Chris.Day wrote:Remove everything except for minimal memory (1 stick), CPU, graphics card. Clear CMOS and see if it boots.
I've done this (system only contains PSU, CPU, RAM, VGA, cleared CMOS, reseated RAM and PSU connectors), and only LED2 illuminates (this LED serves to say that the DIMMs are plugged in and "working"). The main LED (the one that shows POST codes during boot) briefly flickers, then remains dark.
So the PSU is definitely supplying at least minimal power. The power button is working (because LED2 reacts to me pushing it).
This says to me that at least the motherboard is having problems; it ought to be able to POST even without a CPU, right? I'm not certain; this is the first system I have built.
So is the problem more likely to be with the motherboard or with the CPU?
To ask the question another way, which one should I try to RMA for replacement first? Both were purchased in Feb 2005, so I am well beyond the standard 30-day refund policy, but I am well within the standard 1-year manufacturer's replacement policy. The motherboard purchased at NewEgg; the CPU (retail, not OEM) was purchased at ZipZoomFly. Even better, the retail CPU has a 3-year warranty instead of the 1-year warranty.
What are the symptoms of an overheated CPU (can the Winchester 3500+ A64 CPUs burn themselves to death, or do they have built-in protection)? I seriously doubt this is the case, but I'll look for symptoms anyway. I was regularly getting reported diode temperatures of 60C under load. Adjusting for the more typically reported thermistor temperatures, this should be about 40-50C, so that should be well within normal operating temperatures (spec'd max 65C, presumably thermistor temperature).
Thanks for your help!