Computer Hosed Itself

[MrCodeDude]

This afternoon I connected my flash-drive to one of my front USB ports (I do this all the time) and right as I plugged it in, I knew something was wrong. I have an Antec P160, so it has the temperature display right next to the USB ports and the temperature switched from the current temperature to "--." I had Winamp open, so it started doing the "stuttering" effect (where it will play 2 seconds of a song, freeze, then play 2 more seconds).

I should note that the computer didn't completely freeze, however it was getting to the point where I thought it would any second, so I figured I would just restart.

Upon restart, I get no display.

Current specs:

AMD X2 4200+
ECS KN1 SLI (Socket 939)
2x1GB PC3200 Corsair XMS
ATi X800 GTO2
Ultra 600W X-Finity

I have done the following and I still get no display:
- Reset the CMOS
- Disconnected everything except the PSU, Mobo, Proc and Memory
- Tried each memory stick individually in each of the 4 DIMMs, even tried a 512mb stick from a working machine
- Tested the rig with a spare PSU (380W Cooler Master)
- Tried a different PCI-e card, even tried a PCI graphics card (I bought both of these tonight to try and diagnose the problem, I can not guarantee either one of these works).

Antec, in all their infinite wisdom, decided not to have a speaker wire for their P160, so I had to relocate the rig from the P160 to an occupied Cooler Master Centurion to use it's speaker. Unfortunately for me, this accomplished nothing because I don't even get a POST beep from the speaker.

I really wish more motherboard manufacturers would get 7-segment displays that show visual post codes (like ePox has been doing forever).

I have my suspicions that it is the motherboard, as this is the only component (other than the CPU) that I have not replaced.

When the rig powers up, the fans spin, the annoying blue LEDs on the motherboard flash, it looks like it's running fine, but there is no display.

 

[IGBT]

..can you feel any warmth from the cpu cooler? possibly the cpu/cooler came unseated?

 

[MrCodeDude]

Originally posted by: IGBT
..can you feel any warmth from the cpu cooler? possibly the cpu/cooler came unseated?

I forgot to mention it in my list, but I checked the CPU (see if there were any burn marks or something) and it looked fine.

 

[taterworks]

Does the same USB key work in other computers without frying them? The only thing I can think of is that the front USB ports may have been improperly wired, perhaps screwing up something on the motherboard. I'm thinking that possibly a lot of power (intended to power the USB key) may have been sent somewhere that it shouldn't have been, by a short circuit or something else. Downside: You may need a new motherboard. Upside: The MSI K9N4 Ultra is cost-effective. Don't just buy another ECS board -- I have not trusted their products for years.

All the best,

Taters

 

[MrCodeDude]

Originally posted by: taterworks
Does the same USB key work in other computers without frying them? The only thing I can think of is that the front USB ports may have been improperly wired, perhaps screwing up something on the motherboard. I'm thinking that possibly a lot of power (intended to power the USB key) may have been sent somewhere that it shouldn't have been, by a short circuit or something else. Downside: You may need a new motherboard. Upside: The MSI K9N4 Ultra is cost-effective. Don't just buy another ECS board -- I have not trusted their products for years.

All the best,

Taters

This rig has been stable for a couple months and I have used the front USB connectors before in the past, so if power was sent to the wrong place, it had to have been a fluke. I've emailed ECS's RMA department, but they are probably off until Tuesday.

And the K9N4 is Socket AM2.

 

[pkrush]

I've fried computers before with flash drives, including one crappy Celeron that I was supposed to be removing spyware from! I'd say that your motherboard is definitely toast, and possibly the flash drive is too. Fortunately for you, geeks.com is still selling MSI K8N NEO4-F's for $45 each, so it shouldn't cost you too much to replace.

 

[MrCodeDude]

Will a motherboard still power on if it is fried?

I guess I'll be RMAing the motherboard. Now I'm at a stand-still: I can buy a new motherboard (I'm guessing the RMA process will awhile), sell the KN1 when it comes back from RMA and keep my existing rig or I can make the jump to C2D. Hmm.

 

[MrCodeDude]

Originally posted by: pkrush
I've fried computers before with flash drives, including one crappy Celeron that I was supposed to be removing spyware from! I'd say that your motherboard is definitely toast, and possibly the flash drive is too. Fortunately for you, geeks.com is still selling MSI K8N NEO4-F's for $45 each, so it shouldn't cost you too much to replace.

Yeah, I don't know what to do. I don't want to buy an inferior motherboard to tide me over while my KN1 gets RMA'd.

 

[IGBT]

..well I had something interesting happen last night. One of my old AMD slot 950 mhz syst failed and the symptoms were similar. I was listing to internet radio and the box started to stutter and the track ball stoped responding so the only way to correct was to hit the reset button. Upon restart the MOB failed to post but all fans were running and LED's lit on the MOB (biostar) I swaped out the vid card..no help. I had a spare 950 slot cpu all built up on a heatsink so I swaped out the cpu and the system was restored. So something happened to the cpu which was aprox.5 years old. The AMD slot 950 I installed is abot the same age (from an old box wit a bad MOB..glad I saved it) ...so mabe the cpu failed.

 

[MrCodeDude]

Originally posted by: IGBT
..well I had something interesting happen last night. One of my old AMD slot 950 mhz syst failed and the symptoms were similar. I was listing to internet radio and the box started to stutter and the track ball stoped responding so the only way to correct was to hit the reset button. Upon restart the MOB failed to post but all fans were running and LED's lit on the MOB (biostar) I swaped out the vid card..no help. I had a spare 950 slot cpu all built up on a heatsink so I swaped out the cpu and the system was restored. So something happened to the cpu which was aprox.5 years old. The AMD slot 950 I installed is abot the same age (from an old box wit a bad MOB..glad I saved it) ...so mabe the cpu failed.

That would be a lot easier to RMA.

Too bad the motherboard and the CPU are the only two parts I can't test in other computers (I don't think any of my friends will be that willing )

 

[Jiggz]

Do the ultimate and then RMA if problem persists. Dismount the mobo from case (and place it on top of card board or mobo box), install video card, CPU w/HSF, a stick of ram and mobo PSU. Fire it up, you should at least see it post. If not RMA! ECS is one brand I never liked. Had too many bad experience with their mobo's. If you decide to get a new new 939 mobo, check the MSI on sale posted at the Hot Deal Forum selling at Geeks.com for less than $45.00!

 

[MrCodeDude]

Originally posted by: Jiggz
Do the ultimate and then RMA if problem persists. Dismount the mobo from case (and place it on top of card board or mobo box), install video card, CPU w/HSF, a stick of ram and mobo PSU. Fire it up, you should at least see it post. If not RMA! ECS is one brand I never liked. Had too many bad experience with their mobo's. If you decide to get a new new 939 mobo, check the MSI on sale posted at the Hot Deal Forum selling at Geeks.com for less than $45.00!

Everything has already been ran out of box. IGBT might be correct, it could be my processor (which I think would be easier to RMA), I have a new motherboard coming in this week to test finally figure out if it's either the motherboard.

If it isn't, I'll probably beg my friend to let me try my CPU in his rig.

 

[MrCodeDude]

Well, it was the motherboard. I got in a cheap mobo today (MSI RX200 or something) and it posted, which is more than the KN1 gave me.

An observation about the two motherboards though; and maybe it's an indication:
On the MSI motherboard, the fans started out at 100%, but 2 seconds into boot they slowed/quited down significantly
On the ECS motherboard, the fans stayed at 100% the entire time (it doesn't POST)

Oh well. I hope ECS makes the RMA process painless. I have not had many problems with ECS (I had a K7S5A for 5 years before the capacitors started to leak) and the KN1 was stable for the ~1 year I had it, but if their RMA process sucks, I'll be avoiding them in the future.

 

[Jiggz]

I can vividly remember those K7S5A!! I think half of those produced were POS!

 

[MrCodeDude]

Originally posted by: Jiggz
I can vividly remember those K7S5A!! I think half of those produced were POS!

V1 (black PCB) was awesome. The following versions were the ones that had problems.

 

[AstroGuardian]

I suggest you stick with MSI or GigaByte in future. They never let me down.

 

[MrCodeDude]

Originally posted by: AstroGuardian
I suggest you stick with MSI or GigaByte in future. They never let me down.

But if I told you I had horrible luck with MSI and GigaByte, that would void your argument.

Purchases based on brand allegiance are dumb. If you are debating over two boards and you've had better experiences with one, sure, go ahead; but blindly sticking to two companies is a horrible idea.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: MrCodeDude

Originally posted by: Jiggz
I can vividly remember those K7S5A!! I think half of those produced were POS!

V1 (black PCB) was awesome. The following versions were the ones that had problems.

heh ..that's the one my mom won't part with and

On the MSI motherboard, the fans started out at 100%, but 2 seconds into boot they slowed/quited down significantly

just like any oem(hp/compaq for one) will do

 

[Operandi]

ECS has a bad reputation and from what I can tell the deserve it.

Every board I've seen has had questionable design short cuts and/or what they are more known for low quality capacitors that often fail.

 

[MrCodeDude]

Originally posted by: ScrapSilicon

Originally posted by: MrCodeDude

Originally posted by: Jiggz
I can vividly remember those K7S5A!! I think half of those produced were POS!

V1 (black PCB) was awesome. The following versions were the ones that had problems.

heh ..that's the one my mom won't part with and

On the MSI motherboard, the fans started out at 100%, but 2 seconds into boot they slowed/quited down significantly

just like any oem(hp/compaq for one) will do

Well, all boards do this. But I never knew they did it upon POST.

The fact that the fans did kept at 100% on the ECS lead me to believe it wasn't even reaching POST.