"System failed CPU test"

[GeneralSnake]

I have an AMD Athalon 64 processor, K8V SE Deluxe mobo, windows XP sp2.
So I shut down the computer normally, and then when I go to turn it back on, it doesn't start.
At all. I press the button a few more times, and notice that the fans are starting up a little, but nothing else is.
So I rapidly press it many times, and it works. It was very weird, like I had to charge it up or some crazy thing like that. The monitor never goes on, and I start to hear a noise coming from the headphones. There is some lady saying "System failed CPU test" over and over again, non stop.

So I ask some friends, and I was told that the processor may need to be dusted out. So I dust it out, and while doing so I noticed how extremely dirty the two fans on the power supply were. I gently unscrewed it and placed it a few inches aside to get a better angle to clean the fans with a Q-tip.

I hook everything back up, and now it does not work at all. The fans dont budge one bit, nothing starts it up. I have checked all the cables, they are in their sockets properly.
Does anyone have any ideas as to what could have happened, and what can be done?

[ultimatum]

Does the light on the motherboard go green when you turn on the pc?

[Broni]

I spent last 15 minutes, reading about this error, and I know even less, then before.
Many people with ASUS mobos with a very same problem.
Culprits went from dead CPU, dead mobo, dead PSU, and dead CMOS battery, and so on..

[kuszmania9999]

have you apply thermal grease?

[litespeed14]

ESD problem you think? Would almost be my guess! I know that Asus is great from the gate and I like there products. But, research shows 3-4 yrs max life. That may not help much, but I think you need to do some test & elimination. Starting w/PSU. If you have a SATA HDD, replace the cable..

[GeneralSnake]

ultimatum- before the whole power supply incident, it did go on, when the lady was talking. It was on steady, no blinking.
Kuszmania9999- Are you serious? Like, is there seriously something called thermal grease? Not making fun or anything, I just have NO idea what you are talking about, it sounds like something fake though.
And finally, litespeed14- I am not even close to being an expert, I probably wouldnt even call myself "knowledgeable". I mostly just FTP things and play online games, and make music. I dont know many technical names. So, if you would please, enlighten me as to what an ESD is? I am trying to think of something it could stand for, but I got nothing.
Thanks for your responses guys, I really appreciate it.
EDIT- Oh, Broni, what is a CMOS battery?

[RankenTech]

Kuszmania9999- Are you serious? Like, is there seriously something called thermal grease? Not making fun or anything, I just have NO idea what you are talking about, it sounds like something fake though.

...

Oh, Broni, what is a CMOS battery?

Thermal grease is an extremely conductive paste-like substance that is applied to the CPU before the heatsink is put on. It is used to create a seal between the processor and the heatsink, and to conduct heat away from the processor to the heatsink so it can be dissipated. This is REQUIRED. if you've removed the heatsink from the CPU, you need to apply a new layer of thermal paste to insure a proper seal.

The CMOS battery is on your motherboard. It is used to maintain a small voltage to the CMOS chip, which holds your BIOS. Your BIOS holds all of your hardware settings, such as CPU voltage, boot sequence, etc. If your CMOS battery is bad, or going bad, it can cause a few different errors upon bootup.

[WillyW]

Reference material on thermal grease (worth bookmarking):
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm
and
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/274

Reference material on CMOS battery:
Click  here and see a nice close up pic, in another thread here.  Courtesy of patio.

http://www.computerhope.com/help/cmos.htm
and
"How to replace the CMOS battery"
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000239.htm

[GeneralSnake]

OK, thanks for the info guys. Now, with the information I provided, what does everyone think the problem may be? Right now, it sounds like it can be anything, is there any way to narrow it down?

[kuszmania9999]

Kuszmania9999- Are you serious? Like, is there seriously something called thermal grease? Not making fun or anything, I just have NO idea what you are talking about, it sounds like something fake though

sometimes other people hard to believe any fact that i provide or suggest, but anyway tq for the quick reply from Rakentech & willy w while im away.

[GeneralSnake]

Kuszmania9999- Are you serious? Like, is there seriously something called thermal grease? Not making fun or anything, I just have NO idea what you are talking about, it sounds like something fake though

sometimes other people hard to believe any fact that i provide or suggest, but anyway tq for the quick reply from Rakentech & willy w while im away.

Man, it has nothing to do with who said it. Some sort of powerful deity could have told me and I would have thought he was pullin my leg too.