How to tell if Processor dead?

[DamG]

OK, here's the situation. I inherited a machine from a friend who was tired of it freezing on him, and had already bought a new machine. I played around with it a bit, wiped the hard drive, and found that it seemed to be running OK. I installed Win2K, and let it run for a bit. It seemed OK, but once I started applying patches and such, it started freezing up. After pondering it for a bit, I started monitoring the temperatures, and found that the temps were getting up above 50 C when it would freeze. In looking inside the case, it was no wonder, since there was hardly any cooling at all. I bought some new fans and installed them, but when I went to boot it up, it wouldn't boot. The fans would turn on, but it would just sit there. The motherboard is an Epox 8KTA3, and the BIOS POST code on the LED is 88 (or BB; neithor of which is in any of the documentation).

The only reasoning why I think it's not working now is that the last time I ran it without the new fans it fried the processor (or something). I've since replaced the heatsink/fan as well, to no avail. I've pulled everything out of the case except the motherboard and processor, and I still can't get it to go past 88 in the LED (it starts at 88 and doesn't leave there).

Is there any way to tell if this is in fact a processor problem, or do I just need to start buying new parts, and see what fixes the problem? I pulled off the processor, and it looks just the same as any other new processor, so there are no physical signs of any damage. Any help appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Check its pulse? ::rimshot::
Sorry, couldn't resist
Seriously though, the only way I know of to check if a CPU's dead is to try it in multiple mobos and see if it POSTs in any of them.
Sorry to hear about your troubles, and I wish you the best of luck in getting your system working again! Until then have a :beer:

 

[DamG]

Dang, that's what I figured. Oh well, time to hit Newegg...

Thanks.