how to tell if I fried my cpu

  • Thread starter Thread starter Me myself & him
  • Start date Start date
I know on AMD CPU's the core of the CPU (small metal square in the center of it) will usually turn very bright pink if the CPU has been fried... thats a sure fire way to tell...

only other way to tell is to optain another CPU and pop it in to see if it was your CPU or not...

not sure about how to tell with pentiums with out swapping CPU's
 
I took out the heatsink to check the CPU, I forgot to plug it back in when I put everything back together:( I saw a little wisp of smoke and scrambled to flip the switch, but i heard it only takes seconds:(

I'm slightly colorblind, if it's not vividly pink, I can't really tell.:(

Damn! I can't afford this right now
 
"All electronic devices are made of magic smoke. When the smoke is let out, the device dies."

Can't remember where I read that.

You will need a new CPU.

You could try putting the heatsink back on and testing for a few seconds to see if it's OK, but you'd then be putting your MB, PSU and everything else on the mobo at risk if your CPU is indeed fried.

In case things go wrong, you'll need a new CPU, mobo, RAM and video card minimum. Not to count the PSU, which may also burn, but I doubt it as they can withstand high surge currents.

CPUs are well under $100 if you look around. IMO it's worth it. Better than having to spend $500.

Sang
 
what operating system are u using? if ur using XP, XP will bluescreen on start up when the fan isn't working and the CPU is getting to hot....that almost happened to me my fan broke but i didn't know so i would start my computer then it would just restart and then bluescreen, but their was no smoke cuz the heat sink was at least still on
 
What kind of cpu is it? Yes it only takes seconds for it to burn. Some models have a thing that melts on the chip itself and leaves a little tiny hole. This is one indicator. Also try smelling it really hard to see if you smell anything fishy. Also, look on the top and bottom around the chip to see if there are any darkened places. all are good indicators of this.

I dunno how long you ahve had your CPU for. but i know that AMDs support will cover that very very easily. And i believe that they usually have 3 year warranty on CPUs. Just call up AMD and tell them that it just stopped working and a computer dood told you that its fried. I dont think they will care that much if you tell the the real story but just tell them that you didnt do anything heh.

I bet intel has the same support but ive never had to test it. I did the same thing a while back and it was easily worked out. If they dont have 3 year warranties (which im sure they do) then they must have 1 year so you might be covered and you might not be.

Good luck.

Danny
 
Thanks, I did smell smoke, I turned it back on, and the mobo seems to run, the fan, but nothing on the screen. I got it last year, but I'm sure it was OEM, came with no package from some no-name company that probably doesn't exist anymore. Still think I can contact AMD?:(

On the top, around the chip I saw some darkened areas that looked like something may have melted around the chip, but that was already there before the smoke. The bottom looks perfect.
 
No, you cannot contact AMD.

You got what is known as an OEM processor. Those things don't come with any sort of warranty.

Your CPU is probably burnt. Black marks mean the CPU has burnt.

I wouldn't needlessly risk the other components, try a friend's CPU to check if it's indeed your CPU at fault.

And this time remember the HSF. It's not pretty.

If you're buying a new one go for one with a 3 year warranty. Worth the $10. And use a good HSF.
 
I'll see if any of my friends have an athlon CPU

Next time I'll take a few minutes to double check everything, and I won't do it when I'm tired.:(
 
before you do that...Last weekend I was sitting watching tv and heard a loud pop noise. Then I smelled smoke. I thought the chip or the board on ym computer went. It turned out that it was just the power supply. So make sure it is definitely the chip before purchasing a new one. If you are unsure bring it in to a store....they will tell you what is wrong for free.
 
My power supply still runs, it seems fine, but I think I'll take it in for a diagnostic anyway.

Thanks
 
I custom built my computer. I went into CompUSA and asked the guy. We opened it up and he tried some things. Completely free.
 
"Its dead, Jim"

Hopefully the motherboard didn't suffer any damage. In the old days (Pentium, 486) when a cpu overheated it would just freeze. but as you have unfortunately discovered, the newer chips can't tolerate more than a few seconds time without cooling, or it is fatal.
 
Is there anyway to repair it?


















I know, I know........ You're a doctor, not a magician.:D
 
yeah dude...

I'd stay away from buying OEM CPU's... they only come with like a 30 or 90 day warranty... spend the few extra bucks and get a retail boxed one that comes with a full 3 year factory warranty
 
Yeah, I got a windfall today, it's not a whole lot, but I'm getting the XP 1800+ with a HSF tomorrow (hopefully)
That's when my new MOBO arrives.

No OEM
 
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