I installed a new heatsink and now computer won't post.

I removed my old AX-7 heatsink to upgrade to the SI-97A. Before I removed the AX-7 I ran prime for a half hour to see what temp it hit. (Diode hit 59c !) I then removed the AX-7 and installed the SI-97A. Everything seemed fine but when I powered it up it didn't post. I then resest the cmos to eliminate that as a possible problem and it still wouldn't post. It basically powers up, all the fans turn on, the drives all work but it never posts. I tried everything I can think of but still nothing. I then removed the cpu entirely to see what would happen if I tried to power up with no cpu installed. It did the exact same thing as when the cpu and heatsink was installed, nothing! I then reinstalled the cpu and heatsink and removed the ram. Just to see if it did anything different but it didn't. So I reinstalled everything, removed the battery and reset the cmos again but still nothing.

I have a bad feeling my cpu is fried! How or why I have no idea! It worked 20 minutes before I installed the new heatsink. Maybe I cracked the core removing the AX-7. I doubt the SI-97A cracked it because it is lighter and it came with a shim that I installed. The core doesn't look cracked but then again I don't know if a cracked core is visible.

Could it be something else? I have removed and installed many heatsinks/cpus and I've never had a problem like this before. I guess I could always buy a new cpu to test if thats what it is but I'm not sure you can return cpu's.

Do you guys have any other recommendations?

did you put the old HS back on to try it?

I didn't try that but I don't see how that would help the no post problem. I guess anythings possible.

The SI-97A seems to be sitting on the core perfectly. The core left a perfect impression on the base of the SI-97A with arctic ceramique.

The AX-7 is a pain in the *** to install and uninstall but if you think it might work I'll do it.

I just reinstalled the AX-7 to test it but it still won't post. The AX-7 is actually easy to install but removing it is a pain. Anyway, It didn't work. I reinstalled the SI-97A but still nothing. I have a bad feeling the cpu is gone! Is there anyway to test the cpu without having another rig to test it in?

Did you try hitting the insert key when powering up?

I've never heard of hitting the insert key while powering up. With an Asus mobo you hold down delete to enter the bios. But you can't do that until after the pc posts. Keyboards and mice don't have power until the pc posts.

Per chance, do you have another XP/something lying around to try?? (Sure u would've done this already...)

I don't have another cpu to try. That would make life to easy. :)

I think it has to be the cpu. What else could it be? What could I have done that damaged the cpu?

Ohh My GOD!!!! :confused:

I just went into my computer room and tried to turn it on again. I haven't touched it for over 4 hours. I turned the surge protector on, hit the power button, and poof...it posts!!!!! I did the exact same thing I did a hundred times but this time it posts!!!!

What the hell happened!!! :confused: Why wouldn't it post all those times, then I don't touch it for a few hours and it posts like normal.

Anyway, I went into the bios and fixed all the settings and its now running prime.

Please, someone enlighten me to what may have happened. I know time cures a broken heart but I've never heard of it curing a non posting computer! :)

After running prime for a few minutes I shut down so I could double check I didn't forget to do anything inside the case. Tuck away wires, plug in all fans, etc... Anyway, everything inside was ok so I reconnected everything on the outside, hit the power button, and now it won't post!!! :mad:

What could be causing this??? :confused:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Beeker

After running prime for a few minutes I shut down so I could double check I didn't forget to do anything inside the case. Tuck away wires, plug in all fans, etc... Anyway, everything inside was ok so I reconnected everything on the outside, hit the power button, and now it won't post!!! :mad:

What could be causing this??? :confused:

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So, you did SOMEthing inside the case, even to check?? A short somewhere??

All I did was open the case to make sure all the fan wires and such were out of the way. I didn't remove or install anything. I just wanted to make sure I didn't forget to do anything. Which I didn't.

I have no idea what the problem is but I'm starting to get pissed off!

Well it posted again this morning. In fact I am typing this on it.

I have no idea what would cause this sparatic problem. :confused:

Hmm...

Everytime you have had trouble with it posting, it's because you have recently run prime, then turned off the computer. To me it sounds like some kind of whacked thermal protection scheme. The computer won't power on until everything is all clear, which is apparently quite a few hours.

This is just me guessing, but it might be something to look into.

Oh, and the INS key thing. That was an old ABit thing. If you held it down during power on, it reset everything to safe settings so you could get into the BIOS. It was their way around having screwed up BIOS settings. It was really helpful when overclocking.

I don't think it has anything to do with a heat related problem. I guess it could be some heat sensor that isn't working properly but I doubt it.

After thinking about it I remembered that a few times over the last few months the computer didn't post the first time I turned it on. I didn't think much of it because when it didn't post I just hit the reset button and it posted.

This morning it didn't post when I first turned it on but I hit reset and it posted. I went into the bios and reset everything to my prior overclocked settings. I then tried running prime but it failed after only a few minutes. Even with the temps never going above 40c. I then restarted and ran 3dmark2001. That also failed. :confused: Each time I restarted it posted like normal.

I then restarted and reset everything to stock speeds except I left the ram at agressive 5 2 2 2 timings. I loaded prime and let it run. I will check it when I get home from work. It was running for over a half hour before I left.

I have a feeling either the cpu or the mobo is the problem. I am leaning towards the cpu being the problem because that is what I was working on when this problem started. Also, why won't it run at the overclocked settings it has been running at for over 2 years? Especially now with the cpu temps being so much lower.