CPU problem (most likely)

alright well ive had a AMD 64 3500+ in a LanParty nf4 ultra-d under my bed for the last 6 months and i figured i'd make a new comp out of it.

the reason i stopped using it in the first place was because it shut down 5 secs into start-up. before that it would get up too the loading windows screen and id get a BSOD for 0.1 of a sec and it would reboot. i only got into windows after a number of BSOD's. same would happen in safe mode

i then took off everything i didnt need to start the computer DVD rom, floppy's hard disks and after slowly started replaceing parts, PSU, RAM, and i also removed the graphics card (even though i couldnt see what was happening i could tell it was still restarting because the fan would speed up and slow down, plus im currently using the same card in a diffrent computer)

All that was left to check was the processor or motherboard but i didnt have any spare 939 processors or motherboards.

im guessing the processor is at fault be cause i started getting the BSOD about once every 2 weeks, right after i tried overclocking. but no matter how much i underclocked or turned down the voltage it still kept resetting till eventually i couldnt even get to the bios.

and now i dunno how i can possible fix it except for buying new parts, but i dont know whether to buy a processor or motherboard (i can only buy one because im on a budget of $50)

any help at all would be greatly appreciated

thank you in advanced

PS:the processor never overheated according to speed fan and sandra

Every time you get a BSOD from overclocking, that's a bad overclock. You need to reset the CMOS every time for proper clearance of bad values. Reset your CMOS, I bet you'll find it works fine.

like the OP said he downclocked and lowered the voltage and no matter what it was still doing BSOD. and i doubt he didnt think about resetting the bios. usually BSOD are caused by bad memory, chipset, hardrive faillure or drivers. I bet that it is a motherboard problem and not a cpu problem. maybe a dead chipset that cant handle memory no more. i realy doubt it is the cpu. it takes alot of volts to kill a cpu.

hmm ok well i think ill try resetting the CMOS first since i cant loose anything...

to reset it i just take the battery out for about 30seconds right?

i've never done this before only read about it, anything i should know before hand?

there is probably a jumper next or close to the battery that has 3 pins and it is probably written cmos beside. the jumper is probably set to pin 1 and 2 move it to pin 2 and 3 for 30seconds and then put it back to pin 1 and 2. it will reset the bios. you can also try to remove the battery, but with some motherboard by just removing the batterie it is not enough you also need to reset the jumper. so try the jumper only first.

i excuse my self to weevil because i thought he already reseted the jumper. so like weevil said it is probably because of the bios that you get the BSOD and by reseting it you will put back everything to default. dont exclude my first opinion tho because it is still plosible and you could also check and make sure at 100% that your memory isnt bad because BSOD are mostly occuring because of bad memory.

alight well im gonna reset it as soon as i can get a 20 to 24 pin connverter for the power supply

but im not quite understanding what memory your talking about.
ive removed the hard drives and i've used different ram... im guessing your talking about some small memory chip somewhere on the motherboard for the bios or something?

can you please clarify before i start asking stupid questions lol
thanks