Fried Motherboard? Computer won't boot 3

[Rinnt]

Hi all,

Yesterday I tried to turn on the computer but received no response. My initial reaction was to check the plugs to make sure nothing had been kicked out of place. Everthing was fine. Next I replaced the powersupply thinking that it died. Still no response. My next logical conclusion would be that the motherboard is dead, because as far as I know, the comptuer will still boot if the CPU and RAM are bad... The computer worked fine the night before and we did not have any surges that I am aware of (computer was off during the night). I don't know what could have happend... Would you agree that it is the motherboard I need to replace?? If so, can you recommend a good brand perferably with a decent warrenty? This comes at a horrible time as cash is limited and we were already planning on shelling out some $$ for other upgrades. Hopefully its only one component broken. Thanks in advance!!!

 

[viol8ion]

Before you go replacing your mobo, I would look elswhere. When you power on with the new power supply, does anything happen? If not, then I would be concentrating on the power switch, the switch is more likely to go bad than the mobo with this sort of problem.

When in doubt, deny all terms and defnitions.

http://www.wuli.com

 

[Rinnt]

This is encoraging news viol8ion! Or at least it provides hope that I may not need to shell out $70+ for a new mobo =). I cheked the switch in the sense that I made sure the wires connected to the mobo. But as far as physically checking if the switch was completing the circuit - I'm not sure how to do that.

No, Nothing happends with the good powersupply. I expected to see a fan twitch or here a slight noise. Only the clicking of my hitting the power switch. It is ATX if you didn't already assume... How can I check the actual switch??

Thanks!!

 

[viol8ion]

First, make sure thatthe on/off swirch cables are plugged into your mobo securely. If so, and your fan is not blowing at all after powering on, and you are absolutely certain that your wall outlet has power, I would suggest buying a power switch (or borrowing one if you have salvaged boxes anywhere). It is fairly easy to replace and very likely the cause. At least it is the cheapest solution. I would recommend jumping the connections on the mobo as a cheap test, but that can be dangerous to the machine if you are not careful.

When in doubt, deny all terms and defnitions.

http://www.wuli.com

 

[kippy13]

Hi,
Troubleshoot a dead PC:
1. Check plug socket with another electricial device to ensure that plug socket is "live"
2. Check power cables and replace with known working one.(if the monitor power cable is working, swop this with the box cable.
3.Check power setting on back of box (I think it reads 240 or 110(depending on region-make sure it hasnt been change), if this has happened the power supply is blown.
4. reseat all connections and parts within the case, memory, hardrive, cables and processor if possible.
5.Try to switch on PC again, Make sure that the actual power switch in the PC is connecting(this may sometimes go wrong ig the case isnt fitted properly.
6.Remove DIMMs, try to power up...any noise or beeps???
7. Replace Dimms, remove harddrive...any noise or beeps?
8. " Remove floppy.....
9.Remove any devices or peripherals in order.
10.replace everything.
11.Are there any lights on on the mobo when its plugged in?
12. Next step would be the processor(u'd be better off if it was the board and not the proc that was gone)
Let me know how well u get on as far as step 11.
JP
PS As per usual ensure u are stacically protected when carrying out this and ensure u take care when dealing with power.


"Sometimes I do not know but I try hard"- R.F. Haughty 1923

 

[Rinnt]

These are all excellent suggestions! Since I'm rather pressed for time may I do the following:

1) Swap power cables
2) Swap power outlets
3) Using a known good ATX case, put the jumper to that switch
4) Unplug all perpherials (not CPU and RAM tho?)
5) Hit the switch and pray

A bad CPU and RAM wouldn't keep it from booting, would it? It wouldn't completely shock me if it were the switch since the computer had accumulated so much dust in it.

A couple things I'm not to sure on: #3 and 4. How would the voltage setting be switched? And how would the connections of internal hardware change? Chip creep? heh, I thought that only applied to older systems but I guess it doesn't hurt to check.

Still, wouldnt' you agree that a mobo w/known good powersupply, switch, cable and outlet should at least turn the CPU fan? Well we'll see - I won't be able to test this for several more hours, but thanks again for all the excellent advice. I'll try to keep you all posted.

 

[viol8ion]

Rinnt,

Are the fans in the case or on the power supply working? If not... concentrate on the power switch. if they are working, then begin delving deeper.

When in doubt, deny all terms and defnitions.

http://www.wuli.com

 

[Rinnt]

I have both. The CPU fan is drawing power from the mobo, but the exhaust and intake fans use power directly from the powersupply... Oh yes, and of course there is the fan in the PS.

I was watching the CPU and intake/exhuast fans before - I should look at the PS fan as well, I guess (in a tough spot).

 

[BadBigBen]

Hi there,

Rinnt you can always switch the RESET button with the POWER button to test the switch... since the RESET doesn't get used as often as the POWER switch...

then I would also suggest you unplug all front USB, IDE and FD connections from the MOBO, remove all PCI cards (except GFX), use one RAM module, and try POSTing... do listen to any beeps that you might hear! and post them here...

if the mobo doesn't post, try another GFX card that is known as a good one, also check that it is seated correctly... can hamper POST...

Ben

 

[viol8ion]

Okay, fans are working, now to get your hands dirty! Power switch is good...

BadBigBen offered good advice for the next steps... forget switching the power switches, you have power to the fans which means the swithes are fine.

Before you go too crazy, I would unseat and reseat every board (with power off) and remove CPU, reseat it. Do the same with all cables. Push in (gently but firmly) all chips. Then see if it boots. A lot of times these problems are cause by component creep, where somethng just works its way loose over time.

When in doubt, deny all terms and defnitions.

http://www.wuli.com

 

[kippy13]

Hi,
Since the fans are working u can disregard the first five steps.
To answer your questions, the CPU can cause these issues in the machines and I have seen it happen at least three times with Dell PC's that the CPU is fried and the machine wont boot.
Do as all have mentioned after me and work through each component.
One thing that we may have missed is the CMOS battery, may be worth replacing as well.
I have a feeling that this issue is to do with the CPU.
Let me know how things go.

"Sometimes I do not know but I try hard"- R.F. Haughty 1923

 

[Rinnt]

I could protect my ego and just not follow up to this thread or simply admit a VERY STUPID mistake... Last night I went home to try the steps suggested. After switching power cables and outlets w/the computer and monitor, I noticed the monitor did not work. Since I was not fully ready to accept the outlet on the surge protector was bad, I took a closer look (why, oh why didn't I check this before). It seems the surge protector switch to this one computer had been turned off! Since that "middle switch" is never used and is always in an on state, I never thought to double check it. Here's a rough diagram

<computer-0-pwr_switch>---<surge-0-middle_switch----0-Main_switch>---<power_outlet>

The only switches used are the computer switch and main switch. There is no need to use the middle one. Man, I'm sorry guys. I hope I haven't wasted your time =/. Still, this is been a learning experience for me:

1) Sloooooooooooow down. Don't just to conclusions
2) Check the simple things first, stupid =P
3) Next, don't assume a dead board, check every item in line
4) Asus Motherboards are nice, check them out during next upgrade =)

Any follow up comments or curses will be accepted. Once again, I thank you all for your help, and from saving me an uneeded $70+ purchase!

 

[kippy13]

Its a simple mistake to make but again highlights the point at starting with the basics.


&quot;Sometimes I do not know but I try hard&quot;- R.F. Haughty 1923

 

[viol8ion]

Actually not a waste of time... it is an excercise that will allow others to realise to always start with the basic, simple things when troubleshooting. Go for the obvious (which is not always obvious) first!

Glad you got it working!

When in doubt, deny all terms and defnitions.

http://www.wuli.com

 

[BadBigBen]

Hip Hip Hooray!

Glad that you found the problem, and am glad it wasn't costly...

Don't worry things like this happens to all of us...

and you didn't waste our time! it's a learning experience and as kippy13 said '...but again highlights the point at starting with the basics!'

Ben

PS - Thnx for the Star (to Whomever gave it to me...)

 

[dazzaboy]

Hi Rinnt,

Thats the beauty of PC repair, no matter in which order you check things .. it's always the last thing you try that works!!

Don't be too hard on yourself

The secret to being a good technician is learn by your mistakes and if you run out of ideas ask somebody else. D

Cheers,

DaZ

 

[Rinnt]

Thanks again for the help guys... Indeed, a lesson was learned =)