Is my CPU or Memory dead?

[reybie]

Here's a little background info on my troubleshooting problem:

P4, 2.4Ghz that had WinXP pro installed, 512MB memory. Out of the blue, the PC would reboot randomly. I started with safe mode to see if it will not do it anymore trying to rule out a bad driver... no go, still did it. I got a new motherboard and installed it with all the same components, except for the video and sound, the new intel board had this built in.

At power up, the system will load the boot menu to pick from Safe Mode, Normal etc... since the last time it did not show down properly. It doesn't matter what I pick from the options, the system will reboot.

I tried to make the primary boot drive the CD drive and loaded the XP CD to try and reinstall... (last resort). The system prompts to press a key to boot from CD... as soon as it tries the system dies... no reboot. I have to power off or reset to start it back up. I don't have a spare memory stick to test if it's the memory going bad.

Any clues as to what other things I might try? The memory is cheaper to get and try first than a CPU.

Thanks!

 

[techwanabe]

Before you replace parts, make sure you are virus free. Remember the MSblaster virus? The symptom was a rebooting PC.

Ever heard of BOOT PE? It is a utility that lets you boot your PC from an applition (BOOT PE) on the CD and run from there rather than your hard drive. It comes in handy if you have software issues that prevent you from doing anything, like really bad spyware issues or virus's.

 

[reybie]

I doubt it's a virus though. I had already unplugged the HD from the system and tried to boot from CD only but I get the same result. As soon as the system tries to load something, it just restarts.

 

[stevty2889]

If it's actualy powering off, then it is more likely to be a overheating or power supply issue. What do you have for a PSU? What are you temps?

 

[reybie]

I dont have temp numbers right now but a PC that has not been on for hours shouldn't overheat or behave like that in less than 5 minutes after I installed a new motherboard.

The power supply came stock with the case, 300W minimum.

 

[stevty2889]

if the 300w PSU is a generic brand, than it could very likely be the problem. And it could very well overheat very quickly after installing a new motherboard, if the heatsink ins't properly installed..did you use thermal paste?

EDIT: Also, if you suspect the memory, then run memtest..

 

[bobsmith1492]

Reset your bios before doing too much.

 

[reybie]

I'll get facts when I get home later...

Will POST memory test say anything if the memory stick has gone bad? I only have one stick of Corsair 512MB 333Mhz.

CPU is retail Intel 2.4 using stock sink and fan.

No thermal paste used (I have none available at the moment).

I will also reset BIOS and take out battery just in case.

Thanks for the feedback so far...

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: reybie
I'll get facts when I get home later...

Will POST memory test say anything if the memory stick has gone bad? I only have one stick of Corsair 512MB 333Mhz.

Probably not, but memtest86 will.

CPU is retail Intel 2.4 using stock sink and fan.

No thermal paste used (I have none available at the moment).

Ding ding ding! We have a winner!

If you used the stock HSF, it should have a thermal pad on it. Did you remove the backing from it before installation?

You also said you got a new motherboard. If you pulled the stock HSF off the old processor and then stuck it back on, you have to clean it off and reapply thermal compound on the new CPU, or else it will overheat rapidly and shut down after a few minutes.

 

[reybie]

I ran memtest86 for one cycle, took about 15 minutes from an unpowered state (cold).
After running memtest, I checked hardware monitor and the CPU temp was at 114F, this is with the old thermal compound when I moved the CPU from the old motherboard to the new one.

Also, wouldn't the CPU be stressed enough on this Memtest that I can tell if it's the CPU that's causing the reboot?

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: reybie
I ran memtest86 for one cycle, took about 15 minutes from an unpowered state (cold).
After running memtest, I checked hardware monitor and the CPU temp was at 114F, this is with the old thermal compound when I moved the CPU from the old motherboard to the new one.

Also, wouldn't the CPU be stressed enough on this Memtest that I can tell if it's the CPU that's causing the reboot?

Memtest86 won't generate a lot of heat, and you need to set it to run 'all tests' and let it run for a few hours at least to get an accurate assessment. Also, your CPU will cool back off VERY rapidly when you take the load away; you need to monitor it in real time, as with Motherboard Monitor or something in windows.

If you want to crank out a lot of heat, run Prime95's torture tests.

 

[thirdlegstump]

Have you tried rebooting? Sometimes that'll clear up most problems.

 

[Porter21]

heat does sound like the problem in this issue. try buying some arctic silver and/or maybe a new hs/fan. i had that problem a while back and it was due to heat.

 

[reybie]

I'll post back when I get some thermal paste and some other hardware I can use to isolate the problem. Sorry I forgot to check the wattage on the darned PS.

 

[reybie]

Hello!
I'm back again and with some hardware eliminated from the possible problem...
Not heat problem, thermal paste did not help with the reboot loop.
Not memory, I bought a stick and swapped it... same result.

It's got a 350W power supply that's been working for a while, I'll have to go to the store and check out a new one to try and eliminate that as a problem. Does BestBuy carry power supplies? Closest Fry's Electronics here is about 30 miles.

 

[Philippine Mango]

Well if your too lazy then go online and get a PSU (I recommend Antec). Bestbuy PSU are probably crappy and not worth your time.

 

[reybie]

I buy my stuff online but for troubleshooting purposes I'm willing to go to a brick and mortar store for obvious reasons.

 

[reybie]

Sooooo...
I got a hold of a dinky PSU and swapped it with my old one. Hooked up just the bare essentials. It still craps out and reboots. Time to find the receipt for the CPU.

Edit: Just got done talking to Intel support, I'm getting a replacement CPU when they receive my defective one.

 

[reybie]

Received the replacement CPU from Intel, back up and running!