Computer freezes up randomly--how do I fix it?

[bovinda]

My self-built HTPC started freezing up a couple weeks ago at random times, unrelated to the activity (or just while idling). At some point while restarting, I noticed it said that there had been a message during startup saying "CMOS error, press F1 to continue or Del to enter setup."

I figured it was a dead/dying CMOS battery, so I replaced it tonight. However, it's still freezing up--now more so.

I also noticed, however, that the fan on the northbridge of my mobo was reading as "0 RPM" by my mobo utility. When I popped open the case to replace the CMOS battery, I started the computer up and sure enough, the northbridge fan never started up.

So my questions are these:

1. Could a lack of a northbridge fan cause random computer freezes and/or a BIOS reset?

2. Now that I've replaced the CMOS battery, how do I flash my BIOS if it keeps freezing shortly after startup? (I don't even remember how to flash the BIOS for this mobo without a floppy drive, it's been so long.)

3. Is the solution here going to be a new mobo?

Here are the pieces that went into it (it's almost 3 yrs old now):

MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum mobo (socket 939)
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Newcastle CPU
Corsair ValueSelect PC3200 184-pin (2 x 512)
Antec Sonata case and PSU
BFG Graphics Card (NVidia 6600 factory OC'd, I believe)
Seadate 120 GB HD, Seagate 200 GB HD, 2x Samsung 500 GB HD

 

[robisbell]

the northbridge chip may have been fried, if the fans reading 0, and since it was not spinning at all, indicates a hardware failure.

new mobo will be needed.

 

[practor]

Check your cpu heatsink. I would clean it out, replace with new silver (not to much though)

Have you installed a new anti virus and have a old runing as well??. Do you use other uses on your pc?

 

[bovinda]

*sigh* That's what I was afraid of! Now I enter the internal debate...just replace the aging 939 mobo or try to spend a little and upgrade the system? Anyway, thanks for the confirmation, Rob.

Practer, the CPU fan seemed to be working fine, and I've only got one antivirus running on it. I think it's probably going to end up being the northbridge chip. New mobo time!

 

[robisbell]

I'd go ahead and look at new mobo,and processo and see if you can salvage the rest. may have to replace the case depending on which HTPC case you used.

 

[bovinda]

Yeah, I think I'll look into it. Thanks for the help again, Robisbell!

 

[robisbell]

no problem, if you need any recommendations, let me know.