Built a new system from ground up: 80G hdd, with a 40G back-up; new mobo (Machspeed PM2MP); Intel Celeron 2.80G processor and 2 526 Ram sticks. Friday night it was humming along. Saturday morning - nada. the 'reset' button gets it only as far as the sysinfo page. Turning it off gets it to various stages of boot-up, but never completely there. The longer it's off, the further it gets, but it freezes before W2K completely loads. I tried to 'F8' for a safe mode or last known good config, but that page is frozen, and arrows won't move. I pulled the RAM, put them back in the opposite slots; pulled one out completely; swore and then hit the thing. What could be wrong?

If you enter BIOS Setup during boot does it freeze there too? This might help to rule out a CPU overheating causing the computer to freeze. It should freeze there too? The fact that allowing more time between reboots taking the freeze interval longer kind of points toward that. If you have a PC that can use the same type of RAM modules, try installing in that and booting and if necessary (in case it does not freeze), perform a Memory test using Memtest86 M

I agree about the possible overheating CPU. It's funny that a CPU getting too hot would cause a computer to get too cold and freeze! (MEANT THAT AS A JOKE LOL). ATTENION AMERICA!!! LET'S WAKE UP AND TURN BACK TO GOD!

Maad- I was able to get into the bios, but it froze within 10 seconds. I'm not literate in computers so, from your message, is the processor shot? I have three fans in the case and all are operating. The CPU and Cooling Fan were bought brand new on 22 July!!?? I don't play games on the PC; I don't do anything intense 'cuz I don't know how!

JRoss, Your Processor is still alive but unable to function at that heat, Power Supply or BIOS setting. Usually it should cause an "Abnormal Beep" for high CPU temp but if it is disabled or changed or the Internal SPKR not connected properly you can miss this alarm. DONOT keep on rebooting the PC and consequently damage the CPU BEFORE VERIFYING whether you have made any manual settings in the BIOS to halt You must concentrate especially on the Menu called "PC Health Status" to automatically shut down above a certain temp. I hope you get enough time to quickly access this menu which is in the Main CMOS setup. If BIOS Setup is Ok, try to reboot using "Default BIOS Setup" If still problem not solved: Remove the case and investigate the CPU Fan. Make sure you have made the fan connections right. Make sure you have inserted the second 12Volts 4-Pin ATX Power connector. Contact MoBO Support line for any other help. I wish I could help you more but using the Forum , this seems to be the best I can with the information I have about your system. Hope it is not a PSU problem. What Power Supply Unit you have? Make, Model and wattage? Good luck M

try switching some fans around...i did that w/ mine, and it the temp droped almost 10 degrees good luck/God Bless Andy The internet is no longer a toy...it is a combat zone!!

M, I have the ATADC PK400, 400W. It has been checked by a pro, since it was my first attempt at building a PC.\ Andy, the CPU fan, and the intake/exhaust, have all been operating as required. They're almost identical makes, so why switch? Anyway, most of this is moot. I contacted the mfg., and they are replacing the chip. Given the newness of the whole system and its sudden death they agreed that the CPU is most likely bad.