Member Avatar for JYeagler

Hello all, I'm really sorry if this is a double post but I am new to these forums and have encountered a problem that is quite frustrating. I have an HP Pavilion desktop that I am upgrading. It is the a1328x model. Since purchase I have upgraded RAM (no problems), replaced the video card (no problems) and upgraded from Windows XP Media Center Edition to Windows 7 Professional. Recently with my income tax money I have chosen to upgrade the video card once again and purchase a new processor. After studying the specs of my motherboard via the HP website I found the equipment I needed and ordered. Video card and processor were installed with minimal problems on the hardware spec. The processor that came with my motherboard was 533mhz Front Side Bus. The new processor is 800mhz Front Side Bus. The PC seems to boot correctly and slightly faster. My problem is a couple times every hour everything freezes for about a minute, like the computer is trying to process something and then comes out of it. This problem occurred after the processor upgrade, otherwise I've had no problems. Anyones professional opinion on why the PC might freeze would be great. Thanks in advance!

Justin

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Brief recap: reported intermittent ~1‑minute freezes after a CPU upgrade, tried a PSU swap and reverted to the old CPU with no clear fix. Earlier comments from and raised BIOS/thermal concerns and noted limited factory BIOS updates. Below is a compact, priority‑ordered troubleshooting workflow that builds on those points and focuses on tests that reliably separate hardware from software causes.

  1. Correlate freezes with logs — use Windows Reliability Monitor and Event Viewer (System/Application) to note exact timestamps and any WHEA, driver, disk, or power events.
  2. Memory sanity check — run MemTest86 (bootable) for at least one full pass (or Windows Memory Diagnostic) to rule out RAM errors.
  3. Temperature and cooling — monitor CPU/GPU temps with HWMonitor/Core Temp while idling and under stress. Reseat the cooler, verify an even, thin thermal compound layer and correct mounting pressure.
  4. Stress tests — run a CPU stress (Prime95/Blend) and a GPU stress (FurMark) separately while watching temps and stability. If only GPU load triggers freezes, suspect the video card/driver or its power draw.
  5. Driver/OS isolation — perform a clean video driver removal (DDU in Safe Mode) and reinstall. Boot a Linux live USB for several hours; repeated freezes there indicate hardware rather than Windows drivers.
  6. PSU and connectors — even upgraded PSUs can be faulty or under‑spec on 12V rails. Swap in a known‑good supply or use a PSU tester/multimeter. Inspect motherboard caps and connectors for damage.
  7. BIOS and compatibility — confirm the CPU appears in the OEM CPU support list and use only the official OEM BIOS; reset BIOS to defaults so no manual FSB/voltage tweaks persist.

If freezes continue after these steps, the fault is most likely motherboard or CPU related (or a marginal/refurbished CPU). The above sequence narrows the failing component quickly and documents results for warranty/RMA or a justified rebuild decision.

Recommended Answers

All 11 Replies

Member Avatar for sinnerFA

Have you done a BIOS/Firmware upgrade on the machine yet?
Did you use doping between the new Processor and Fan?

It's hard to say, but if it boots fine and runs for x amount of time, I would think it's either a overheating issue, power supply-related issue, or a BIOS-related issue.

Start with the BIOS upgrade if you haven't already and give it a whirl...

HTHs

Member Avatar for JYeagler

Well after researching the internet I was debating the BIOS upgrade but the sites that I have found want me to pay a membership fee in order to get a fee. I forgot to mention that I did upgrade the power supply to 500w about a year ago. I'm not quite sure what 'doping' is. After reading a few more forum posts I'm starting to think its an overheating issue.

Member Avatar for JYeagler

Well after researching the internet I was debating the BIOS upgrade but the sites that I have found want me to pay a membership fee in order to get a fee. I forgot to mention that I did upgrade the power supply to 500w about a year ago. I'm not quite sure what 'doping' is. After reading a few more forum posts I'm starting to think its an overheating issue.

From what I understand I need to pay a membership to get the BIOS updates... Any ideas?

Member Avatar for Biker920

Have you done a BIOS/Firmware upgrade on the machine yet?
Did you use doping between the new Processor and Fan?
HTHs

Doping (silicon heat sink grease) a dielectric heat transfer compound some times used between heat sink and processor. Your processor install guide will indicate if and where to apply grease,grease is usually supplied in upgrade kit. Later---

Member Avatar for JYeagler

Doping (silicon heat sink grease) a dielectric heat transfer compound some times used between heat sink and processor. Your processor install guide will indicate if and where to apply grease,grease is usually supplied in upgrade kit. Later---

My processor didn't come with any kind of documentation. I bought it from newegg.com and I guess it was refurbished so I got it in a padded box. I used Arctic Silver thermal compound before putting everything back together.

Member Avatar for caperjack

From what I understand I need to pay a membership to get the BIOS updates... Any ideas?

search maker of the boards website for free bios update for your model board

Member Avatar for caperjack

ill save yo uthe time looking for bios as it appears there is none newer than 2004

Member Avatar for sinnerFA

Here is the link to the HP website for the motherboard:

It says that it "Updates microcode to support newer Intel processors."

And it takes your current BIOS version to 3.08 as of 03/21/2006

HTHs

btw: this the American website, the link above was for the Danish revision of this computer.

Edited by sinnerFA because: n/a
Member Avatar for JYeagler

Well my BIOS is already up to date... Apparently it has been since I got the computer... I may just put the old processor back in and call it a day.

Member Avatar for JYeagler

I'm 90% sure I've narrowed my problem down to being my power supply. I get paid on wednesday so I'm gonna buy a new power supply and within another couple of days I'll mark this as solved. Thank you to everyone who has given me your feedback it was greatly appreciated :)

Member Avatar for JYeagler

Well as it turns out the upgraded power supply did not help fix the problem. My BIOS is the most up to date it can get and I've put the old processor back in. The only problem I've noticed now is a slight damper in performance in the old processor. I have a feeling it could be because of the new graphics card... I think its time to build a new PC...

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