Hi all, First, sorry for my poor english. Please eel free to respond to me if you don't understand something in my case explained below. Since a few weeks, my computer have this strange problem... When I turn it on several hours after the last use, the screen keeps getting black (even when it's turned on) and I hear no post error. I hear and see the hard drive and the DVD-ROM being powered on, the green light on the mobo is turned on and all the fans are running. My computer specs : - Mobo Asus A7V8X-X - CPU AMD Athlon XP 2600+ - 1 x 512Mb Kingston DDR333 memory - Video card Asus GEForce TI4200 - Generic PowerSupply 350w - DVD-Rom LG - HD Western Digital 40Gb - Modem USR 56K int. Here's all the tests I've done : - Disconnected and reconnected all power cables and data cables inside computer; - removed and put back all cards (modem and video card), also the memory module; - cleared CMOS - Tested video card, memory and hard drive in another computer.. it worked well - Replaced the PSU... same prob - Removed all cards, the memory module and disconnected all power cables except the mobo... same prob, no post Later, it worked with no reason and I was able to use it and turned it off the same day. The day after, the same issue occured after the first try. The first test I'v done was to push some warm air into the computer with a hairdryer (ask me why I though to this solution). Guess what?? It worked. In this room, temperature is about 63°F-64°F (17°C-18°C). My other computer in the same room works well, even at lower temperatures. At this time, I cannot identify if the issue comes from the Mobo or the CPU. This is where I need your help, suggestions, etc. Thanks in advance! Steph

You probably have a poor connection somewhere on the motherboard. You have done the right thing by reseating everything. However, it could be the CPU socket, Bios socker or even a connection internal to one of the integrated circuits. Connections can be made/broken by heat/cold. You 'might' want to consider leaving the system powered up 24/7.

The only check I would try, that is not on your list of already done, would be to reseat the cpu. I have seen instances of incorrectly installed cpus, although only in name brand machines! Of course you can't do this without removing the heatsink. It is advisable to remove and replace the thermal compound when you do this.

I tried to reseat the CPU on the motherboard but the problem remains... Also is that normal I don't hear any post error when I power on the motherboard with nothing installed on the CPU, even no memory module and CPU? Any comments? Stephen moutch_1976@hotmail.com

If you do not get a post beep that means the motherboard/CPU/Bios combination is not working. The CPU has to be working to make the beep. During the Power-On-Self-Test the CPU is running and checks all the motherboard functions.

It is beginning to sound like the cpu might be at fault. Check that the cpu fan is spinning up freely. Also it might be worth trying a cmos reset. Your motherboard manual will tell you how to do this. As Ham has already told you. You cannot test without a processor. It interprets to boot code from bios and the boot won't start without it.