Boot failure
 

While playing a game I noticed a small freeze every 10 or so seconds (this freeze was very short, under 0.5 seconds). After the game I went to restart the computer hoping the problem would go away. The problem is the computer won't start up. It doesn't even reach the bios.

The post error I get is 'system failed CPU test', so I thought this was a CPU problem especially as something might have gone wrong because of the large amount of dust in the hs/f (it was also a moderatley hot day here in Australia). Today I borrowed my friends spare socket 478 cpu (mine is a 2.8C) to test it out, thing is I get the same error.

I'm thinking this is a Motherboard or Bios problem, I've tried resetting the cmos numerous times but had no success in fixing anything. When I turn on the computer everything turns on, the motherboard is getting power, it just won't ever reach the Bios (monitor stays in stand by mode). Any ideas as what is the cause of the problem? I will most likely buy a new motherboard or a barebones shuttle pc later this week.

Another culprit, other than the cpu or motherboard may be your power supply. Ideally you should check the bios to see if your 3.3, 5, and 12 V rails are close to spec, possibly you could disconnect everything but the bare essentials from the power supply to see if you could get to the bios (especially if it is a power issue).

Have you recently swapped hardware into/out of the machine?

I agree with Neo about the PSU. I'd try a different PSU first, then try a different motherboard. I'm a freak, so after that I'd try every single other piece of hardware in the PC until I find what's causing it. It sounds to me like you have a PSU or motherboard problem though.

-Lasereth

Unplug every single thing from the pc, hard drives, cd-roms, pci cards, etc. Everything except for cpu, memory, powersupply, and video card. Boot it his way and see if you get a problem (i'm sure you still will since i cant see how it oculd be those other parts, but it's always the best way to start). Then one by one switch those parts out until it works, PSU first because I suspect it's either that or the motherboard. Good luck!

Also agree that it may be something else besides the actualt CPU, and the PSU is easy and cheap to swap out and try.

I did know a guy who got the same message and actually did fry his CPU, but he was also overclocking and did not have adequate cooling, and when he replaced the processor with a new out-of-the-box unit, it sis not work, and he figures he may have damages some of the connectors on the cpu socket with the heat, basically making his mainboard a piece of art.

Just thought I'd throw this into the mix...

Peace,

Pierre

Ok so I took your advice and unplugged the psu to harddrive and cd drive connections and it booted into the bios. I then connected everything again and now it's working fine. Still at a loss at what was wrong in the first place. Might be a dodgy PSU wire.

PSU might be dying, if it can't supply enough power to all the componetents perhaps it wasn't getting any to the CPU. Unplugging a cd-rom or hard drive would mean that power could go to the motherboard/cpu so it'd boot. Not sure why when you plug them back in it'll boot again, but I'd replace the PSU anyways just incase. A faulty PSU can give you all sorta of trouble and destroy components, and it's a relatively cheap fix.