How to tell if your CPU is fried?

[AD]

Here are my symptoms:

Since I got my Celeron 1.1a, my system has worked flawlessly, then the other morning I go to start it up....It will post, but I get the BSOD after the windows splash screen, and then the reset button doesnt respond. I have to turn it off at the power supply, wait 5 minutes, and then it will post again.

Got any ideas of what I can try? is it the CPU?

[Zuzzz]

that is NOT a chip failure that I can see. . usually if the chip dies it will NOT post. I WOULD check the heatsink/fan unit to be sure it is properly mounted. check yer ram as well be sure all your DIMM's are seated proper. Good luck.

[Freezermug]

Most of the P4's that suffered SNDS would still post, but randomly crash windows. Im not saying thats what you have, just saying Ive seen posts in the past where a dead or dying chip doesnt have to mean it wont post at all.

Alot of wierd and bad things can happen if you run to much voltage. If you were running less then 1.7 volts then id agree with Zuzzz its not the chip. If you were running a higher voltage then that then it very well could be. This is worst case scenario and there is still alot of things you should check.

Run memtest86 to start before you do anything drastic like formating. See if a memory stick went bad.

Also check temps in the bios. Jump into the bios and just let it idle there watching the temperature for a good 20 minutes. Who knows maybe over time the heatsink collected alot of nastyness and isnt getting enough cooling anymore.