Fried CPU or Motherboard?

Hi,

My computer started malfunctioning last month and it eventually stopped working. Whenever I turn my computer on it just turns off after 1~2 seconds and reboots, then it cycles again nonstop. My motherboard is a Gigabyte EX58-Extreme motherboard (a LGA1366 board with dual BIOs), and the board has these debugging LEDs on it. Whenever I turn my computer on, the LEDs that represent overloading in the North Bridge and South Bridge of the motherboard blink at the beginning and the end of the boot. There also isn't any beeps, and the debugging number display also doesn't have anything on it.

I tried booting it with minimal settings, with only 1 stick of ram + CPU + Motherboard, but it didn't work. I also tried clearing the CMOs by pulling out the battery, and by touching the CMOs jumpers (which both didn't work as well). I asked experts and they told me that it's probably related to a faulty PSU, which then I shipped back to the manufacturer and got a replacement.

But after retrieving my new PSU and re-assembling my computer again today, my computer still gives me the exact same problem. Being frustrated, I even tested the thing with just the motherboard (took out the CPU and the CPU fan), but still no luck. Now I think the problem is related to either the motherboard or the CPU, but I'm not sure which one it is though, and I don't wanna waste any more time/money on figuring out which part it is and getting the wrong part replaced.

What are the symptoms of a fried CPU or a fried motherboard? Should I replace my motherboard next or my CPU?

Thanks,
Tim

 

Before assuming it's a fried MB or CPU let's start with something simpler.

Can you boot successfully into Windows setup from the Windows DVD?

 

Popvictor, I recently experienced a very similar problem. In my case, the motherboard was a goner. Eventually, I could boot from a live-cd to disable auto-reboot to try and get acces to the BSOD, which didn't even help. In the end, I couldn't even start up the pc anymore. I replaced the miserable MSI-motherboard (had nothing but trouble with MSI!) by an Asus one and now everything is settled. I did have to re-install windows.

 

Hi guys,

Thanks for replying. I can't boot any discs because it wouldn't even post BIOs. I forgot to mention that it just gives me a blank screen. You might say that it's because of the GPU, but I don't think that's the problem since it still reboots continuously after taking it off.

 

yeah, if you can't even get it to post, and you've already switched the PS, it sounds like a motherboard problem to me.

 

Unfortunately, I agree that the motherboard seems to be the issue. However, ONE more thing to check... you DID apply thermal paste (rice grain sized amount) between the processor and the heat sink, right? If not, the CPU could be overheating and causing issues.

 

Just a wrap-up on what my situation and what I've done so far.

Situation:
1, Booted 21 month old computer and got the message of "WARNING: MAIN BIOS CHECKSUM ERROR...".
2, Computer crashed while loading Windows and cannot boot after that.
3, Attempt on booting only spins fans, gives LED signals, and reboots every 2 seconds. No beeps + blank screen. LED number 88 all the time.

Specs (major ones):
Gigabyte-EX58-Extreme Motherboard
i7 920
Aeneon xTune 6gb RAM
ATI 4870x2 GPU (Dual GPU on 1 card)
Corsair HX750W

What I've attempted doing so far:
1, Clearing CMOs by removing battery --> didn't help, same rebooting problem
2, Clearing CMOs by using jumpers --> didn't help, same rebooting problem
3, Booting computer with minimal settings (CPU + CPU Fan + 1 stick of ram + video card) on cardboard -- didn't help, same rebooting problem
4, Booting computer with only CPU + CPU Fan + 1 stick of ram --> NO BEEP (supposed to beep if it doesn't detect video card) + same rebooting problem
5, Replaced PSU with a brand new one --> didn't help, same rebooting problem
6, Manually replacing main BIOs with secondary BIOs by holding case power button and turning backswitch of PSU --> didn't help, same rebooting problem
7, Checked CPU socket for bent pins --> cannot find any personally

I don't think it's the thermal paste though (although it solidified already..) cuz it wouldn't post BIOs even if I boot it.