CPU is unworkable error - seems okay though??

[jaysel911]

Have just completed a completly new build, but on powerup I am getting the error 'CPU is unworkable or had been changed. Please recheck - CPU SOFT MENU'
When I check the soft menu - all looks okay.
If I press F1 and ignore the eror, the system POST's and attempts to boot - finds an empty disk and then asks for an OS boot disk. I put a VISTA disk in- it starts to copy files from the

DVD then freezes.
Sometimes I get a BSOD - STOP 0x0000008E (0xc0000005,0x8895951D7,0x85563BDC,0x0000000)

I tried removing 2 of the 4x1Gb sticks but this made no difference accept that the soft menu strangely showed the CPU as Quad 1.8Ghz (200x9,.0),4 cpus instead of 2.4Ghz (272x9.0)

I have checked the tempearture of the cpu, but this has not gone over 30 degrees.

My spec is:

Abit IP35 Dark Raider LGA775 Quad Core
Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 95w 2.4Ghz SLACR G0
4 x OCZ 1Gb Vista Upgrade Edition DDR2 PC2-6400 800MHz 50505015 Copper
Inno3D GeForece 8800 GT Overclocked Edition
250GB Western Digital Caviar SE16 SATA II 300 7200rpm 16MB cache
NEC Optiarc AD-7173A-0B Black 18x DVD ±RW/RAM DL LabelFlash oem
OCZ 600W with 120mm Fan GameXStream Power Supply
Antec Nine Hundred Gaming case


I am unsure if the issue is with the cpu or perhaps the memory.
As I am a software engineer, I am no guru when it comes to hardware. It maybe possible that I am using the incorrect memory, or that I have a problem with the cpu.

If anyone can help or point me in the right direction to troubleshoot this issue, it would be much appreciated.

Jay..

 

[akhilles]

What did you do before this problem? Try clearing cmos.

 

[night_wolf_in]

ehem, if u install vista 32 bit. then U HAVE TO USE ONLY 2 GIG RAM. that is stated in microsoft website.

well, rest of problem i cant really understand whats happening.

 

[RetiredChief]

first, Try what athilles said, clear cmos.
2nd, check memory voltage is at manuf specification.
3rd, run memtest86 (from bootable Disk). Try just one pair first, if it fails, then try just one stick at a time.

If memory pass, then check to see if you have the latest bios, if not update.

Forget night_wolf_in comment. XP, and Vista 32 bit can use up to a max of 4 gigs memory - (Short answer) It is just that you will only have 2.8 to 3.6 Gigs available for programs.

 

[skittle]

ehem, if u install vista 32 bit. then U HAVE TO USE ONLY 2 GIG RAM. that is stated in microsoft website...

What? Please dont post BS like that... a 32bit OS can very well use more than 2gb of ram...

Anyway @OP: clearing cmos should work, were you overclocking before? the default BUS speed for the q6600 should be 266mhz.

 

[Grimmy]

Sometimes I get a BSOD - STOP 0x0000008E

"STOP 0x0000008e" error message during Windows XP setup

I know that's XP, but it basically sounds like a memory problem. That may be do to perhaps the wrong voltage setting in the bios as well.

I'd test with memtestx86 like the others mentioned.

 

[jaysel911]

RetiredChief & Grimmy - you where both on the money.
The memory I was using requried 2.1v and the mobo was only supplying 1.8v. SHame it didn't mnention this in the installation docs!
Changed this and everything ran fine.
Thanks for the help.

night_wolf_in - thanks for the red herring. Thankfully, I know that Vista 32 runs fine with 4 Gb ram. However, as others quite correctly said, it will only allocate up to 3.6Gb to programs. I suggest you go and read the MS site yourself before you spout off incorrect info! ;0)

 

[ebrial]

I just built a PC with a similar problem, and it turned out to be a memory problem. In CMOS, I changed the automatic SPD setting for the DRAM to the correct frequency (800). And voila! "CPU is unworkable" goes bye-bye...

 

[Kari]

funny thing that memory issues causes CPU related error message 0_o
These things (PCs) are dummer than I thought, can't tell the difference between ram and cpu... lol