Computer Will Not Boot - No Beeps

[JohnDubya]

Ok, here's the deal. I was rendering a video through Pinnacle Studio 8, and I walked in the other room. I heard a beep like the computer had restarted and completed the POST check. I went in and looked at the screen, and it had an error message (I don't remember exactly...something about a hardware error or something). It said to continue, press F1 or to go to setup, press Del. So I hit Del and looked around in the BIOS setup. I finally got to the temperatures and noticed my processor was at about 185 degrees F. I'm assuming this is too hot. But my ASUS MB has COP, so I'm hoping that saved the processor. Anyway, I turned off the computer for awhile to let it cool, and when I tried to turn it on again, it did nothing. The MB light is on, the fans spin fine, the HD spins up, but no beeps or anything further. I tried reseating the memory, taking out all expansion cards, removing IDE cables. I took off the heat sink and looked at the processor, and it didn't look burned or anything. I also tried clearing the CMOS, but that didn't work either. I'm at a loss. What do you guys think this is? Could my CPU be fried even though it doesn't look fried and since my MB has overheating protection?

 

[Harvey]

185 F = 85 C. Since my 1800+ Tbred, o/c'd to 2 GHz (2400+ spec) runs under 40 C on the hottest summer day, I'd say that sounds pretty toasty.

If you want to try again, make sure you're using a very thin coat of thermal compound. You can also try your CPU in another board or another CPU in yours.

 

[JohnDubya]

The processor already had thermal grease on it. I have another tube of Arctic Silver, but I have no idea how to apply it. Can I just put a dab on the main little processor rectangle? Or do I have to clean everything off first? Could that fix the problem anyway?

 

[amdskip]

You must have your heatstink mounted backwords or something. Do not just add artic silver. That will make a mess. I would triple check the mounting of your heatsink and use artic silver insted of the stuff that came with the processor.

 

[JohnDubya]

My heatsink has not moved since I installed it last year, so I don't think that is the problem.

So what do I do now that the computer won't start at all? Is it definitely the processor?

 

[mechBgon]

1) is the heatsink positioned like in this picture (yes = )

2) does its fan run and remain running?

3) is it reasonably free of dust buildup?

 

[JohnDubya]

Yes, the heatsink is positioned like that. The computer had been running fine, and I had not touched it in over 6 months, so it was nothing I did that made the CPU burn up. The only thing differently that I did was render that video.

The fan runs and stays running and is free of dust.

I tried a new stick of RAM today, still with no luck. I'm guessing it must be the CPU for sure? Anything to try before having to buy a new CPU?

 

[Paperlantern]

Well i hate to sound like old mechBgon there, but he knows his stuff, and i agree with him 100% everytime he asks about a good quality PSU, its very possible that has popped on you, the CPU tempuratures prior to the last shut down were awful high though, the voltage regulator on the board could have been fubared, or the power outputs on the PSU itself are wonky. Like someone said previously, try the cpu in another board, or another cpu in your board to rule that out. It could be any number of things, its jsut a process of eliminating what its not, the processor or the PSU make the most sense to start with given the behavior of the machine before the malfunction

 

[JohnDubya]

Well, I have an Antec PS, so I hope that's not the problem. It's a 250 watt PS, and I don't have very much running on the machine. I guess I'll try to find another processor to try in my machine. Thanks for all the help, guys!