Member Avatar for Doug4117

My system runs slowly after I reboot. To make it run at normal speed I have to leave it powered off for at least 10 minutes. This problem is not related to the operating system or the programs running. The problem shows up whether I'm running Windows XP or Windows 98. It shows up even if I have freshly reformatted the hard drive and reinstalled the OS. I've even tried replacing the motherboard and this didn't help.

If I start the system from a cold boot (it's been powered off for 10 minutes or longer) it runs at normal speed and it NEVER slows down as long as I don't reboot.

What could cause this? Could it be the CPU? The RAM? Some odd BIOS setting?

The CPU is an Athlon XP 1700+ and the RAM is two 256MB sticks of PC2100 DDR. There are only two DIMM sockets. Nothing is overclocked. I've tried removing one of the DIMM modules (in case the modules didn't like each other) but that didn't improve things. (The modules are identical, if that matters.)

The only thing I can think of to do next is to replace the CPU, but I thought replacing the MB would be a sure fix, so I don't want to throw my money away (again).

This is a self-built system; if I ever build another one it WON'T have an AMD processor. SIGH.

Any suggestions? Ever hear of anyone else having this problem?

Thanks!

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by dcc

Dani AI

Generated

— good troubleshooting so far, and ’s note about cooling is sensible. Because you already swapped the motherboard, the next highest-probability culprits are the power delivery (PSU or VRMs) or the CPU behaving differently when warm. The pattern you describe — OK after a long cold-off but slow after a reboot — commonly points to parts that change behavior as they heat up (failing PSU caps/regulators, a warm CPU throttle, or marginal voltages).

Try these targeted, low-cost tests in order:

  • Swap in a known-good PSU or test the rails with a meter/PSU-tester. Check 12V/5V/3.3V under idle and load; ATX rails should stay within about +/-5%. A dropping rail or noisy output when warm will explain sudden slowdowns.
  • Run with the minimum hardware (CPU, one DIMM, onboard video or minimal GPU). Boot into BIOS or a small bootable tester and watch responsiveness. Run Memtest86 to rule out RAM errors that only show when modules heat.
  • Monitor temps and voltages before and after a reboot (software like hardware monitors or BIOS readings). If CPU temperature spikes or Vcore falls when the system slows, that narrows it to cooling, thermal paste, or voltage regulation.
  • Swap the CPU into another working board, or try a different compatible CPU in yours. Since replacing the motherboard did not help, this isolates the CPU vs PSU/other components.
  • Inspect PSUs and caps (on PSU, motherboard, and video card) for bulging or leakage; re-seat the heatsink and reapply fresh thermal paste while checking fan operation.

Do not change voltages in BIOS unless you know the safe limits. Start with a PSU swap and a CPU-in-other-board test; those two will usually identify whether the CPU itself is at fault before spending money on a replacement.

Member Avatar for dcc

When was the last time you clean out the dust from the CPU heat sink fan assembly? You could be verging on a overheating issue.

btw...there is nothing wrong with AMD, some of the earlier CPUs may have run rather warm, but they are still good.

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