Falling Vcore then lockup

[ctucker]

I have an MSI Pro-2A and 1GHz T-bird.

My computer crashed a while back during operation, then it wouldn't boot up properly after that. It locks up anywhere from the video card displaying its info to MS Scandisk (if it even comes on.. 50% of the time, just a black screen).

Anyway, I've ruled out the CPU (I RMA'd it, and it's still doing the same thing). I watched the voltage via BIOS and this is what it did. The Vcore slowly went from about 1.5V to 1.29V then it locked up. All the other voltages stayed the same. Does this sound like a motherboard problem or a power supply problem?

Thanks.

Edit: Will running at a low Vcore damage my CPU? The company I RMA'd it to said the CPU was in fact damaged (even though my computer is still doing exact same thing)

 

[baldy]

I would tend to lean towards the P/S.

However, if a major explosion occurred, then you probably have registry problems galore too. If you did a registry backup, piece o cake, if not, an overinstall of the OS (No Reformat)should bring things back to normal, then you have to apply your personal tweaks again.

What is the wattage of your present P/S????

baldy

 

[Boonesmi]

i dont think running a low vcore will damage the cpu(i might be wrong), but it will sure make it unstable.

my first guess would be the thing you asked about, i would guess powersupply

 

[The_Lurker]

<< i dont think running a low vcore will damage the cpu(i might be wrong), but it will sure make it unstable.

my first guess would be the thing you asked about, i would guess powersupply >>



Yeah, running at a lower vcore shouldn't damage the CPu. If it did, it wouldn't make sense at all. It's like saying running your CPU at a lower temperature would damage it. At least that's my thinking, anybody correct me on that?

 

[ctucker]

I have a 300W AMD approved p/s. I was thinking maybe the motherboard wasn't regulating the vcore correctly (possible?). I *HOPE* it's just the p/s that's messed up. Well, either way, I'm going to have to spend $50 or $100

 

[rogue1979]

It is either the power supply or the motherboard, change the power supply first, it's cheaper and it never hurts to have an extra if it is the motherboard. Under voltage will not damage the cpu at all.

 

[Killrose]

You probably need a new power supply. If you had been able to look at your 12+/5+ lines, you would have seen them well below thier rated voltages, and they are regulated by the power supply and not the motherboard.

Maybe try under clocking the CPU with a lower multiplier and see what happens. You might be able to look at your supply voltages then.

 

[ctucker]

My 12/5 voltages were within .1 of 12/5
The vcore is the only thing that was slowly going down, the lockup.

 

[WarCon]

Kinda sounds like the voltage regulators on the motherboard to me or one of the components (capacitor). I would take a real close look in the regulator section of you mobo. It might show the damage, then you can know for sure. In your bios, does the 3.3 voltage drop? If its not then its probably the mobo.

 

[ctucker]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention: The power button that is on the case no longer works. The only way to turn the computer on and off is by the switch on the power supply. Is this a sign of damaged CPU or motherboard?

Edit: The 3.3V is rock solid. One of the 5V is 4.90, but steady. The VCore drops from 1.5V to 1.28V in about 30 seconds, then it locks at around 1.3V. Isn't it supposed to be set at 1.75V anyway?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Courtland]

thats odd, I thought only the mboard could send the power signal to turn on the psu on atx boards, maybe im wrong though...

 

[ctucker]

I think I'm going to go ahead and get another motherboard. Hehe, I think I may even stick with MSI and get the K7T Turbo (is that a bad idea?)