bad mobo? just not sure please help

[JCROCCO]

The computer kept locking up on me.

I ran a memory tester memtest86+ and it would freeze up. I took out a stick of memory, ran test and froze. I swapped memory, and still froze. I used memory from an identicle other machine, still froze. So its not a memory issue I would think.

I ran a cpu test using hot cpu tester. It froze. I ran it in safe mode, it froze. I ran it 5 times total, each time froze within 2 minutes.

I took out the CPU and swapped it from the other identical computer, but when I did I broke the tab holding on the heat sink. It now frezes more often.

So, I took the CPU from the problem machine and put it into the identical machine and ran the CPU test on that machine. It ran fine and passed. So I dont think it was the CPU then.

So, if it was freezing up and I eliminated the memory and the CPU as the culprit, what else can it be other than the mobo?

I may either replace the mobo, or replace the whole computer.

 

[mechBgon]

If you run memtest86+ and it locks up, that doesn't eliminate the memory and memory controllers as the culprit. I'd think rather the contrary. Can you give some info on your specific hardware, like your brand & model of motherboard and RAM?

I took out the CPU and swapped it from the other identical computer, but when I did I broke the tab holding on the heat sink.

:Q

Ok, which computer has the busted tab, and what kind of motherboard is it?

 

[JCROCCO]

I dont see how that can be a factor.

I have two identical computers, with the same mobo, the same memory sticks, and the same CPU. One keeps locking up on me.

I tested the BAD computer first with mem tester using both 1 gig sticks, it froze. I took one stickout, it still froze, I put the other stick in and took the one that was in out, and it still froze. So I took memory from the GOOD computer, and it still froze.

So, I ran cpu tester. It also froze. I ran it in safe mode, it froze. I ran it a few different times different ways, it still froze.

I was going to swap the cpus from the Good computer to the BAD computer, but when I went to do that, I realiaze I broke the tab off of the BAD computer. Its not sitting ont he CPU very well, and now freezed up right away.

So, to test the BAD CPU I put it in the GOOD computer and ran the test for the CPU and it ran fine.

These test tell me the memory and the CPU should be OK, but still what I dont know is what IS bad on the BAD computer (besides the broken tab). I am not sure if I want to just replace the CPU, or just rebuild a new computer.

If the memory and the CPU works good on the GOOD computer, but not the bad, what else can it be?

 

[GaryJohnson]

If the memory and the CPU works good on the GOOD computer, but not the bad, what else can it be?

Motherboard or PSU?

 

[mechBgon]

So what you're saying is that because both the memory test and the CPU test locked up, you think the memory alone cannot be the problem. I don't think that's entirely logical, since giving the CPU a workout is going to require involving the memory subsystem too.

Anyway, it sometimes does help to know what hardware you've got. You never know what a guy with 29000 posts might suddenly remember

 

[JCROCCO]

Good point. I was just trying to figure out the problem by elimination. My logic seems correct, but what I am asking is does all this point JUST to the MOBO, or could it be something else, other than the memory and CPU. The above poster suggested PSU. I could swap those out too. I could put the BAD PSU in the good computer that already has the BAD computers memory and CPU. If the test runs fine, then I can assume its neither of those 3, correct?

If the good computer then failed, I would assume it is a bad PSU, which is better than replacing the MOBO or the whole computer.

Anyway here you go.

AMPTRON P4 M922LU Mobo
Samsung 1gb DDR 33 MHz PC2700 X 2
Intel P4 socket 478 2.8 GHz SL6PF
NVIDIA GEForce FX5500

Mmmmm, could it be the video card? It is pretty new. though I kind of doubt it since I tested it in safe mode and still had problems.

Any hep is appreciated.

 

[mechBgon]

If you can narrow it down to the CPU or motherboard after trying the PSU test, then I bet you could score a used motherboard from For Sale & Trade quite cheap, probably about the same amount you'd spend for a new plastic heatsink-retention cage (they're $20 plus shipping at Directron). And if the CPU ends up being the culprit, a used Northwood P4 2.8 probably won't cost you much either.

 

[mechBgon]

Hey, I found an affordable replacement heatsink-retention frame, if that helps: http://www.centrix-intl.com/details.asp?productid=585

 

[JCROCCO]

Great, Thanks. I will swap the PU and see what happens. Since the CPU retension is broken on the BAD machine, and the BAD computers memory and CPU i in the Good machine and tested fine, if I put the PSU in the GOOD machine, and it fails, I should guess its the PSU then. If it doesnt, its the MOBO.

If it is the PSU, then I will most likely just replace the PSU and the Heat sink retension frame.

Thanks for the link and everyones help. I will report back when I find out.

 

[JCROCCO]

Well, The GOOD computers has the BAD computers 2-1G memorys, the CPU and the PSU and it still ran fine and passed the CPU test.

What else could cause it to lock up often, and especially when running either a memorytester or a CPU tester?

If it was the PSU, I would have just replaced it, and fixed the broken retainer, but now I dont know what to fix . . Other than the broken retainer.

That new system is looking pretty good!

Any other advice?

 

[mechBgon]

Maybe the memory controllers on the motherboard are flaky. I also had a motherboard once that I accidentally knocked a tiny little surface-mounted resistor off of it, and it was crashing all the time after that. Evidently that resistor was important

One other thing you could look for, is capacitors that are bulging like canned food gone bad (both ends of the capacitors should be flat), and/or leaking electrolyte gunk.

 

[JCROCCO]

Didnt see anything like that at all. In Fact, I had to completely disassemble the mobo cause I bought a replacement Heat Sink and fan and had to replace the backing. I had the mobo in my hand, and I inspected it and saw nothing apparantly wrong with it.

I put it all back together and its running now. I havent tested it, but it now has the memory, CPU and PSU from the other machine in it, plus a new heat sink fan.

My wife had to get some stuff off of it, tax stuff, and so for $25 I fixed the heat suink right away. I will see if it locks up on her while she works on it. Sometime this weekend I will run tests, but I still think it will freeze up again.

The thing is, if it is anything wrong with the mobo, you cant really just fix it can you? I hate soldering, and this stuff is way to small for my skill level. Its not worth fixing it even if it is a bad resister or capacitor, or even controllers.

Better off getting a new system or at least a new MOBO.

 

[JCROCCO]

Since I have reassembled the mobo, I have ran CPU tests and they all have passed!!!!

Before they were locking up on me within like 2 minutes of the test, and i tried it 5 times.

It also locked up before on the memory test, Im gonna run that and see if it locks up.

How would dissassembly of the mobo and components, and reassemble fix the problem?

 

[CoinOperatedBoy]

It's possible that your HSF was not mounted properly and you were having temperature issues. After you broke the retention bracket, the contact would have been even worse and caused increasingly frequent failures. Not sure how CPU-intensive memtest is, though... Odd that it would consistently fail.

Maybe you just needed something reseated. Possibly also a grounding issue with your case and after the rebuild you're not having mobo contact any more.