Best Replacement Socket 478 Motherboard?

[NoodleTech]

Okay so my friend and I took his computer to his backyard to clean out all the dust that had built up on his components, but his can of compressed air was empty. Not wanting to go to the store to purchase a new can, we decided to use a vacuum (bad idea) to suck the dust up and I think thats what shorted out his motherboard because we got cmos checksum errors etc. when we tried booting it. His board was a MSI 865PE Neo 2 (MS-6728 Ver. 1).

So now I really need a socket 478 board and I am probably going to go for some board with intel chipset. I was browsing Gigabyte's socket 478 intel chipset boards and gigabyte makes boards with like 18 different intel chipsets for the socket 478. I need advice as to which chipset is better (eg. 865P, 865PE, 875P). I also need help choosing a new board because of the great variation of models on the market. I never owned a socket 478 system, so I know nothing of the chipsets, motherboards etc and what to expect.

My friend is running a 2.4GHz P4 and 2GB of OCZ DDR400 RAM along with an 80GB SATA 150 western digital HD and an Asus 7600GS AGP. The board must accommodate all these components. I don't want integrated video, but would like integrated sound and ethernet.

Could somebody please give me some suggestions? Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[NXIL]

Socket 478 is more than a generation or two back now, and is pretty much obsolete....

Here are the skt 478 boards at Newegg, mostly Via chipsets, not my personal favorite, but, they will probably be fine:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productco...73%2CN82E16813135221%2CN82E16813157106

Also, eBay?

Vacuums: they create static electricity; yes, I know this from painful personal experience:

General cleaning Tips

Below is a listing of general tips that should be taken when cleaning any of the components or peripherals of a computer as well as tips to help keep a computer clean.

1. Never spray or squirt any type of liquid onto any computer component. If a spray is needed, spray the liquid onto a cloth and then use that cloth to rub down the component.
2. Users can use a vacuum to suck up dirt, dust, or hair around their computer on the outside case and on their keyboards. However, do not use a vacuum for the inside of your computer as it generates a lot of static electricity that can damage the internal components of your computer. If you need to use a vacuum to clean the inside of your computer, use a portable battery powered vacuum designed to do this job.

http://hardware.mcse.ms/archive69-2005-10-248014.html

HTH,

NXIL

 

[yehuda]

If you can enter the BIOS setup menu, try the "load default settings" option and then save the changes. This might fix the CMOS checksum error.

 

[tcsenter]

I always use a vacuum on the inside of my computer. I use the long thin crevice and corner tool (wand), directly on everything including the motherboard, RAM modules, open PCI and RAM slots, expansion cards, fans, heatsinks. Never had a problem.

Leave the computer plugged into a grounded outlet and rub the attachment against a metal part of the PSU or chassis a few times first, just as you should before touching any sensitive electronic components with your hands. Then unplug the power cord and move to the motherboard.

The vacuum motor should not 'generate' static electricity if it is internally grounded. Moving the plastic vaccum hose back and forth against furniture or the floor will promote static buildup. Keep the hose off things with your free hand.

Edit: use a household vacuum, not a "shop vac". The hoses on shop vacs are typically too long to reasonably manage. Also, the large canister/resevior may inordinately promote static buildup because lots of dirt and other stuff is circulating around and around inside the plastic canister, which the hose is directly attached to.

 

[o1die]

Computer Geeks has an Intel 865pe board for $69 plus shipping new, or a Foxconn 875 board (refurb) for $90 plus shipping.

 

[vailr]

Abit IC7
A froogle.com search found:
http://microsource-store.stores.yahoo.net/mb-abit-p47dric7.html

 

[iluvdeal]

Do you have a Frys nearby? If you need to spend over $70 on an outdated 478 mobo, I'd consider one of those Frys combo deal instead. Parts breaking are always good excuses to upgrade.

This weekend they offered an Intel C2D E4300 + ECSP4M800PRO mobo for $99. That was an anniversary special though, they'll probably offer it again soon at around $120.

ECS boards aren't the greatest for OCing but it should be fine at stock. That board works with DDR and AGP as well. He could sell his old CPU to help offset the upgrade cost as well.

BTW, I hope the memory didn't get damaged. Also have you tried resetting the CMOS? I'd also give reflashing the BIOS a try.

 

[xgsound]

Certainly try multiple times to reset the bios to defaults or reflash bios first.

That Abit would be nice, but not for $124, and from looking at the sites products I'd say that site hasn't been updated for some years. Make sure they're still there somehow. Call the 800 number. They have a zero ever resellerrating. They still have Rambus memory, duron CPUs, and no current products.

Your biggest limiting factor will be what 478 board you can get, not what board you want. If VIA chipsets will be OK for you you should still be able to find a new mobo. For intel with 478 you may have to look in Forsale/trade.

The core 2 duo at frys is sounding better unless someone sees this thread and offers up a 478 board.


Jim

 

[Mr Vain]

ASRock P4VM890 Socket 478 VIA P4M890 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

478 socket CPU with modern full PCI-e 16 slot for a DX10 card, gives that Pentium more life.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157106