Any way to effectively test a CPU?

Hitchy Compaq Deskpro PIII, is there a way to definitively test the CPU to see if it could be the culprit?

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Doc
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reposting to hit the other groups.

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Doc

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'Hitchy' is a pretty vague symptom. If you could clarify the problem you're having, you'll get better feedback.

There isn't a practical way to test the processor outside of the PC. There also isn't a practical way to test the processor in a PC that is troublesome. The most widely used diagnostic procedure in a case where a faulty processor is suspected is to simply swap in a known good processor or swap the suspect processor into a known good system. Either process involves having additional hardware on hand to do the test. I suppose if you have an advanced understanding of processor architecture, you could scope test the pins during a failure condition. But the $1 / hr labor rate rule applies here. How much does a P III processor cost?

Most processors operate erratically due to cooling problems - loose or inoperational heat sink / fan assemblies. Most intermittently dead PCs are caused by motherboard problems. Almost all problems associated with poor performance / degraded performance are related to software.

Of course - any peripheral that is running off the system is a potential failure that can drag the whole thing down with it - intermittently OR consistently. That's why you'll always see reccomendations to remove ALL equipment except the motherboard, the processor, 1 stick of memory, the power supply, and the video card. NOTHING else is required for the machine to POST. If it doesn't POST at that point, you've narrowed the field of possibilities greatly and can swap out parts in that small group. If it does POST, adding components back into the mix one at a time is a good way to test for re-appearance of the failure.

Also - FWIW - In 10 + years of building / repairing / maintaining PCs, I've only seen two bad processors. Both were AMDs Athlons pulled off severely blown mainboards. I'd bet a bottle of Jack that the problem is NOT a bad PIII processor if the mainboard board is still running.

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Bob Kos

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