UPGRADING REPAIRING PCs

Table 2.7 Troubleshooting Processor-Related Problems Continued
Problem
Identification Possible Cause Resolution
Operating system Poor heat Check CPU fan; replace if
will not boot. dissipation. necessary. May need higher capacity
heat sink and thermal paste.
Improper voltage Jumper motherboard for proper
settings. core voltage.
Wrong motherboard Jumper motherboard or adjust
bus speed. BIOS settings to correct speed.
Wrong CPU clock Jumper motherboard or adjust
multiplier. BIOS settings to correct multiplier.
Applications will Improper drivers or incompatible
not install or run. hardware. Update drivers and
check for compatibility issues.
System appears Monitor turned Check monitor and power to
to work but no off or failed. monitor. Replace with knownvideo
is displayed good spare for testing.
If, during POST, the processor is not identified correctly, your
motherboard settings might be incorrect or your BIOS might need
to be updated. Check that the motherboard is jumpered or configured
correctly for the processor that you have, and make sure that
you have the latest BIOS for your motherboard.
If the system seems to run erratically after it warms up, try setting
the processor to a lower speed. If the problem goes away, the
processor might be defective or overclocked.
Many hardware problems are really software problems in disguise.
Be sure you have the latest BIOS for your motherboard and the latest
drivers for your peripherals. Also, it helps to use the latest version
of your given operating system because, normally, fewer
problems will occur.
Note
Motherboard Form Factors 29
For more information about processors, see Chapter 3 of
Upgrading and Repairing PCs, 12th Edition, also published by Que.
Motherboard Form Factors
Although many PC users have extended the life span of their systems
by changing the CPU, any system that will be kept for a long
time could be a candidate for a motherboard replacement. Use the
following charts to determine whether your system uses one of