When my computer is "cold" and I try to start it via either the button or the keyboard, it "tries" to start, but then shuts itself down within 1-2 seconds. If I reset, then try again, I will eventually get it to start and remain on, but only after 4-5 attempts. Then when it boots up, I get a "CPU unworkable or has changed..." message. If I go into the BIOS and reset everything, that message will no longer appear the next time I boot up, UNLESS I have had encountered the startup issue again, in which case it reappears. (The startup issue is less likely if the computer has been running a while.) Does anyone know what the likely cause of the startup issue is? Also, is it directly related to the error message, or is it more likely the startup issue is corrupting the BIOS and therefore creating the message? Thanks for your help, as I am not a computer jock, but simply trying to get my son's computer to work reliably!

Sounds like your CMOS battery may be bad. Also, why do you have keyboard startup enabled?

Jam, just out of curiosity, why would keyboard start-up be an issue. I use mine because its easier to reach keyboard than start button on tower. Be Good, Robert AMD64 3700@ 2.7ghz w/Big Typhoon Asus A8N-E w/chipset cooler 2x512 Kingston DDR400 WDC 70GB Raptor Enermax 485W PS Gf 7300 pci-e