Tech Support Forum - View Single Post - A7N8X-E deluxe won't boot, saying "system failed due to cpu overclocking"

05-04-2005, 07:06 PM

Hi,

The way I see it, you have done about everything humanly possible to troubleshoot this problem. However, with the constant shutting down now, I have some suspicions about possible causes. The process I use is slightly different, so here is what I would do if it were mine:

Take the motherboard out of the case and place it beside the case on a piece of carboard or other non-conductive surface.

Remove all items from the board, including the CPU and heatsink, that includes all pci devices, all video cards, all drives, just the bare board.

Carefully clean the heatsink and cpu surface with 100 or 99 proof alcohol.

Now, start out by reseating your CPU making sure you don't have any bent pins. Be very careful that it is down firmly in the socket and snapped in properly.

Put a VERY SMALL amount of thermal paste on the heatsink and CPU contact surface. Be VERY CAREFUL that you don't get too much on, because that is as bad as not getting enough on.

One has to be make sure the heatsink clamp is down tight. This is a common cause of the error you are seeing at times. Just make sure.

Connect the heatsink fan to the motherboard as specified.

Then, put in one stick of ram, keyboard, connect the ATX connector, AND don't forget the 12volt Square plug connected to the motherboard. Do not forget to connect the Off/On switch wires.

Turn it on and see if it stays on without dying.

If it dies, then take out the ram and see if it still dies.

If it stays on, then add your video card and connect the monitor.

If that works, add a hard drive.

You get the picture, I think!

If this process keeps it going, then put it back in the case and be sure that you don't have any extra motherboard posts in the wrong place.

Note: At some point, you should flash your BIOS to the latest version with this CPU you are using. Therefore, when you are able to do this, be sure you do. This also may be the cause of some of your problems. Please try to leave your BIOS setup menu at default without altering until you get it up and going.

Let me know about your progress.

05-04-2005, 07:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
mark3567 Guest Posts: n/a OS:	Hi, The way I see it, you have done about everything humanly possible to troubleshoot this problem. However, with the constant shutting down now, I have some suspicions about possible causes. The process I use is slightly different, so here is what I would do if it were mine: Take the motherboard out of the case and place it beside the case on a piece of carboard or other non-conductive surface. Remove all items from the board, including the CPU and heatsink, that includes all pci devices, all video cards, all drives, just the bare board. Carefully clean the heatsink and cpu surface with 100 or 99 proof alcohol. Now, start out by reseating your CPU making sure you don't have any bent pins. Be very careful that it is down firmly in the socket and snapped in properly. Put a VERY SMALL amount of thermal paste on the heatsink and CPU contact surface. Be VERY CAREFUL that you don't get too much on, because that is as bad as not getting enough on. One has to be make sure the heatsink clamp is down tight. This is a common cause of the error you are seeing at times. Just make sure. Connect the heatsink fan to the motherboard as specified. Then, put in one stick of ram, keyboard, connect the ATX connector, AND don't forget the 12volt Square plug connected to the motherboard. Do not forget to connect the Off/On switch wires. Turn it on and see if it stays on without dying. If it dies, then take out the ram and see if it still dies. If it stays on, then add your video card and connect the monitor. If that works, add a hard drive. You get the picture, I think! If this process keeps it going, then put it back in the case and be sure that you don't have any extra motherboard posts in the wrong place. Note: At some point, you should flash your BIOS to the latest version with this CPU you are using. Therefore, when you are able to do this, be sure you do. This also may be the cause of some of your problems. Please try to leave your BIOS setup menu at default without altering until you get it up and going. Let me know about your progress. Last edited by mark3567; 05-04-2005 at 07:09 PM.