CPU Overheating? 1

[kentover]

I have a Gigabyte motherboard that will accept an AMD Athlon XP 2600+ CPU. The computer ran great for several months. I mean absolutley no trouble. Then it began to not "revive" from a powersave monitor shutdown, which is the only powersave feature that I use. I would reboot and all would be fine for several days. One day it never came back even though it seemed to boot with no video. Anyway I tested the components, except the CPU cooler, in another computer and all worked fine. I tried another memory stick but that made no change. This left me thinking that I had a bad motherboard so I bought a new one, a newer Gigabyte. There was no change at all. After reseating the CPU, 8X AGP video and memory I was able to get it to boot and run normally for about 10 minutes before it locked up. I tried to reboot again but it would not boot. By the way, I can't boot to a floppy either.

I read somewhere, some time back, that removing the CPU pads (cushons in the corners) would offer a better connection for heat transfer.

QUESTION: Should I try removing the pads before replacing the cooler or is there a more likely solution to my ongoing problem?

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[Sheco]

Look in the bios settings for the CPU. Many motherboards have the ability to make the speaker squeal if the CPU starts getting too hot.

 

[kentover]

I get no video what so ever but if I can get it to boot that far once, I will try. It is a good suggestion.

 

[paparazi]

Don't touch the small round "stabilizing" pads, they help keep the heatsink squarely on the core, removing them is a bad idea.

The most obvious component that causes these symptoms when it fails is the power supply.

A failed CPU can also do the same but is less likely than the PSU.


Is your heatsink/fan rated to XP2.6+ ? if so why do you want to replace it?
Also can I ask when refitted did you properly apply new paste to a clean CPU and heatsink?

Have you any reason to believe the CPU has over heated at some point? ie: is the fan free running and the heatsink completely free from dust build up?

Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[kentover]

I will check the heatsink rating butI am sure that it is the correct type. I was considering replacing it because it seemed to me that the CPU overheating was the most reasonable conclusion. The system is less than 4 months old and is still fairly clean as far as dust build-up.

When I reseated the CPU I added additional paste hoping that would help with the heat transfer. When I installed it I applied the proper amount but the second time I added considerably more.

If the power supply is the most obvious cause, it would seem to make sense. It came with the case, which I chose mainly for its size and component access.

I do however get the power and HD lights when attempting to boot. Basically it acts just like the video card is fried but I have verified that its not.

Thanks for the good info and direction.

 

[LloydSev]

have you tried a different video card?

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[kentover]

Not yet. I was trying not to buy another one. I did however test it on another system and it worked fine...

 

[LloydSev]

ok so you did test yours.

See mine did the same thing, seemed as if it booted up but no video. And it was my video card, as for whatever reason my gigabyte board did not give me a post code.

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[paparazi]

kentover
Always completely clean both CPU core and heatsink before re-applying a small amount (1 to 2 rice grains in volume) of new paste.

I don't know how many times I say this but:
The recess in the base of the heatsink must be positioned so it is located over the raised cambox of the CPU socket.
Socket A heatsinks can easily be fitted 180degrees out causing instant CPU overheat! and often failure.

PSU's often fail but still give the appearance of supply (fans and lights on!) but no post.

Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[mainegeek]

kentover,
Based on what you have stated, I would suspect the power supply as the culprit as well.

 

[kentover]

I cleaned the heatsink and cpu and reinstalled it. The heatsink was quite a bit dirtier than I thought. I was also able to boot for a few minutes and watch the cpu temp which never went over 44C. I am convinced that it is the power supply and will be installing a new one this week.

Thank you all for your help. It's been a while since I was a hardware guy.

Kent