Could my CPU be dead?

[jamie3009]

Hi

My computer just switched off a couple of weeks ago and would not turn on again, totally dead. I checked with another PSU and RAM and it was still dead. Following this, i replaced the motherboard and rebuilt the system. Again it was dead even with the new motherboard. I tried a different PSU and different RAM and it was still dead. I think the motherboard is ok as I plugged the hdd led into the jumper for the power switch and it lit up. Could my CPU be dead as Im lost as to what else it could be? The computer just doesnt respond to the power switch or anything. no fans, nothing. Any advice would be appriciated

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

What PSU was it, when the computer first broke ? (If it was a very poor quality one, it's conceivable that it over loaded (esp voltage) the computer (or something), blowing stuff up.

Was it being overclocked, just before it broke ? (and if it was overclocked, did you go mad with the cpu voltage ?).

It would be interesting to know what Cpu/motherboard it was ?

When you test the cpu, it's best to try the motherboard with the bare minimum needed to test the cpu, removing everything else, such as video cards (assuming on board video available instead) etc, as if some other device/hardware has gone short-circuit/bust, it could stop the motherboard from booting up.

EDIT: Also there is a method of attempting to start a motherboard by connecting a pin somewhere, but offhand, I can't remember the method. It needs doing if you think the power switch itself is faulty.

 

[jamie3009]

Hi. It was a jeantech 400W power supply running a pentium D 915 (not overclocked) on a Gigabyte G41M ES2L with 4GB Ram. I have replaced the motherboard with a G41M Combo. I have a palit Geforce GT240 graphics card and have tried the pc with this connected and disconnected with no difference.

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

To make sure that the front panel power switch is NOT to blame, you can test it as follows:
Find the 2 pins, where you plug in the front panel power switch (on the motherboard), and briefly short them out (VERY CAREFULLY) with a screw driver.
If it starts up, then the switch or wire is faulty (in your case), if it still does not start, then it is something else.

The power supply you mentioned, does not sound like the best, to me. But internet searches seems to say it is reasonable.
I prefer well known, quality brands, such as Antec, Corsair etc.

 

[Zap]

running a pentium D 915 (not overclocked) on a Gigabyte G41M ES2L with 4GB Ram. I have replaced the motherboard with a G41M Combo.

Gigabyte GA-G41M-ES2L CPU support list includes Pentium D 915.

Gigabyte GA-G41M-Combo CPU support list does not include Pentium D 915, nor any other "Presler" chip, though strangely still supports a few "Prescott."

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

For a final test, make sure that everything is disconnected from the motherboard, not just the video card, but also hard disk(s), dvd drives, floppies, etc.
Just leave it connect to power (mobo power connected), case power switch and have memory installed, but NO video card (already tried), and see if it wants to switch on.

If the above still produces NO results, and you have tried the screwdriver test above, then it's probably worth trying another cpu.

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

Gigabyte GA-G41M-ES2L CPU support list includes Pentium D 915.

Gigabyte GA-G41M-Combo CPU support list does not include Pentium D 915, nor any other "Presler" chip, though strangely still supports a few "Prescott."

Well spotted. Sorry I missed that.
Usually if it is NOT on the support list, it is NOT supported, so this is likely to be the problem. (But very rarely, something is supported, but not mentioned).

 

[crashtech]

never mind...