System crash at BIOS

[Harish]

Hey,

I have a MSI K7GN2 with 256 MB DDR 2100 and an Althlon XP 1600+

My problem is that with everything stripped except for CPU, RAM and VGA connected I get the post screen but shortly after (either while reading memory or trying to get to the BIOS) the system crashes. It does so at different points and sometimes does not even initialize the VGA. I have replaced the board and RAM but no luck. Any ideas, off the top of my head i felt that it was a heat issue.

What does everyone think?

Thanks!

 

[mechBgon]

Maybe your heatsink is reversed? The stepped end of the heatsink's base must go at the solid-plastic end of the CPU socket, and the heatsink clip's pressure point must be over the CPU core too. Illustrated guide here may help show what to look for.

Also, what is your power supply brand and model, and what brand of RAM?

 

[Harish]

Yeah i checked to make sure that the Heatsink fits fine. The powersupply is rated at 300Watts. Doesnt seem like an issue there. DO you think that the CPU could be damanged?

 

[Woody419]

Overheating is a possibility, the cpu has a fan, right? And you used thermal paste? Take the mobo out of the case and try to boot, it could be shorting out on a piece of metal. Keyboard and mouse plugged in? Try a new power supply if all else fails.

 

[Harish]

Okay this may seem really stupid. But does the Heatsink fan blow air towards or away from the CPU?

 

[mechBgon]

That could be (faulty CPU, I mean). Also, some power supplies don't seem to live up to their wattage ratings, or maybe yours is just wearing out, so if you have any other 300W power supplies you could test with, that might be a good troubleshooting step What brand of RAM are you using, by the way?

 

[farmercal]

Harish on most heat sinks it is recommended that you position the fan blowing on the CPU but it will work either way just a difference in CPU temperature. I have an AX-7 and I have it pulling air off the CPU and get good results with that configuration (but it is not the norm).

 

[farmercal]

Harish on most heat sinks it is recommended that you position the fan blowing on the CPU but it will work either way just a difference in CPU temperature. I have an AX-7 and I have it pulling air off the CPU and get good results with that configuration (but it is not the norm).

 

[Harish]

OOOOOOOppps! I forgot the thermal paste!! Could this be the problem?

 

[DieHardware]

Have you tried a different videocard? Tried the RAM in a different slot?

 

[Harish]

bump

 

[thorin]

Originally posted by: Harish
OOOOOOOppps! I forgot the thermal paste!! Could this be the problem?

It's a problem if the HSF doesn't have one of those little phase change pads on it.

Thorin