Dead computer! Is it the CPU or MB

My second computer ( wife's ) is a no name model that I built myself. It has a 1700 Mhz AMD K7 type processor on a Elite K7S5A Mb. It has two banks of installed Sdram memory; total 1 Gig and two Hd's.

The Computer was running okay until I noticed that the Cpu seemed to be running hot as it showed up to 60 Degrees at times. I had problems before with it getting hot and shutting down; I therefore changed the fan and that corrected that problem at that time. Now; aprox. 1 year later; it seemed to be doing the same thing; I therefore decided to check the fan and it appeared that one blade was broken and that it was not running up to par. I purchased a new one that came with a heat sink. I changed the old with the new. Fired up the computer; it ran for about 15 seconds and shut down. Now; I get nothing. When I turn it on; the fan doesn't even run. I tried a different power supply and that did not change anything. When I inserted the new fan/sink; I did not apply any heat transfer compound as I was unaware that was required. Found out later from a teck.

I purchased a new and improved Compaq computer as wify did not want to be without. I am not in a bind. I'm just looking at this once good old reliable computer and I'm wondering if I can resurrect it. Just wondering what has to be fixed/replaced.

There is more to this story; as this little incident turned into two weeks of hell. But I'll leave that for another day.

My question is; did I fry the CPU? Did I fry the MB?

 

Sounds like the CPU is fried. If no heatsink compound was applied beforehand then the CPU got too hot and burned out. According to some I have talked to this only takes a few seconds.

 

It is quite probably the CPU, but you could not discount that there has been damage to the motherboard as well (and it may come down to that it "just does not work the same as it used to "). I would price a new CPU + motherboard combination, the CPU compatible with the old motherboard. Try the CPU in the old motherboard, if it was back to normal, fine. If it plays up, the new motherboard (and faster? CPU) will make a good upgrade for the whole system. (then you can return the Compaq )

Matt

 

That is what my post is all about. I had intended on upgrading the CPU before this problem. Now; I would like to do the same; upgrade the CPU; however; I'm afraid that it could be the MB that may be the problem.

Do you know what a computer will/ will not do when the CPU is fried. Can it boot into the Bios or will it just sit there and do nothing. The same question goes for the MB. I've gone through a few computers in my day; however; I've never had a CPU or a MB go; so I don't know the answere to those questions.

I just may try a CPU first. If that fails; then I can try a MB.

 

Theslaz, I haven't smoked any CPUs either in my time (most of my research has probably been due to caution ). I have not seen many definitive answers to your question. You may wish to search a few overclockers forums (they're experts on deep fried CPU ). It may depend on how badly it went "zzsssttt" (were there overloads/shorts back to the motherboard?).

It may be a little risky putting a brand new CPU into a questionable motherboard, but I have not heard of any. Although, a motherboard is priced between, say, one-third to three-quarters the cost of a CPU, so you may not want to take a risk.

Some...errr...things, you may want to take them or leave them:
If you try a new CPU you may have to reset the CMOS (and I wonder (dream?) if putting some thermal compound on and resetting the CMOS may not be worth a try in your current situation...read your motherboard manual about resetting the CMOS and read the tutorials at www.arcticsilver.com for compound installation instructions).
I have not tried it...take out the CPU and start the machine. If you get POST beeps it is still alive and kicking. (I might disconnect everything from the motherboard first...errr...because I am cautious, NOT "chicken" )

You will have to make the decisions. There may be risk involved or there might not (and probably not), I could not say for certain, but this is the reasoning I would take.

Matt

 

Having experienced both fried CPU's and fried mobo's, it can be difficult distinguishing betwen the two. Under most circumstances it is more difficult to fry a processor but anything is possible. I like mattman concept to try the old CPU and the old mobo with a nice fresh coat of heatsink compound and try resetting CMOS to see if you can boot. Otherwise my approach would include trying first, a different CPU and if no go, then a different mobo. A shop or small system builder may be able to save you a couple of bucks if they have a compatable CPU they'd be willing to slap on there just to test your system. Then again, you'd probably pay $50-75 for that assessment so it may be better just to buy a replacement CPU and MoBo and then do your own testing and if you wind up with 2 good mobo's or two good CPU's, sell what you don't want on ebay and recoup some of your investment.

 

Thanks! Will try what you suggested. Right now I have nothing to lose and a lot to gain ( experience ). Will have to read up on how to reset the Cmos.