Is my CPU fried?

[hadubnano]

For a while now my backup computer (Dell Dimension 4500, Pentium 4) has been starting up with error “Processor fan not detected”. I left the machine on overnight as usual, and today its not working. It was not “on” when I woke, and the power button does not work to start the system.

I heard that Pentium 4 processors will shut down before it “over heats”. So, I need to figure out if this system is scap metal or if I can somehow bring it back online. I only need this system to operate for a couple weeks more before i plan to replace it. But i do need it working untill then. Is there anything I can do? Thanks

 

[hadubnano]

...adding to this... I opened the box and see a small green light on the motherboard. Maybe a sign of life? When an electrical breaker box trips, you must flip it off and on again. Is there a switch for a PC to do the same? Just trying to get this thing back on...

I heard P4 processors will shut down automatically before they overheat. So at this point I assume the system can be saved. Any opinions on that?

 

[turtile]

Does the motherboard beep at startup? It should be fine as long as it doesn't.

 

[jeremy]

cpu's rarely gets fried , its the psu or mobo but more likely the psu , rma if you still got warranty otherwise buy a new psu from dell (they use proprietary parts)

It should be fine as long as it doesn't.

not necessarily

 

[hadubnano]

Can I test the PSU? Or reset it or something?

Thanks for the tips guys!

 

[jeremy]

theres a way actually , its called "hotwiring"
basicly its a way to powerup the psu without the motherboard , disconnect the main 20pin atx connector and find out if its a standard atx layout or a dell atx layout
dell layout : http://www.quepublishing.com/articles/article.asp?p=339053&rl=1
standard layout : http://pinouts.ru/data/atxpower_pinout.shtml
if your psu got a standard atx layout then put a wire between the pin with the green wire to one of the black ones , if a dell layout then put a wire between the gray to one of the blacks (before doing any of that have the on/off switch at the back of the psu to off or unplug from the wallsocket if it dont have that switch)

 

[mole1135]

it could be that his cpu fan stoped working or came unplugged or something. try booting it with the case open and see what the cpu fan does

 

[MrCoffee]

Does the PSU fan spin? if not then replace PSU. Otherwise troubleshoot CPU fan and bios.