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General discussion

Toasted my CPU, but something else is wrong

Oct 25, 2004 3:12AM PDT

Here's what I've got: AMD 3200XP, Abit AN7 MB, 2-512MB Dual DDR PC3200, ATI Radeon 9200, SATA HD, CDR/RW running Windows XP SP2. Computer ran great for months but was noisy.

To quiet the computer, I replaced the retail fan/HS with a Gigabyte copper 3D cooler. I had to remove the MB to install the new fan/HS. When I reassembled everything and turned on the PSU, the red LED on the MB lit indicating 5v was present on the MB. When I pushed the button on the front of the case to start the computer, nothing happened. I pushed it several times but nothing happened, no fans, no green MB LED (indicating VCC), no case power on light.

So, (the side of the case was still off) I started looking at all the cables making sure everything was connected when suddenly, all the fans started and all the lights came on. This took me by surprise and when I looked at the monitor, Windows was loading. Windows detected new USB hardware (I probably hadn't plugged my USB cables into the same ports) and after a few seconds, Windows said the hardware was installed and ready to go. Then MB Monitor gave me a warning that the CPU temperature had exceeded 75

Discussion is locked

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Re: Toasted my CPU, but something else is wrong
Oct 25, 2004 3:23AM PDT

You didn't mention if you re-used the thermal tape compound or used *new* heatsink compound when you installed new HSF setup. On top of that, did you fully engage the HSF to flatly lay on the cpu? Plus, is you install new heatsink compound did you cleran the cpu free of old compound/tape? AND yes, the AMD cpu will fry if not cooled correctly in 1sec. or less. Plus, is the cpu fan ordinated correctly to "blow onto" the cpu not up and away or what the manufacturer suggests. Check all that and post results. Of course recheck all work again, don't take anything for granted.

good luck -----Willy "Happy

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Re: Toasted my CPU, but something else is wrong
Oct 25, 2004 4:11AM PDT

Each time I installed either of the HSFs, I cleaned the surfaces and applied new Arctic Silver compound. Each time the HSF clips were fully engaged and the HSF seemed firmly attached. I couldn't see under the HSF to verify full contact but when I removed it, the compound had "squished out" to a thin layer as if the HSF had made full contact.

I suspect that the HSF moved (tilted?) after I reinstalled the MB but I didn't notice any movement (the new copper HSF is very heavy).

The fans on the HSF, when they finally started, were turning the right direction, sucking air from both the top and bottom and blowing out through the cooling fins.

I realize the chip is probably toast due to my mistake in believing the HSF was installed properly. What is really puzzling me is why the power doesn't come on immediately when I press the power on button or short the two pins on the MB. What can be causing this? Note that this happened before the CPU was toasted.