCPU6CNE3

Also try Linux Mint in case it's just Ubuntu not working with your other PC.

 

[happyshoppa2]

A fiver, haha, cheers I'll check that out

I'll try the other linux too. Big thanks for the help.