Hi, I'm putting together a new system: Athlon XP 2800+, 512mb elixir ddr, asus A7N8X-dlx motherboard. I'm now able to get it to POST, and I can get into BIOS, but after a minute or so the keyboard locks up and I can't do anything but shut it down. I think the CPU is overheating; I checked the system temp BIOS page and was getting varied readings, up to ~66c. I know that's a bit hot, but should the computer be shutting down at that temperature? I used white thermal grease when installing the heatsink/fan assembly (a CoolerMaster X-Dream HAC-V81). I was later told that grey grease is better. I also suspect that I used too much grease at first. I took off the heatsink, and found that the chip on the CPU didn't have the grease spread equally on it. I guess my question is twofold: Should I find some of that grey thermal grease (and how much should I use), and what's a good temperature for the CPU? Should it be shutting down at 66c? Thanks, Zach

Hey All i can tell you is what i get. 2600xp+ . Stock fan. 38-48c Is my cpu temp. Cya

Thanks for the reply. I tried again and found that now the CPU temperature is at 36c. I'm still having the problem where the keyboard locks up though, and sometimes it won't POST at all. I put in more memory; that could be the culprit. The voice messages I'd been getting when I powered up said "CPU failed due to overclocking" ... but I haven't even touched the factory settings! I did apply a bit of the grey grease, and I think it's helping somewhat. If anyone else has any ideas, feel free to share.

What is the wattage on your power supply, and the brand name, too?

Can you post your BIOS settings for FSB, Multiplier, Memory Timings & Voltages please?

use only a very thin layer of grease. White or grey are about the same. Make sure you clean all the old stuff off. 66c is high enough to cause you to shutdown/lock up. The problem is likely your heatsink/paste/fan, or the cpu vcore voltage is set way over stock of 1.65v, or the mobo is reporting temp incorrectly and is set to an autoshutdown of 70c. the sink may not be on flat - make sure it is not 180 degrees reversed. the xdream clip is weak. If you have another sink I would try it. If it works better, then the xdream may not have been pressing against the cpu properly.

Froggx: It's a PowerTek 500W supply. Mapo: FSB = 166mhz; Multiplier = 12.5; Memory = 200mhz; voltage = ? I can't get into BIOS at the moment. I'm able to POST sometimes when all the ide cables are disconnected from the motherboard; if I plug any one of them back in, it fails to POST. If I hang around in BIOS too long, it locks up and I can't restart the computer for a half-hour or so. It gave me the vocal message "Memory test failed." I've tried other sticks, and in other slots, and it doesn't make any difference. johnoh: I have the heatsink that came with the processor; I can give that a try.