What hardware problem do I have?

[MechanicalMan]

400W Seasonic SS
Shuttle AN35-Ultra
Barton 2500+ @ 2.2GHz
512 MB PC3200 Kingston VR (single channel, @ 2.5-3-3-7)

A few weeks ago I started having major stability problems. The first thing I noticed was that CCE would crash constantly, but even my browser (Firefox), etc. began crashing. The problem kept getting worse, and eventually CCE could not finish the first segment during encoding. So last night and today I ran Memtest and Prime95 (I also put the system back to stock, 166 FSB with timings 3-3-3-8). Memtest did show errors (LOTS of errors). Prime95 seemed to do fine in the small FFT test, but large FFT and blended tests locked (FFT) and crashed (blended) my system instantly. The system locked up during Memtest earlier, and I was able to boot back into Windows. But Win was screwed up, and I couldn't run any programs. Now when I try to boot up, the system hangs during POST. I cannot enter the BIOS settings or Windows. Oh, and the power button won't shutdown the system.

So I was starting to think this must be a memory problem. BUT I noticed something really strange. My vcore was set at 1.75, and while in my bios earlier, I noticed that the reading was 1.73. So I raised the vcore to 1.825. The reading was then somewhere around 1.8, at least pretty close to what I would expect. But later when I was in my bios (right before my system died), I noticed the reading was something extremely low, like 1.63. So...what the hell is going on? I don't have access to any other DIMMs, so I don't know what to do.

BTW, this is the system I've been using since Dec '03, and it was stable until a few weeks ago.

 

[Mrpilot007]

So the system has been overclocked for over a year? I do know that overclocking shortens the lifespan of the cpu. I know that the 2500+ barton is the recommended cpu to use for overclocking bc it is so stable. The factory clock speed for that chip is 1.83ghz and you have had it at 2.2ghz. I wouldn't be surprised if it finally is giving out but don't take my word for it

 

[TRUMPHENT]

I would reseat everything removable. Clear the CMOS so the overclocking/overvolting is deleted and you are using default settings. Hopefully, you can get the computer to run again at stock speed.

Did you have to raise the cpu voltage in order to get to 2.2ghz?

 

[blodhi74]

I suspect the PSU. Try a different PSU with stock speed.

 

[MechanicalMan]

Thanks guys, sorry for not replying sooner. I took a closer look at everything earlier and noticed that part of my motherboard is fried. So hopefully everything else will still be okay. I think I'm too poor to switch to 939 right now, so...*sigh*...I guess I'll just buy another socket A board. I'd actually like to replace it with the same board (not looking forward to reinstalling Windows, and I liked the board), but I guess it isn't available anymore. So now I'm looking for another cheap board that will accommodate my CNPS7000A.

edit: Eh..on second thought, maybe I will upgrade. I hate the thought of speding more money on socket A.