Well, in November of 2003 I built what was then the ultimate gaming machine, it has worked wonderfully except for burning up a power supply once. But about a month and a half ago it started giving me an audio notification of an error (the MB says specific phrases according to what is wrong). Now since I have surround sound with a subwoofer I'm not sure I understood what the voice said, but it seemed like it said "System failed VGA test" I could just simply turn the machine off and back on and it would usually go through without doing it again. VGA failure would mean a problem with my graphics card of course, BUT, my question is if the CPU was burning up or let's just say reaching the end of its days, could it cause strange things like that to happen? BECAUSE, now when I turn the machine on I get nothing on the monitor, and within a few seconds it begins to repeat the phrase "System failed CPU test" I'm positive that is what the MB is saying this time because I've had numerous people listen, turned down the bass on speakers and all, I just hope that I misunderstood her voice the first few times it happened.
I need some serious advice or ideas here before I order my replacement CPU from newegg today, I've just assumed that it is the problem, but I want to get some oppinions from people more experienced than myself whom may have had a similar problem. Another thing I want to mention that may help the decision, it is an Athlon 64, and it did run over recommended temperature a few times, I actually had to open up the case and fan it with a book to get the temp in a safe zone, that helps me point quickly to the CPU. The way I see it is I have three potential suspects, the CPU, the VGA card, or the Motherboard itself. Please help, give me a list of things it could be, well within reason (most common), or just anything before I empty my bank account. Thanks for reading.
I need some serious advice or ideas here before I order my replacement CPU from newegg today, I've just assumed that it is the problem, but I want to get some oppinions from people more experienced than myself whom may have had a similar problem. Another thing I want to mention that may help the decision, it is an Athlon 64, and it did run over recommended temperature a few times, I actually had to open up the case and fan it with a book to get the temp in a safe zone, that helps me point quickly to the CPU. The way I see it is I have three potential suspects, the CPU, the VGA card, or the Motherboard itself. Please help, give me a list of things it could be, well within reason (most common), or just anything before I empty my bank account. Thanks for reading.