New CPU, same dumb Guruboy - Overclock.net

Guruboy · 01-13-08

This build log isn't glorified with acrylic reservoirs or sexy shots of stenciling which connotes a G0 Q6600...nope, it's a good-'ol build log with lots of mistakes and, more importantly, the ways I corrected them! I hope some of the people who read this learn something!

ordered X2 5000+ Black Edition when Newegg dropped it to $99.99
saw a day or so later that the newsletter deals dropped it to $94.99
in my excitement (once I got some time to build), disconnected computer and brought it down to the workshop without a second thought
tore the thing apart very quickly - had a pasta party to attend for nordic skiing and my friend was rushing me to leave
assembled computer fully, replacing X2 3800+ + CM thermal paste with X2 5000+ + AS5
tried to boot, got a POST error beep code: 1 long, 2 short
rebooted, got into BIOS
BIOS said CPU running at 2800Mhz (200Mhz too many)...something is not right
rebooted and received same POST error beep code every time
pissed pants
looked up error code, most sites pointed towards a video-type error
checked everything video related, received same POST error code
attempted a CMOS clear by removing battery
computer will not turn on for more than 1/4 second
almost cry like a girl
install extra CMOS battery
boot, get same POST error code, victory feels hollow inside
went to bed extremely angry, tired, and late, with a race the next day
raced, slept
decided that my BIOS from more than a year ago probably wasn't up-to-date and in any case, should test with the old CPU to make sure that the new one is the actual culprit
disassembled computer
unscrewed HS
pulled CPU right out of socket still attached to HS
see that approximately 8 pins bent out of shape
soiled pants yet again
went upstairs to try and bend the pins back with a screwdriver
pins are too small...can't decide what to use
can't decide whether to keep working on installing the 3800+ back in or having another go at the pins
decide to work on pins
try screwdriver, pencil, nothing works
used eye of sewing needle to pull pins into place
5000+ fits into socket with some coaxing
installed 3800+ with CM paste
tried to use EZ-Flash to flash mobo BIOS...I'm dumb and can't figure it out
assembled entire computer outside of case
booted into Windows, heaved sigh of relief and changed pants
used mobo CD to install ASUS Update and used BIOS .bin from previous attempt at using EX Flash to install new BIOS offline
rebooted into BIOS, confirm BIOS has been updated
remove all non-essential parts, remove 3800+
install 5000+ again with AS5, it goes in a little easier this time
install HS
as I'm placing mobo into case, realize that HS is backwards
unscrew HS, AS5 is really holding onto that CPU, just like before
twist HS, slides but will not pop off of CPU
unfairly curse AS5
twist a lot more and pop off HS by applying pressure to just one side, comes off with a sickening *snap!*
turn HS around
install HS again
boot out-of-case, no POST errors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BIOS recognizes CPU, running correct stock 2600Mhz
pray to the computer gods, giving thanks and offering surplus motherboard standoffs as offering for generosity

I have yet to complete the build, because I had to get some homework done! Ok, here is a bulleted list detailing some of the things which went wrong and how I corrected them or just got lucky! Bold things are main points.

I bought the CPU right when Newegg marked it down to $99.99, when it was pretty darn obvious that they would lower the price even more in their latest newsletter, as they always do! This is not a definitive mistake, but sometimes it's best to wait just a day or two to see what will happen to the price.
I started building on a tight schedule, with someone rushing me to leave. This was the cause of more than one error, for sure. Never build with a tight schedule unless someone's paying you to do it!
Oh course, the cause of most of my problems was that I had not updated my BIOS in quite some time before installing a brand-new processor. ALWAYS have an up-to-date BIOS before making any system hardware changes!
Without an extra CMOS battery, I would be hours behind where I am now. Keep extra "little things" like CMOS batteries around, just in case you need them! No, I didn't think a battery could just break for no apparent reason either, but my multimeter is telling me otherwise right now.
POST error codes mean that the motherboard works! Pretty obvious, but sometimes it's good to remember that when you're "screwed". Keep a level head!
Never tug hard on a HS to get it off of a CPU. It doesn't take much effort to rip out the CPU like I did here. Luckily, I only had a couple bent pins. Run your computer, preferably in the OS, to get the CPU to warm up and (hopefully), the paste to melt well enough so that you can pull the HS off later. Apparently AS5 is much stickier than my CM paste.
If you have to bend pins back: first, take some deep breathes to calm those shaky hands - you'll need a jeweler's eye and hand to put those pins back without breaking them. I used a cool trick I used before in my situation here - a sewing needle's eye is the perfect shape to go around a CPU pin and pull it back. Plus, when it won't easily bend anymore, you know it's straight! Simple physics.
Never force a CPU into the socket. Go at the pins again.
Don't install things backwards! It cost me about 30 minutes along with having to pull on the HS again with the knowledge that the last time, I bent my poor CPU's pins.

I think that's all. I hope I helped someone with this log!

killa_concept · 01-13-08

Scary look into an average day of a hectic, upgrading comp addict

Nice lessons learned though

Personally, In the past month, I've traded, upgraded and rebuilt sooo many times... Usually sleep deprived and with other things I should have been doing
In all this time, I only really got to play Crysis for about 30 minutes to an hour

SyncMaster753 · 01-13-08

are you not using the 5000+ now? what did you get it to

zacbrain · 01-13-08

dude, i always go through that every time i get a new mobo etc. cept 6/11 times i phailed :/

orbiter · 01-13-08

I read it all and felt every minute of that procedure. Sometimes I wonder why we even bother. Is it really the challange?

Guruboy · 01-13-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by SyncMaster753

are you not using the 5000+ now? what did you get it to

(I hate having to explain this!) my parents are divorced and now that I'm 18 I've replaced the old STUPID schedule with a week on/week off deal. Right now I'm at the house that doesn't contain my computer

My parents live in the same town though so I can get over there to finish building and do some OCing some time during the week...maybe even during a theoretical snow day tomorrow

I'll keep this updated since it is a "log".

Quote:

Originally Posted by orbiter

I read it all and felt every minute of that procedure. Sometimes I wonder why we even bother. Is it really the challange?

I do it for a single POST beep, I don't know about you guys

Starholdest · 01-14-08

I just checked the weather and you guys get snow days if you get 13 cms of snow? Geez...

I get 20 cms and I still go to school...Lol.

Guruboy · 01-14-08

Well you guys have some incredible snow-removal budgets...we just don't have time to get plows everywhere by the start of school. The snow started at midnight and we're supposed to get 1-2 inches per hour until 7PM...by the time school got out, it would be a mess. Plus Quebec is a city with public transportation, our the school board can't assume that everyone has a cleared driveway.

Syrillian · 01-14-08

ow... I felt every moment of your harrowing experience... probably due to your description being very close to what I experience most every time I approach a PC...

...and that darn Newegg... I swear that they intentionally taunt us as individuals with their pricing. They know when we have pressed the "place order" button, and have a dedicated server dish us up a lower price just to see the look on our faces... it looks something like this:

...or

...and then

... finally settling into a rash of verbal rage: :swearing:

+

for hangin' on the Sunny side.

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New CPU, same dumb Guruboy

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