So a couple days back the computer started to freeze. After the last freeze yesterday, it doesn't want to startup and doesn't even pass the POST. I don't even get a picture on the screen, but the motherboard says "There may be a problem with the cpu". It's pretty weird 'cause all the components are high quality and everything is connected according to the motherboard booklet. I have went through the following process of elimination. 1)Cleared CMOS Settings 2)Checked all jumper settings 3)Checked all wire connections 4)Reseated CPU 5)Removed all harddrive/cd/dvd devices 6)Removed PCI/AGP one by one I was wondering if it's possible to remove the CPU and/or the RAM and power up to determine whether my motherboard is working correctly. I would really appreciate any advice on the matter. Because of the problem i was also thinking about buying a PSU, RAM and/or CPU testing device. Any suggestions. I have the following components: Processor: Pentium 4 3.06Ghz 533MHz FSB HT Sound Card: Sound Blaster Audigy 2ZS PlatPro Psu: Nesteq NA4501 450Watt HeatSink: Zalman CNPS9500 LED Mobo: Aopen AX4SPE Max Mem: 1Gb 333MHz DDR Gfx: XFX GeForce FX5500 256MB DDR AGP 8x

"Your CPU may have a problem" is a typical message on AOpen boards when the CPU has a problem! Chances are it's overheating. When you "reseated" the CPU, did you apply fresh thermal paste?

Nothing will run without the CPU (processor). You can remove all but one stick of the memory. By alternating sticks you can possibly eliminate memory as the issue. "I don't even get a picture on the screen, but the motherboard says" "There may be a problem with the cpu". Please explain this.

Thanks for your comments. **When you "reseated" the CPU, did you apply fresh thermal paste? - jam I assume it's not todo with thermal paste, as there was still some applied and still quite moist. **"I don't even get a picture on the screen, but the motherboard says" "There may be a problem with the cpu". Please explain this. - Othehill I was sure that you couldn't remove the CPU, but someone said something different. To explain the talking motherboard, it has an onboard feature called DrVoice, if that's what you're referring to. You think i should buy another CPU?

I've used AOpen boards in the past & I know actually what you mean. "Dr.Voice" is telling you that your CPU has a problem...not your RAM, PSU, AGP/PCI cards...your CPU. That is where you should be concentrating your efforts. I don't know what may have caused the problem initially, but once you remove the heatsink, you are supposed to remove all traces of the old thermal compound & reapply a fresh layer before reinstalling it. The amount you use should be roughly the size of a BB or grain of rice, & it should only be applied on the CPU core. http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/app...