system fail cpu test

[lockmac]

Hey guys.
Ok, basically, my system is telling me that the 'system failed cpu test. My system was working fine last night, turned it on this morning and was greeted by the voice telling me this. I took the CPU out, sorta cleaned off the AS5 a bit, then replaced, but no go. I did the same again, took it out and replaced and then it worked. So I then replaced the HSF, but then it still wouldnt work. I have no idea why. It is a 130nm 3500+ on an Asus A8V motherboard. I do no overclocking whatsoever.

Last night however, I did run the CPU without a HSF, i know dumb move on my part, and the system did shut itself down after about 10 seconds, most likely because of the temperature it was reaching. But after that, the system was fine, working with normal temperatures, and I was using it for a good couple of hours before I went to bed.

Could someone please suggest what I should do. Should I take it back or what?

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks guys

 

[XooooX]

I had this problem with an Asus k8v s754 board. Basically theres no way to fix it and asus doesnt have any support for it. At least 4 months ago they didn't, might wanna check now. Anyways the way i fixed it was to pop in an old soundcard and plug into that instead of onboard sound, that stopped the annoying message.

 

[lockmac]

Ok. I dont have a soundcard, but I dont see how that would help, i mean it obviously helped out, but it seems weird that a CPU test fail would be sound related.

Im thinking I might RMA it, and hopefull pick myself up a 90nm CPU

 

[MadEye2]

It's a long shot but setting the BIOS's jumper battery so it'll restore the BIOS to it's default settings might help.

 

[lockmac]

One step ahead of ya. Already tried that, but no go .

 

[MadEye2]

You might have to leave the jumper set like that for a 3 or 4 hours and have the PC unplugged. I can't see it making any difference though, frankly. Can get into the BIOS at all? I suppose you've tried it but disabling any onboard sound, lan or gfx chips might give it a wake up slap. If there's any jumpers on there that disable some features try those, and disconnect all the drives you have. All these are -clutchingatstraws- ideas but sometimes they work.

 

[lockmac]

Nah I cant get into the BIOS at all, nothing appears on the screen whatsoever. I cant disable anything as I cant get into the BIOS, but im sure everything else is working. Sounds like I might have to take it back.
It says in the manual, that if you hear that message, you should 1. make sure the CPU is seated properly, and 2. Contact ASUS, it doesnt say anything else about resolving the problem

 

[MadEye2]

I don't suppose you happen to have any spare CPUs lying around to test do ya? Someone here with far more experience will probably know what's going on, but I think they're all drunk at the moment.

 

[lockmac]

Nope, its my only A64 system. I had it going just before once again, but then I put the HSF on, and then same problem

 

[XooooX]

Well i was out of options and tried the card, and it fixed it. The message was still there when i plugged my speakers into the onboard sound port, but it was gone when i plugged it into the soundcard so i kept using that and i was fine.

 

[lockmac]

Yep, but my system will not boot. Even if the message doesnt come up, it still thinks that the CPU is bad right? So that would prevent it from booting i think

 

[lockmac]

Ok I think I have fixed it. What I did, i noticed that there was some AS5 connecting two pins together, and from what I read in these forums, AS5 conducts. It was obviously joining the two pins and shorting the CPU.

Thanks everyone for their attempt in helping me though

 

[Duvie]

It was an A64 with an IHS...How the hell did you get AS on the underside and enough of it to bridge two pins??? make sure it is not done in the sockets....

 

[Duvie]

Heck erase this post...We finally got monarch to see voiding warranty for AS5 use on A64's was foolish...they read this and they may change there mind....

 

[lockmac]

I had recently just put on some AS5 onto the pins, but I did it incorrectly i believe. I put a lot on, and spread it over the whole CPU, and it was a pretty thick layer, dumb move on my part. If it is in the socket, theres not really much I can do right now though, all is good though it seems, working without a hitch.

 

[Duvie]

Why would you put AS5 onto the pins??? I dont get it...

 

[Zebo]

Alright I had a drink.. First no more "dumb moves" on your part. Running CPU with no HSF is a big no no. Also putting AS5 "all over CPU" and "bridging pins" is bad too.

All you need is a very thin layer. Picture a piece of alumium foils thinkness..try and apply that level of thickness to just CPU/IHS core which is the BIG nickle plated copper thingy on the opposite side of where pins are.

Also, say you make a mistake, AS5 comes off really easy with rubbing alcohol. Use a tooth brush for pin area... Wait till everything drys (10 mintues max) and start over.

 

[lockmac]

Originally posted by: lockmac
I had recently just put on some AS5 onto the pins, but I did it incorrectly i believe. I put a lot on, and spread it over the whole CPU, and it was a pretty thick layer, dumb move on my part. If it is in the socket, theres not really much I can do right now though, all is good though it seems, working without a hitch.

That was actually meant to read 'I had recently just put on some AS5 onto the CPU' as apposed to putting it on the pins. Because I had put too much on, I think when it was squashed down with the HSF, the excess AS5 had got onto the pins. Obviously this was a mistake, as I do know enough that putting AS5 on the pins is plain right stupid.

The CPU seems to be running fine now. I did a CPU burn test, and all was good, not a single error. There is a bit left on a few of the pins though, but they dont seem to be causing any problems. Ill still get rid of it though with the toothbrush method. Thanks

 

[MadEye2]

Did you try using the AS5 without the HFS on your CPU? If it that's the case the AS5 could have melted and glooped out all over the place. I thought that stuff was supposed to be a near enough perfect electrical insulator.