what happens when a cpu goes bad ?

this may sound like a dumb question, but i'm wondering what happens when the cpu fails. the reason i ask is that i have a major problem with my pc and i'm dealing with it as a virus problem; but, i'm wondering if it is'nt hardware related. when the cpu is under a "load" you can hear a clicking or chattering sound at the cpu, and it's not the fan. does this make sense? the main problem i'm having is that my computer has gotten so slow it barely boots up, it even has a couple of seconds lag time on the mouse and keyboard and won't let me run any anti-virus programs. any thoughts ? tia.

 

To me this sounds like the Hard Drive is going bad. Have you checked to see if the noise comes from it when it is making it?

 

actually, i've had the case open and i've been sitting right in front of it and the noise is coming from the cpu area. however, what is the best way to check for a bad hard drive.

 

Try going to msconfig and see what programs are listed under the Startup tab, it may be a virus as it won't let you run anti-virus programs, and maybe not even install additional programs ? Now about the clicking sound, I doubt there could be any place under the CPU cooler that can generate that sound, maybe parts of it cracking but there is no way your computer would be up and running with so much temperature (only that could bring the CPU down). Can you replace the hard drive and install an operating system to check if it runs smoothly, or even reinstall windows on your current drive to check it out ?
If the CPU is bad, you won't see anything on your screen, not even BIOS information, but everything wil still be on (fans and leds), computer won't boot up.

 

Try getting the HD diagnostic for your brand HD. http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287 Run both the short and the long test.

If you have a blank CD I would get the bootable CD version and burn it to disc and then boot from the disc to run it.

If no CD try the Windows version.

 

I found that an empty paper towel tube can be used as a rudimentary stethoscope to isolate noises though I agree with the others here, sounds like your HDD is going to kick the bucket. I'd back up anything important right now.

 

thanks for the replies and the abvice. i was pretty busy this afternoon and could'nt hang around the computer. i'll probably work on this alittle while then call it a day. gotta hit it early in the morning, no rest for the poor.

 

Noise around the CPU and an unstable O/S, could be that one or more of the filter capacitors around the CPU are venting.

Examine those little cans around your CPU are any of them bulging out or splitting
side or top?
Is the rubber bung trying to come out of the bottom?
Are they getting hot is any gunge oozing out of them?