Bad CPU ?

[haiwan]

My system is crashing at seemingly random points, usually during bootup around IDE detection, or in the bios.

It boots maybe 1/10 times, but every other time it freezes. The in-BIOS temp is usually around 54-58, but it usually crashes before I can wait long enough to see if will change.

Could this be a problem with the chip? Someone told me that if an AMD overheats to some degree, that it can still function but be very unstable.


Ram is ok, video card is ok, motherboard *seems* ok.

1.33 GHz TB
Epox 8kha
2x256 Crucial DDR PC2100
Gainward Geforce3
400W Antec PS
AMD-approved heatsink/fan

 

[WarCon]

What kind of heatsink do you have? Retail? What thermal compound are you using? For it to be at 58C as soon as you can see the temps in bios and then it fails shows that it is having an extreme issue with your thermal interface between the core and the heatsink. Did you use the pad that came with it? If you did, did you remember to remove the covering that is over the pad? Also did you make sure the fan is turning on the heatsink? One last thing, the clip that holds your heatsink on can be turned around and it doesn't work that way. There is a part of it that touches the heatsink, that part should be centered over the core. That way it presses only on the core and not off to one side. You can also put your heatsink on backwards. All of these things can cause what your looking at. But if it is a bad connection, then you need to do something about it and don't try turning it on until you have.If your not sure then you should just spend a few bucks and take it to your local shop and see if they can see the problem. If it is a heat issue, $25-50 bucks is cheaper than the hundred or so needed to replace your chip.

Anyway good luck, it doesn't sound like its broke (yet).

 

[nealh]

I agree check the HSF assembly....

 

[haiwan]

Its a ThermoEngine Aluminum HS, with a ThermalTake 36CFM fan. I used some Antec thermal grease..

I reseated the HSF and made sure it was really on correctly. First time I boot, it boots flawlessly. I reset, and it freezes before ide detection.

However, I looked at the bios, and my temp is 38-42, much better. Maybe the HSF wasn't on well enough before, but the problem remains. I did it a bunch of times, to realize that the successful boot comes in sequence:

1st Boot: freeze before ide detect (after RAM is counted).
2nd Boot: freeze during ide detect
3nd Boot: freeze during ide detect
4th Boot: freeze during ide detect, after HD displayed
5th Boot: freeze during ide detect, after HD displayed
6th Boot: Boot Normally

I'm pretty sure its not related to the HD, because the same thing happens when the HD is not plugged in, or a different HD is in.

I really dont want to have to reboot 6 times to get into Windows

 

[haiwan]

I just read my last message and it really looks like its an IDE/HD problem. But it also crashes seemingly randomly in BIOS.

 

[Jwyatt]

So your temps are now in the high 30's low 40's? Thats about normal for a 1.33 birdy.

Your still crashing?

Try using one ram at a time and see if it still crashes. Ive seen bad ram do some crazy stuff before. Also is your bios set to auto for IDE detect? Might it be set to something besides what HDD your using?

Just throwing out some suggestions here

 

[haiwan]

yah, temp is now between 38-42..

I just tested the cpu in another mobo, and it worked fine, booted every time. Also, I tried a duron in my 8kha and I got the same freezing problems, so that leaves me with thinking that its either the motherboard or the ram, and I dont have any other ddr ram to test with..

 

[krushstone]

Does it work if you underclock it?
try it at 10 * 100 just for fun

 

[haiwan]

i put it down to 600, and got the same problems..

 

[Evadman]

What Mobo are you running?

 

[haiwan]

epox 8kha

 

[Wind]

What PSU u r using ?

 

[haiwan]

antec 400w, like its says in the first post

 

[GUN]

My bet is on the Mobo or maybe a bad PSU.

If you manage to boot into windows check your volts. If they seem ok(not fluctuating by more than 5-10%) it sounds like your mobo is bad.

good luck chap! just eliminate.

 

[haiwan]

yah i think i am just going to end up rma'ing my board...

that'll be 2 8kha's, oh well

thanks for all the help from everyone