Bad CPU or MOBO

[techlink]

I have a computer that won't boot, it starts and runs for about 1-2 seconds and shuts off. Sometimes if it runs longer I get a constant high low beep which I think indicates CPU, however if I remove the HDD it will start up and run until it shows no OS. If I change out the HDD I get the same situation so I'm thinking CPU any thoughts?

 

[Freestone]

The high/low alarm and the 1-2 seconds then shut off both point to a overheating CPU condition. Is the CPU fan operational and free of dust? I am unsure why removing the hard drive allows the system to run, but it would give you a chance to enter BIOS and see the CPU temperature the motherboard is reporting.

 

[Freestone]

I should have added some motherboards give the same symptoms for a failed CPU fan too.

So could be failed fan, failing fan rotational sensor on the fan or the motherboard, failing CPU heat sensor.

 

[wahnula]

It all depends on the BIOS, for Award BIOS this list says:

 Repeating High, Low beeps  	 CPU failure  	 Bad processor

From

http://www.amptron.com/html/bios.beepcodes.html

Tony

 

[techlink]

I unplugged the power to the HDD and booted into setup and found
25VSTR fail
+3.3v fail
+12v fail
CPU Temp 0
Current system Temp 0

I did run a tester on the PSU and it shows OK
the CPU fan is running as well as the case fan
I also reseated the RAM
I am going to try the HDD in another machine to back up info just in case of failure so I should know if it is the HDD soon

 

[techlink]

Not exactly sure what happened, but I reseated the CPU and put on new thermal grease, then put in an old HDD with windows 2000 and the computer booted. So then I put in the original HDD and the computer is working as it should. Now the question remains is the CPU going bad or possibly the PSU which checked out ok when I checked it. I haven't rebooted it yet as I wanted to backup some info first.

 

[Freestone]

The voltages and temperatures you listed earlier are all certainly suspect. Perhaps a bad reporting module on the motherboard?

Good luck. Maybe the reseating and regreasing of the CPU fixed it.

 

[techlink]

rebooting failed, right back to where we started. Starts for a second and then stops, if it does run longer I get the high low constant beep until it shuts off. If I can get it to boot it seems to run fine, until I want to restart it. I suspect the CPU is failing or possibly the MOBO, I think I will start with the CPU.

 

[techlink]

Finding a replacment cpu is proving difficult it appears nobody carries a socket a processor athlon xp 3200+ barton

 

[wahnula]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the Athlon XP was re-badged Sempron last year, here's a 3000+ socket A OEM for $25:

http://www.directron.com/sda3000aio2bx.html

Tony

 

[Freestone]

Tony,

That is a socket 754 processor not a socket 462 (socket A) processor, therefore not compatible.

Dell

 

[wahnula]

Oops...nice catch Freestone thanks. Sometimes in my zeal to help I miss a few details...like if it will work

This company has a lot of pulls...removed from supposedly working machines...caveat emptor

http://www.pcprogress.com/product.asp?m1=pw&pid=AMDXPMOB2000+OEM

Tony