Random lock ups pre/post POST

[karpodiem]

So earlier this afternoon my computer locked up while I was browsing the internet. Mouse completely froze, no response from ctrl+alt+dlt, nothing. Just a static image on the screen from what I was doing last.

Knowing that it's been a couple months since I last cleaned out the dust from my computer, I went to the hardware store and bought some compressed air. Cleaned everything out, including the PSU fans (I had initially suspected the PSU). Turn the computer back on. Gets to Windows, locks up again after 5 seconds. Restart the computer, locks up as it's going through the boot up. Prior to this, my computer had been perfectly functional for about 2 years.

Based on a rudimentary search, I've narrowed the problem down to a couple things

1) Bad PSU - Ruled out. Bought a new OCZ 500W PSU @ Microcenter, still locks up.

2) Bad motherboard - Capacitors might be toast, however a visual inspection doesn't reveal anything remarkable.

3) Bad RAM? - Haven't tested this out yet.

4) Mobo northbridge overheating? - I've thought about this for the last 15min. My EVGA 8800GTS gives literally 1cm between it and and the small fan that cools the northbridge. Not much circulation there at all, however I believe the fan spins on bootup.


Can't get any temps/voltage readings for you guys since I can't get Windows/Bios long enough to record stuff down.

Specs are below:

AMD Athlon X2 4400+
DFI LanParty NForce 4 Ultra
EVGA 8800 GTS 320MB
4x512 sticks of PC3200
2x Western Digital Hard Drives w/160GB capacity
500W OCZ PSU

Otherwise, I might just build a new computer tomorrow if I can't resolve this.

 

[robisbell]

well, since you did not cover the detail of how dirty it was, the damage may have already been done, also, when you clean,you should remove the cpu HSF give a good dusting and clean all the old thermal past from it and the cpu and re-apply new.

doubtful it's ram, probably thermal damage, more than likely. only option then id to hope the cpu, and ram and video card are okay, and look for a replacement that can use them all.

 

[karpodiem]

Originally posted by: robisbell
well, since you did not cover the detail of how dirty it was, the damage may have already been done, also, when you clean,you should remove the cpu HSF give a good dusting and clean all the old thermal past from it and the cpu and re-apply new.

doubtful it's ram, probably thermal damage, more than likely. only option then id to hope the cpu, and ram and video card are okay, and look for a replacement that can use them all.

There was a fair amount of dust; somewhere between minor and a lot.