Not sure how to test CPU for specific fault. W is not an error code they list.
I agree that two shouldn't fault together unless maybe large electrical storm and a real electrical surge.
There is some definitely wrong with PC.
Asus provides LED's to indicate faults, are any of them lit? Page 1-34 of manual. There is a specific led for CPU.
To summarise:
All POST LEDs (CPU, RAM, VGA, HDD) function normally - no fault indicated.
The XMP and TPU switches are set to disable.
BIOS overclocking is set to manual and left at normal.
CSM is disabled.
Secure boot is set to "other OS" ( cant find a way to disable it)
Fast Boot is disabled.
USB, DVD, HDD and SDD are all seen in BIOS when connected.
System crashes early during:
Win 10 clean install from bootable USB,
Win7 install from DVD,
Xubuntu OS run from iso on bootable USB
Memtest: ran 8 passes over 15 hours - no memory errors. (Im not sure if I am correct but in default it appeared to run 1 CPU core, If set to multi-threading with 4 cores in use system hung after about 1 hour with "cores 0 1 2 3 \ \ \ W"
No difference to above if I remove the graphics card and run monitor from onboard DVI
I still dont know what the problem is but I dont think its RAM (Memtest OK), nor the SDD or HDD (although they may be damaged - the problem with boot failure crash still exists if no drives are connected. Its not the graphics card so that leaves the CPU and MB. The MB is brand new but the CPU is not and was running when the previous MB died during start up. So im thinking that maybe its the CPU after all.
I will swap components around from son's PC at the weekend and see what happens.
Sorry, did you test the storage drives on another machine. I would do that as my first item.
Good luck and post back. Want to hear what you found.
I wont have access to another PC till the weekend - should be able to swap the storage devices and CPU
Latest update.
Tried a new SSD - no better - exaclty the same issues.
Contacted Aria from whom I bought the i5 - they dont do RMA for processor - have to go direct to Intel.
Contacted Intel - are arranging a RMA and hopefully a new CPU in return. Unfortunately the CPU has to go to the Netherlands via DHL - another 4 day wait before DHL will pick it up. So could be weeks before I get a result.
All rather frustrating.
When you have failed upgrades you sometimes can get useful information running the panther command and viewing error codes and log files.
Using control c then control v enter this command into administrative command prompt: C:\$Windows.~BT\Sources\Panther
Then see if you get an error code and/or log files:
setupact.log
setuperr.log
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...file-locations
Just to close this thread from my end.
Intel were great - my CPU was bust and they got a brand new CPU to me within days. The SSD and HDD were also kaput. So when the MB died, so did the CPU, SDD and HDD. What caused all this damage I'm afraid I dont know but Ive bought a new power supply as well, just in case. All working now and Win 10 installed without an issue.
Good idea on Power supply. If you still have the MB around did you notice any popped capacitors. Sound like you got a real surge. Where I live I use a UPS to compensate for low voltage and spikes.
nope - couldnt see anything wrong with the old MB.
I have surge protection in the power sockets to the PC. My son thinks it was a PSU problem and hence we swapped that too.
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