Troubleshooting a processor problems is not an easy
task.
CPU or
processor problems can be related to other components such as video,
memory, or a controller.
Or it could be a support IC on the motherboard.
Scenario:
You start your computer and get the BIOS setup screen. You do not get any
error on the screen just the processor parameters screen.
The main reason that the BIOS went to this screen is there is a problem with
the clock speed of either the processor or the front side bus. Have you been
overclocking your processor? If not then the have you changed the FSB speed for
some reason?
If either of these questions are no, then you may have a processor about to
fail. One way to find out is to open the case, remove the processor from the
socket and then reinstall it, thus reseating the processor, reattach the heat
sink. Power it back up, did it go into the BIOS setup for the processor?
If it goes back into the BIOS processor setup screen try lowering the clock
speed multiplier and restart. If lowering the multiplier results in the system
going back into the BIOS processor setup screen your processor is about to fail.
If it does not go back into the BIOS setup screen but starts then you may
have cleared the problem, keep an eye on it, it still may be
failing.
Another reason for this to happen is heat. If the processor is overheating
because of lack of cooling air or over clocking it will go to the setup screen as
a warning that the processor is running too hot. The thirmistior sensor on the
motherboard will open the BIOS setup screen on restart.
Scenario:
You start your computer, it goes into a startup loop.
Note: There is a setting in some
BIOS to have the BIOS display 'Advanced' settings
on startup. When you select this parameter you will be able to see what the
computer is doing during the initialization phase at startup.
You will see the actual clock speed of your processor and the memory count.
This will increase the startup sequence by about ten seconds.
If the computer is in a loop because of the clock speed or a processor
problem you will see the processor clock speed then the computer will restart.
It is at this time you need to press the correct keys to get into the system
BIOS. From there you can correct the clock speed for the processor.
Most processor problems
will be:
A) Slow response when doing heavy computing tasks. Such as games, spread
sheet calculations, graphics manipulations, viewing movies, copying large files.
B) Computer hangs for no apparent reason when light computer operations are
occurring.
C) Computer dumps [crashes] frequently.
D) Write to disk fails frequently.
Note: These problems will also
occur when a hard drive is full or is
failing. Check the space on the hard drive before trouble shooting the
processor.
You may also want to take into consideration the age of the processor and
motherboard, is it time to upgrade?
This site contains a lot of information. As
with any publication not all information is available due to space, time, or
subject constraints.
If you have a question that you did not find the answer
on this web site you a can
ask your question here and we will endeavor to get you the most up to date
answer possible!
