PC Hardware A Beginner’s Guide

Troubleshooting the CPU

If a PC’s processor fails, it can only be replaced. However, most problems that appear to

be processor problems are usually a problem with another component. What may show

up as a processor problem is more likely a problem with either the cooling of the processor

or the system (or both), the power supply, or a compatibility issue between the mother-

board and chipset (which would show up after the processor is upgraded).

Here are the most common symptoms that a processor is about to fail:

 The PC will not boot

 The PC does boot, but will not start the operating system

 The PC crashes during startup and if it does boot, crashes frequently

when running applications

 The PC suddenly has POST parity error problems in many devices

 The PC locks up after a few minutes of operation

If you experience any of these systems, check the cooling on the processor and on the

system, clean the inside of the case, and check the motherboard’s power connection.

Chapter 3 provides more information on processors and their environments.

Processor Cooling

If a PC boots without problems but consistently halts or freezes after only a few minutes of

operation, it is likely that the processor is overheating and shutting itself down. To test for

this condition, shut down the PC and power it off. After a few minutes (long enough for the

processor to cool down), cold-start the PC. If the same problem occurs, it is likely the pro

cessorisnotbeingcooledsufficiently.Youmayneedtoaddafanorheatsinktotheprocessor

or add supplemental cooling fans to the system case. If that is not possible, replace the sys-

tem case with one that supports multiple system fans.

(^626) PC Hardware: A Beginner’s Guide
Series Category
1700 Hard disk drive errors
1800 Expansion bus errors
2400 VGA errors
3000 NIC errors
8600 PS/2 mouse errors
Table 24-1. POST Boot Error Codes(continued)