Freezing during POST - is my CPU dead?

[zthoboslayer]

1. Overview of the problem
   Freezes during the first few tests of the POST.
   
2. Full description of the problem and symptoms
   About two weeks ago I ordered a full set of parts from newegg and assembled everything as usual (I've been building computers on and off for the past four or five years.) Upon the first boot, the computer froze during the POST.
   
   I get about three lines into the POST - the last line before freezing is "Initializing USB controller... DONE." If I have only one stick of ram in, I get "2048MB.. OK" after that, but then it just freezes.
   
   I have isolated the problem to either the motherboard, memory, or CPU - since the POST reported my CPU, I concluded that it must have been the motherboard, and I RMA'd that sucker. A week later, new motherboard in, I get the exact same problem. Logically, my next step was the ram, because it wasn't POSTing the "4096MB." Replaced that too.
   
   I strongly suspect a dead CPU.
   
   I would REALLY like to fix this without RMA'ing my CPU. Any ideas, anyone?
   
   Thank you in advance.
   
   
3. Did it work normally at one time, or has the problem always existed?
   No. It has never been past the fetal stages of POST.
   
   
   
4. Is the problem consistent and repeatable, or entirely random, or semi-random?
   Consistent and repeatable - same freeze, same place.
   
   
5. I already tried these steps:
   Clearing the CMOS has no effect. Neither does removing the hard drive, switching to onboard video, and removing the PCI cards. I even remove the motherboard from the case and set it on my own standoffs on my desk just in case it is somehow shorting out at some point during the post. I have also replaced both the motherboard and RAM to no effect.
   
6. My software:
   • Windows XP Professional Edition with SP3
   • Antivirus n/a
   • Firewall n/a
   
   
7. My hardware
   • Motherboard: MSI G31M3 (Micro-ATX)
   • CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 / Stock Fan / Arctic Silver V
   • Video: ASUS TOP HD4850 512MB
   • RAM: Corsair 4GB (2GBx2) PC6400 TwinX 5-5-5-18
   • PSU: Antec NeoPower 550W
   • HDD: Western Digital 160GB 7200RPM EIDE

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[Atheus]

Hi.

The fact it freezes right on or after the memory test indicates the memory or mobo as you said - did you replace both sticks or are you running with just one of the old ones? I had to replace both sticks once after replacing every single other component first, not believing I could have got 2 duds in one box.

I can only think two other things. You obviously know what you're doing, but are you sure you set up the board right? With all the various power connectors? Or it could concievably be the PSU - have you got on old one to try with a minimal system?

After that I think you're left with the processor unfortunately.

 

[zthoboslayer]

I replaced both sticks of Corsair with a new set of Crucial to no effect. I'll try replacing the PSU with this old 300w one I have laying around. I've looked over and over and I know that I have everything set up correctly.. :/

The weird thing is that my CPU POSTs, so I don't know why that would be preventing me from booting.

The only thing different about this build is the fact that it's a micro-ATX motherboard, something I've never worked with. Is there some special, magical feature on Micro-ATX boards that I'm not aware of that could be conceivably be fucking me over?

 

[Atheus]

Nah they're the same thing only smaller.

The thing is, a dead Intel CPU is really rare - they test those things to death in the factory. You wouldn't want to buy another one and have the same problem. Can you go to the shop you bought it from with your system and have them check it with a known good one? Or maybe use a friend's CPU? After you make sure the PSU is good of course, or you might fry it.

 

[zthoboslayer]

Yeah, I really don't want to believe the cpu itself is dead - the well-known reliability you mention, and the fact that it shows up on POST without any problems. I bought all the parts online, so unfortunately going to a shop is out of the picture.

I might try my friend's core 2 duo.. but he might be hesitant to lend his cpu to my.. rather dubious system.

 

[zthoboslayer]

I was told that my motherboard (MSI G31M3) may not be compatible out of the factory with the Intel E8400 CPU - how would I go about flashing/upgrading the BIOS to v1.2 (the compatible version) without being able to get into the BIOS? Is it even possible?

 

[Atheus]

Possible? Yea. Practical? Probably not. You would need to hot swap the chip in another identical board. Or you could find a compatible CPU and use that to you get into BIOS.

Realistically you might end up buying another board. One of the hazards of building your own systems I guess - I've spent loads of money working through problems like this. On the plus side you now have nearly another whole system from the parts you bought as replacements