Motherboard shot?

[GingerR]

looking at a friend's Compaq Presario (i know i know) ~ last week started this thing where upon powering up, the first few lines of code come up, then flips directly to Compaq splash screen, then back and forth, endlessly. never gets to boot, not from floppy either. I figure it's the motherboard? I put HD in my machine and it boots fine.

i can install drives and cards and such, but don't know anything about motherboards. are there separate thingies attached to the m-board that could be the issue? or the whole thing? i'm taking him today to buy whole new system (being illiterate he feels more comfy doing that which is fine with me) but i want to know. especially if i am able to swindle him out of the dead one

thanks--g

 

[ramani]

Hmmmmmmm Dont follow, who is swidling who... But good heart will always give a long time happiness. One will never be happy to swidle another till end.. Philosophical

But my advice will be to first check if the existing units is realy not worth that and then go for new units. Every six months, something new will surface. So waiting that little time when the current thing is OK will be a good idea to save money.

SO what is OK? What is need.. one shall decide (with no intention to swindle!).

If you reach the BIOS and do a reset, if you check the CPU Fan, if there is one.. or ONE of the failing componnts.. you could be out of trouble and keep running the unit.

SURELY NOT WORTH PAYING A HIGH PRICE FOR SERVICING

ramani :-9
(Subramanian.G),FoxAcc, ramani_g@yahoo.com

 

[Cragger]

It could be many things...from bad memory (RAM) to a faulty BIOS, and yes, a bad motherboard. Usually, though, the motherboard itself doesn't just go "bad" unless it is made to. Check the usual things associated with the MB, but if your getting a new one for him, thats the best bet yet.

 

[GingerR]

hey all-thanks for replies. like i said he's going out to buy a new system today, not being a computer guy he's more comfortable doing that. 6 months ago he got new sound card, video card, HD (HD died), modem...so parts are good. as an inquisitive always-wanting-to-learn girl with a screwdriver, i just wanted to know what i could check on and try to fix/rebuild myself, just for something to do. not for him.

Cragger-you say "Check the usual things associated with the MB" but that's why i'm writing here--i dont' know those things. I thought BIOS settings - you get to upon startup hitting F1 or whatever it says? i've been there before, but like i said this machine doesnt get that far. only does a few lines of DOS(?) then switches back and forth to compaq splash screen. doesn't recognize keyboard strokes or anything. is BIOS something else too?--a physical part that i can check?

thanks-g

 

[edfair]

If you get dos/splash screen you are past cmos setup. When it is booting, you may get a block cursor in top left, then try [F10]. think that's what Compaq uses. At least earlier did. Ed Fair
efair@atlnet.com

Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply.

Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[Jakespeare]

First, I would'nt spend my valuable time to work on a Compaq (for free). However,,,,,,,,, you can always salvage all the good parts: Buy a REAL case, a generic ATX, and a new mainboard (with new CPU fan). You have a "new" computer. (Better yet, along with the case - buy a NEWER mainboard, and a $60 AMD ATHLON,

http://www.newegg.com

and a 256 MB stick of RAM)

> ON the Compaq;
** I would try one thing: (since it's toast anyway at this point).

> UNPLUG POWER;
> FIND THE BATTERY;
> REMOVE BATTERY
> WAIT 1 MINUTE
> REINSTALL
> BOOT UP

> What happens ?

That totally resets the BIOS to default.
(If you had a good manual, and could find the jumper that is best, but that is probably out of the question with a Compaq manual..........)

Nothing to lose.........

 

[Guest_imported]

GingerR,

If you really want to fool around with some computer
hardware, never start with a big guy like COMPAQ,
they don't want you touch anything inside. I remember
in some bad old days when I tried to open a COMPAQ,
the power supply wasn't the type I had when I was usually
using to assemble computer for my clients. Even the power
connectors are different, da**.