could the CPU be the cause of lock ups under heavy load?

[ty1er]

Problems:

Prime95 will not run on my PC.

Im using Prime95 just to solve for primes, im not running the torture tests. As you know before you can start solving for primes the application will run though a series of tests. Well every time the program test my system i instanly get "Fatal Error, Possible hardware problem......"

Also i have notice that if i run a application that stresses the system like VirualDub to encode into Xvid my system will do a hard lock.

I have ran Memtest+ for 4 hours. No errors.
I have also tried each individual stick of ram. they all tested fine.

this happen with my older mobo and my new asus a7n8x-x, so im sure that its not my mobo.

I have also tried to monitor the votages of the system using asus probe when it is stressed. Nothing was out of the spec.

So is it possible to have a CPU die over time?
is there a way to only test the CPU to find out if in fact it is the problem?

I just install a new mobo Asus A7N8x-x
AMD 2600+xp 133fsb
1gb PC 2100
350watt enermax PS

 

[jackschmittusa]

Does your case have adaquate ventilation? If the memory is good, it sounds like a thermal problem - cpu, northbridge chipset, even the vid card.

 

[ty1er]

yes,the cpu has good ventilation.

the temp for the CPU never rises about 50degess C.



I still have this thought in my mind.. .. i find it very strange that Prime95 fails the self test instantly.
Im thinking that if it was a heat problem it would fail after time, not right away.

 

[Kipper]

That's a bit of a low-wattage PSU for the system, although you say it could be putting out the right voltages...I'm still suspicious.

Double-check PSU.

 

[corkyg]

It is also possible that Prime95 will not run in XP (assume you are running XP.) You can force XP to handle it as a Win95 program. Go to Start, Programs, and highlight the Prime95 exe file. Then right click, and in Properties, go to Compatibility and check the box to tell XP to run as a Win95 program.