Having an issue - Likely overheating.

[Epincus]

Okay, here's what's going on.

My CPU was starting to act funny, so I took a look at the thermals and found it at 85C. Ordered thermal paste, removed the heat sink, removed the grease and reapplied. Computer wouldn't even load windows before going down, this is with it off and waiting for 30min. Tried again, put a lot less grease on. Still not working. Tried it with NO grease and windows would now load again, but I couldn't get the system stable for more than 2-3min before it crashed.

I took a quick stab at trying to underclock it but couldn't get the computer to stabilize. Asked a friend, he says my cpu is likely shot. Trying to figure out a way to keep it working a bit longer. Following the thermal grease attempts, when I attempt to load the BIOS it'll lock up completely if I try checking the temperature.

So, is it purely a thermal issue or is there something else going screwy as well, and how (if possible) can I fix it?

[Shuemue]

Fans look like they're spinning at full speed?

[Olo401]

Hmm.. well it sounds like you did the thermal paste reapp fine (best method I found btw is a geltab-sized dot in the middle of the CPU shield). If you're still having problems though it does sound like the CPU is fried.

As to the cause... like Shue said are the fans working correctly & at the right speeds? Any unusual noise from them? Same thing for the intake & exhaust fans on your case too. Oh, and how old a machine are we talking about here.. what's your specs?