Here's just another ongoing issue with this computer I've yet to get working correctly. I put together a new computer: Asus a7v8x-x mobo getforce4 video amd A socket thoroughbred 2.08Ghz cpu Maxtor 160G HD So it used to boot up fine and run for long periods of time without an OS. I had probs installing WinXP, so I decided I would just install 98 and then upgrade. But, during the first reboot during the installatin process, the computer hung. So I rebooted, and nothing. Let sit, reboot, and it goes to Bios w/ a message saying the cpu shut down b/c it was set to a higher processing speed than the cpu supports (which is not true). So, long story short, I reformatted the HD and it worked fine again with no OS. Tryed reinstalling, and same probs come back. Now it won't boot at all. What's going on here? Thanks.

would a burn processor explain things?

Generally, a CPU either works or it doesn't...it can't be just a little burnt..it's all or nothing. I take it you have a 2800+? Possibly your vcore is set too low? or you have bad RAM?

When folks have probs installing XP, most never tell us how they prepared their harddrives. XP is EXTREMELY finicky about the environ it is set up in. That's why so many folks have probs with upgrades-XP just doesn't do well with upgrades!! What did you do to prepare your harddrive? Did you enter fdisk and remove all partitions, then reformat the entire drive so that it was totally clean of previous partitions/data?

No, there was a support disk to prepare the drive for Win XP. Right now my biggest issue is getting the thing on. Everything powers up, and the HD clicks a couple times, but no boot. It just sits idle. The monitor doesn't even respond. This is all new equipment, so my concern is that the mobo or cpu might be bad.

Okay, go basic: > Switch out your HD with one you know is good, if the same probs then you can eliminate the HD as the problem. > Switch out your memory with sticks you know are good, see if you boot; OR download Dr.Memory or Memtest, run it all night on your sticks and if there is any error at all replace your memory. OR go to Best Buy, buy a new stick and install it; if you have the same probs, return it to Best Buy for a full refund. > Remove your CPU and find a friend who will let you install it in his unit; if it boots and runs it is eliminated as a problem. > That leaves the mobo, and you have pretty well nailed that it is bad.

The core is slightly chipped. Well I learned my lesson.