Help! CPU or and MOBO dead? HELP HELP HELP

[Patrizio]

Help - First time try to build my own computer -- HELP

I read all the instructions carefully, installed the CPU (Athlon XP 1800 retail with approved heatsink.) and RAM and installed the motherboard into the Antec 300w box.

(1) How does one know if the heatsink is installed properly? (As far as I could tell, the side of the heatsink was not touching the raised side of the cpu holder. ) With an Epox 8rda+ it's hard to see if it is placed correctly.

(2) When I installed the HSF I was a little concerned, because:

(a) I had to apply relatively modest preassure; --I've read that tremendous pressure is needed--
(b) the heatsink did not seem to be parallel to the base; it appeared --maybe it was my immagination-- to be leaning slightly forward.

(2) How can one know that the clip preassure is direcly over the die? (I find it had to see the clip & die ideal preassure point.)

I installed my graphics card and turned on the computer. There was an alert on the screen: "Warning: Your CPU size has changed." The post code was "7F".

I rebooted and nothing happened: The monitor was blank. (I checked the monitor on my other computer and it was ok.) The post code was a "reserved" code... I think "26". The computer fan and the heatsink fan were running. I rebooted: Nothing! NADA!

I pulled the CPU and it "looked" ok....

(3) How can I tell if the CPU is dead?

(4) When the CPU dies/shorts out does it damage the motherboard?

(5) How can I tell if the motherboard is dead/damaged?

I am getting a replacement CPU... but urgently need to know if I need to return the MOBO for replacement.

Any suggestions, comments, etc. are most welcome.

Thanks.

 

[T3C]

to me it sounds like you had the heatsink on there just fine, as long as you get it clipped on both sides you should be fine, it doesnt always line up exactly perfect. i noticed the same thing when i first started building PC's. It sounds to me like you may have a bad board or even Video card. But i really dont think that it is the cpu. It almost sounds like the board you got was used if you recieved a "CPU size has changed" on the first boot up. you only get that after another processor has been installed



-CYBPNK

 

[minendo]

Try reinstalling everything and clearing the cmos with the jumper located right by the mobo battery. After clearing the cmos attempt to boot again. I have a 8rda which was giving me the 7F code and I could not figure out what it was. Turns out my cmos needed to be cleared and then it booted fine. However, I believe the 7F code is related to a video card problem, but I have not found any details on that.

The only reason I believe 7F is related to video card is because I kept receiving that error and my video card eventually died. At first it was acting up by splitting the boot screen in half, kept flashing the boot screen, etc. Finally I found out it had major problems when trying to run DVI above 640x480.

 

[mechBgon]

Please give us a full parts list of your computer, including the power supply. Details

As for the heatsink, if you put the stepped end of the 'sink over the raised plastic end of the CPU socket, everything's taken care of. But if you then remove it, you have used up your one-use-only thermal pad and have to get another one or switch to thermal grease after removing all of the used-up thermal pad.

 

[NokiaDude]

Check around the clip for gouges in the motherboard. If you find any or even a speck, you've killed it.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: NokiaDude
Check around the clip for gouges in the motherboard. If you find any or even a speck, you've killed it.

Not always true.