Replacing the cpu

[Tom Richards]

The cpu seems to be causing my intermittent lockups - at least it's the next
piece of hardware to replace according to Lance. When shopping for a new
one, I discovered that they weren't returnable (at Microcenter anyway), just
replaceable. And I became concerned that perhaps a 2.8 P IV wouldn't be
compatible with my pc. I have a Gateway Performance 1500 with a 1.5 Pentium
P IV. So: 1) are there cpu's out there that are returnable in case this
doesn't fix my problem and 2) are all P IVs interchangeable, that is, will a
2.8 fit my mobo?

 

[purplehaz]

Are you sure its not heat that is causing the problem? Heat is a big cause
of lockups. Are you sure your heat sink and fans are working properly?
But to answer your question:
1 - You should not buy a cpu as a guess at fixing lockup problems. And if
did you'd buy one you would do so because you needed it, so refunds/returns
would be a non-issue. If the cpu was defective then you replace it, not try
for a refund.
2 - You would not buy a cpu unless you knew it was the correct one for your
motherboard. Not all motherboards will run any pentium cpu. The mb has to be
able to handle the cpu. You would need to check with gateway for 1 - to see
if you can even upgrade to an new cpu(many oem motherboards won't let you)
and 2- what cpus will work with your motherboard.

IMHO, you should just upgrade your cooling system and see if that helps
first before buying hardware as a guess at fixing the problem.

 

[Alvin Brown]

Hello

Well it all depends on what your mother will support, and you
an get that info from gateway or it should be in your computer
manual.

Alvin

 

[Tom Richards]

Thanks for that info, Alvin. I'm going to contact gateway this evening.

--

Tom Richards
(e-mail address removed)

Hello

Well it all depends on what your mother will support, and you
an get that info from gateway or it should be in your computer
manual.

Alvin

 

[Tom Richards]

Heat: I added a fan blowing on the cpu and memory sticks and also an
extraction fan - same issue...lockups. The cpu fix came from Lance Naugle at
microsoft oca triage. I've replaced (swapped out) every hardware piece
except the sound card, mobo and cpu.

 

[Guest]

I agree with purplehaz, as I had the same problems and it was the fan that casued the lockups. If your bios has it, check for CPU temp. You CPU core should't run higher than ~75 degrees F, even though specs may be able to handle higher

BTW< mine was running about 95 before shutting down. :

 

[purplehaz]

Did you ever try bringing it to a local computer shop and have them look at
it. Maybe worth a try. Or if you have the money to throw around for a new
processor even though you may or may not need one, then go for it. Give
gateway a call or check out their website to see what you can upgrade to.

 

[D.Currie]

When you contact Gateway, make sure you check on what FSB that motherboard
supports, as it's not just speed that has to be compatible.

My guess, though, is that Gateway has locked down the motherboard so that it
doesn't support much of a speed change, if any.

Thanks for that info, Alvin. I'm going to contact gateway this evening.

--

Tom Richards
(e-mail address removed)

Hello

Well it all depends on what your mother will support, and you
an get that info from gateway or it should be in your computer
manual.

Alvin

the

next

anyway),

 

[Tom Richards]

I had it to a local computer repair guy. He kept it for a week and told me
that everything seemed ok but he recommended losing all of my partitions -
which I did. Still locked. I called gateway and got a good tech. He found a
compatible 423 zif socket cpu for me at $150 - and it's returnable if it
isn't the problem. Gateway just wants my old cpu returned when the new one
arrives.

 

[Tom Richards]

According to gateway, the fastest speed that the mobo supports is 2.0. They
found me a 1.6 and it's on it's way.

 

[D.Currie]

I saw your other post, and it's a good thing you're getting one from Gateway
as you need a socket 423, and those are pretty much gone from the market. If
you went and bought a P4 anywhere, it would likely be a socket 478.

So it's a good thing you asked a few questions before running out to buy
something that didn't work.

 

[-xiray-]

I have a Gateway Performance 1500 with a 1.5 Pentium
P IV. So: 1) are there cpu's out there that are returnable in case this
doesn't fix my problem and 2) are all P IVs interchangeable, that is, will a
2.8 fit my mobo?

My bet... if your system can take a processor upgrade then your mobo
will support up to a 2.0 mhz P IV with either 400 or 533 FSB.

Not really going to knock the socks of the performance you're already
getting with your 1.5

The money would be better spent on a whole new system (kinda makes you
wish that's what you'd done before upgrading all those other parts I'm
sure).

 

[Tom Richards]

I upgraded all the other stuff temporarily, that is, I returned the power
supply, video card, hard drive, etc. to the store (mostly Staples) when I
realized that they weren't the problem. A lot of trips back and forth.

 

[Tom Richards]

Fingers are crossed that this will work - thanks for your help.

 

[purplehaz]

That's good, worth a try. I also remembered a starnge locking up computer
that took me months to figure out. Finally I found out it was the USB
printer cable that the user had at his house. When I had the machine I did
not have his usb cable, so it was the one thing I never checked. Then as a
last resort I swapped it out at his house and the locking up stopped. If you
have a usb printer take a look at a new cable as well. You never know.

 

[Tom Richards]

Yes, I have a usb printer - I'm going to try a new cable. Thanks for the
tip.

 

[purplehaz]

You're welcome. Hope it helps.

Yes, I have a usb printer - I'm going to try a new cable. Thanks for
the tip.

 

[zulu]

USB hubs can also cause problems
(Don't ask!)

Yes, I have a usb printer - I'm going to try a new cable. Thanks for the
tip.

 

[Tom Richards]

I won't..