Processors troubleshooting

If you have any problems with your CPU, first you have to identify your make and model. If your computer can start windows right click on My Computer, click Properties and you will see listed your CPU make, model and speed.
If your CPU is damaged, Windows will crash, freez, or may not even start booting. The problem is that those symptoms appear also when your motherboard is damaged, so it's pretty hard to determine which one is to blame.
If you have recently installed a new processor or a heatsink, you may have not seated the processor correctly. If the processor sits at even a slight angle, the heatsink won’t sit flush against the CPU’s protective shield. Even small gaps between the heatsink and the processor will reduce your heatsink’s ability to cool your CPU. Remove the heatsink and then inspect the CPU and CPU socket.
Motherboard sockets have a lever or similar mechanism that locks the processor firmly into the socket. Lift this lever and then press the edges of the processor gently to make sure it is flush with the socket. Next, snap the lever back into place. Now remove the old thermal paste from the heatsink. You can use alcohol and a piece of cloth. Apply a thin and uniform layer of thermal paste over the heatsink.
Put the heatsink back to it's place according to it's instructions. Make sure that the heatsink power cable is connected before you start the computer. If your problem is not solve after properly placing the CPU in the socket and replacing the thermal paste, your CPU is not the problem.