PC Still won't work! Have I tried everything?!

[DragonQ0105]

**Note: This Post is long because I've tried to make it as detailed as possible.**

Before this all started happening, I couldn't play games without my Deskfan on because the PC would freeze after about 10 minutes.

OK. My Motherboard died on me and would not get past the "Verifying DMI Pool Data..." Stage. Fine. I got a new one. Fine.

Next step - install Windows 98 (I didn't want to try XP yet, as I wanted to just get it up and running first). Worked, until I got to the desktop. If I started opening My Computer etc., after a while I'd get a "User.exe" Error and the program would be closed. Happened in Internet Explorer too.

Also, I noticed that there was a high-pitched whining sound coming from the PC - it happened when I did anything (even if I held the mouse button down). I suspected a faulty PSU. It even happened after I unplugged everything except the basics. Hmm...

Replaced the 235W PSU with a 350W PSU. Yay. Go to install Windows 98 SE (I thought maybe it'd be more stable), and got about 5 different "Error Copying File" Errors. Each one worked afer I pressed "Retry" though. Hmm...weird...

When I get to the "Please type in your Name and Company" Screen (after the 1st reboot), the PC restarts randomly after about 5-20 seconds (whether I typed anything or not). Grrr...

Fine. Try Windows XP. Does its thing where it copies necessary files before the main installation. After this, the PC Reboots (it isn't meant to), and I have to start again. Happens every time. OK, it might be the Hard Drive.

Unplugged the HDD, tried a newer one. Same thing. (All through this, the whining noise is still there).

Now, rebooting is a common PSU error, or memory problem. Well, it can't be either of those. Here's a list of the things I've tried so far:

- Tried Windows 98, 98 SE, XP Pro.
- Tried all possible combinations of the following PC100 SDRAM Sticks: 64MB, 64MB, 256MB, 256MB.
- Tried 2 Hard Drives
- Replaced PSU
- New Motherboard
- Tried both GeForce2 MX400 and On-Board Graphics
- Tried both Optimised Defaults and Fail-Safe Defaults
- Tried taking out PSU to give much greater airflow around the CPU Fan, and tried Deskfan blowing.

Now, it seems to me that the only thing left is a Damaged CPU. Now, before I go and buy a new one (£40), I want to get opinions on whether a Damaged CPU can cause these problems - I don't want to spend more money for it still not to work!

Could this be down to a Damaged CPU?

 

[ski]

A bad CPU can cause restarting problems.

Did you check the CPU's fan as the source of the whining noise?
If it's the cause, then the CPU may have overheated.

 

[DragonQ0105]

Well I can't pinpoint where it's coming from. At first I thought it was the HDD (it seemed to get louder when the HDD Light was on), but it could be the CPU Fan.

So you think a faulty CPU Fan could have caused the CPU to overheat and get damaged?

Something I forgot to mention earlier:

Case Temp: ~20C
CPU Temp: N/A

(Accoridng to BIOS). The CPU Fan is definately plugged in properly, and the CPU Temp used to work on my other motherboard so why doesn't it read now? I'm sure it's plugged in correctly (I followed the motherboard manual)...

 

[ski]

Disconnect the HD, and see if the whining goes away.
If so, then the HD's the source.

Is the CPU's fan running?
Is it connected to the correct MB terminal?

 

[DragonQ0105]

Yes, as I said I followed the manual's instructions - plug in the 3-pin CPU Fan Connector into "CPUFAN01" on the Motherboard (which was clearly marked and I definately have the right one because the only other place it can go (i.e. the same type of slot) is on the other side of the board.

The whining is still there without any HDD connected...

 

[BadBigBen]

The whining is a sign of capacitor leakage (USUALLY)... check your caps for buldging or leakage (Brown/Orange stuff comming out of them)...

and yes to your question "can a defunct CPU cause this"... aswell as bad RAM (I had a stick of RAM that would cause the freezing of a PC after 5 - 10 min into operation (working temperature reached) which checked out fine with all diff MEMTESTERs out there...

Ben


If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer...

 

[DragonQ0105]

I doubt it's RAM as I've tried 4 different modules.

A capacitor leakage....hmmm...but it is a brand new Motherboard, and I can't see any evidence of something like that (the Brown/Orange stuff you mentioned).

 

[kjv1611]

Replaced the 235W PSU with a 350W PSU. Yay. Go to install Windows 98 SE (I thought maybe it'd be more stable), and got about 5 different "Error Copying File" Errors. Each one worked afer I pressed "Retry" though. Hmm...weird...

For this problem, it's likely a scratch on the CD or a problem with the CD-Rom. I've encountered it before, myself.

For motherboard not showing CPU temps, could you have accidentally damaged the temp sensor under the processor, or some other part when installing the mobo? Also, have you checked for any bios updates for your mobo? Sometimes bios updates can make a world of difference.


Stephen
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6 KJV

 

[DragonQ0105]

My motherboard came with the latest 1.4 BIOS version.

The CPU Temp thing, as weird as it is, is not a top priority. My main priority is finding out what is causing the reboots during Windows Installation (after trying all of the stuff I mentioned)....

 

[chriseubank]

I'd go buy a new processor, and some fans for your video card (so you can play games w/o using the desk fan LOL)

Chris

 

[DragonQ0105]

I'm pretty sure that the overheating was due to the PSU being directly on top of the CPU Fan, but thanks for the input

So, I should buy a new CPU you generally think?

Is there a good chance that a new CPU will sort the problem out?

 

[chriseubank]

well it seems like you've replaced everything else! ! !

Do you have a good friend's machine that you could test the possibly-faulty CPU on?

...or call your local computer shop and ask them to test it for you on an old PC or something.

CPU's are getting so cheap anyways, why not have a second one. Gives you an excuse to get a dual-processor board if it doesn't end up being the solution!! lol

 

[kjv1611]

Was the power supply a generic one? From my expirience, as well as what I've read here and at other places, if you got a cheap PSU, then it's a good chance that's your problem. It'd be best to go ahead and get a 400watt or higher PSU in a name brand so that you are covered for any future upgrades. If you overheated the CPU for whatever reason, it could also cause problems, but if the reboots are more random, and not system freeze ups, my guess would be the psu, even though you already replaced it. Also, make sure you have the 4pin (square) connector from PSU connected to your mobo if there is a spot for it, or else it will not work correctly, regardless what you do.

Stephen
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6 KJV

 

[DragonQ0105]

I have tried the following 3 PSUs:

- My old 235W (no 4-pin CPU Connector)
- Generic 350W (With 4-Pin CPU Connector)
- Brand 400W (With 4-Pin Connector)

None change/solve the issues I'm having.


Most of my friends have newer P4 Boards so I can't really test it...and I was going to get a cheap replacement 1GHz (Min. my Motherboard can take), but they are not sold anymore (couldn't even find any on ebay.co.uk) - the lowest priced one I could find is an AthlonXP 2000+ Retail with Heatsink/Fan for £40...

 

[kjv1611]

Are the PSU units you are trying compatible voltage wise with UK standards, instead of US standards? I don't know much there, but have read in some of these posts that there are some differences..

Stephen
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6 KJV

 

[satrow]

AMD specs for approved PSU's (last time I looked) stated that the base of the PSU needed to be vented or have a fan installed (can't remember which). Do yours?

What motherboard is it? Was the first one the same model?

Andy.

 

[DragonQ0105]

Yes, it is a 230V Input (US is 240V as far as I'm aware, Europe is 220V, and UK is 230V ~50Hz).

The fan at the base is there, but irrelevant beause it still happens if I take it out (increasing Airflow) with my Case Fan on...

Motherboard is an MIS KM2M Combo-L...


New thing to note: Tried again without the Graphics Card (using On-Board Graphics), and instead of restarting, the screen went black, and it said "Windows Protection Error. Your PC must be Restarted. Press Any Key". Upon pressing a Key, the system Shutdown....

Also, the whining noise is DEFINATELY NOT coming from either Hard Drive OR the PSU(s) - it must be the CPU Fan, in which case, if it started earlier (i.e. the Fan started failing a while back), then that could've caused CPU Damage....


I think I'll order a CPU...but if it doesn't sove it, I have no idea what to do...and I'll have no money left lol.

 

[satrow]

Could you borrow some DDR from your friends? (If you only have SD..).

Andy.

 

[kjv1611]

Um, the memory should be SDRAM or DDR-Ram according to the motherboard spec's, so SD vs DDR ram is not necessarily the fix. If ordering a new CPU, try getting a name-brand heat-sink and fan that is rated for your processor. I recently got the Thermaltake Silent Boost, and it helped mine a ton. Read some reviews..

Stephen
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6 KJV

 

[satrow]

The ECS K75SA had many more problems with SDRAM than with DDR and probably uses the same chipset as this.

Andy.