Can a motherboard destroy other hardware?

[CliffD]

I have an older PIII 500Mg computer w/ a SuperMicro P6DBE MBod and 3D LAbs Oxygen graphics card purchased from XI Computer in 1999. Shortly (4 months?) after purchase the graphics card failed and was replaced with same. That too failed and was replaced with another 3DLabs Oxygen card.

In between the two cards I lost a fan and hard drive. I did add pieces of hardware (RAM, Echo tape backup, sound card) but I never saw a common denominator which could lead to the culprit of the hardware failures until I lost my 2nd hard drive. My thought then was that it was the power source. I am now using it as a computer to store files. I purchased a new Antec case and power source, Adaptec RAID card and 2 new hard drives and used the rest of the hardware.

I have now lost both of the new hard drives. I can only think it is the Mbod. I am ordering a new Mbod, RAM, CPU and Graphics card.

My concern is; could the problem be another piece of hardware that I will use again - HP CD Writer & Echo Tape backup? Would any of the other pieces of hardware be a more likely suspect ie: NIC, Sound Card, RAM, HP CD Writer or Echo Tape backup (internal)?

Thanks in advance

Cliff

 

[Peter]

I'd also check whether you're having a problem with power surges or electrostatic discharge.

 

[jgobert]

Invest in a power conditioner... worth it's weight!

99% of failures like you experienced are power related. A good UPS will do power conditioning. Cheaper than having an electrician check your home!

JG