I think I destroyed traces on my mobo when reseating my heatsink - crap

[getbush]

Decided to reseat the heatsink on my an35n ultra due to high temps.

After i got it back on I powered up but forgot to plug the cpu fan back in

Also I may have impacted the motherboard with a screwdriver, but i doubt this.

Would turning on the system without the fan plugged in fry the cpu instantly?

This is how the system acts right now: Hit power button, all fans come on, both optical drives light up, seems normal but, NO post beep. And the monitor acts like it is getting no signal, as if the system were off. There should be a beep right? And then nothing else really happens. The hard drive does not go off like it is normally loading windows. Sytem will just sit and blow air.

So did I kill the CPU, or MB, or both? Or is there something I'm missing? Any help is greatly appreciated, I'm really bummed right now. If anyone would even be willing to chat with me on AIM for a few minutes please let me know. Thanks, Ryan

edited title

 

[DyslexicHobo]

That's what happened to my brothers system. The EXACT same symptoms...

Turned out his CPU was dead (I accidentally scratched it up while putting on the HSF).

 

[getbush]

Thanks for the reply. If that's the case I'll just order a new one. I just want to be sure that's what I need to do.

 

[getbush]

Wow, the 35watt Mobile XP 2400 that I bought in July for $87 is now $109 at newegg 6 months later. What_the_hell.

 

[getbush]

Please anyone, more input would be appreciated. Can I be sure it's the CPU that is fried? I just don't know what to do.

 

[sandorski]

2 things:

1) if the Heatsink was on and you didn't run it too long(minutes) the cpu should be fine

2) even if the cpu was toasted, the Motherboard would still Beep, in fact it would probably Beep like crazy. Which would make me thing the Motherboard was dead, if anything.


Before buying a bunch of stuff, Reseat all your Cards, Ram, and check all cables. Often when tinkering around, especially where pressure gets applied to the Motherboard, things simply pop out of their sockets/slots enough to cause odd problems.

 

[lenjack]

Right...if the heatsink was in place, even without the fan, the cpu is probably OK.

 

[Ike0069]

The CPU will last several minutes without a fan, then it will shutdown before it ever burns up. If it never even posted, no way it could burn up even with out a HS. Could very well be your MB, but a bad CPU will give the same symptons.

 

[getbush]

I guess I will take it apart and put it back together.
The only thing I can see I did wrong through the whole process is when I powered it on without the fan plugged in. The HS was seated, just no fan. So if that isn't enough to kill the CPU, then ya, I'm stumped for the time being.

 

[getbush]

I think I've found the problem. Will have a pic up shortly for verification.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

As long as the CPU had a heatsink it will be fine, when it does heat up, it will do so gradually enough for the system to shutdown to avoid damage, however if you had done that without a HS at all, it will be smoked in seconds. Like literally 2-3

 

[getbush]

Originally posted by: getbush
Also I may have impacted the motherboard with a screwdriver, but i doubt this.

So this would probably cause a system to not post right? :roll:

I suck.

 

[getbush]

So assuming the traces were destroyed from the damage, would that effectively kill the MB and cause the symptoms? Is it possible that if the MB is dead, the CPU is still ok?

 

[raanemaan]

Do you have a way to test the cpu before getting a replacement board? Maybe a buddy or something?

 

[getbush]

Mmm no not really. I don't have any friends who build their own, or have an AMD for that matter.

Those gouges killed the board didn't they?

^^strike that^^ I found an acqaintance who can test my CPU tomorrow. So hopefully the CPU will work and I can get a replacement MB and get on with it.

 

[Steven the Leech]

It may be possible to repair that motherboard, possibly you could sell it on the FS/FT forum if you did not want to do it yourself, as it would require some delicate soldering/tracer pen repair. I would certainly give it a shot. You really have nothing to lose if your cpu checks out ok.

 

[Dennis Travis]

At one point in my life when my eyesite was a bit better I repaired a board worse than that but I would NOT recomended you even trying unless you have very good eyes and know how to solder very small wires close together.

Did your screwdriver slip and hit the traces?

That would for sure cause your problem. Looks cut to me.

 

[getbush]

Ya, I cut one or two traces with the screwdriver. It was too big. Lesson learned. I ordered another AN35n ultra last night. Hopefully the CPU is still good. I think it probably is.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: getbush
Ya, I cut one or two traces with the screwdriver. It was too big. Lesson learned. I ordered another AN35n ultra last night. Hopefully the CPU is still good. I think it probably is.

you may want to place a peice of cloth, paper or something in hat area, just in case. Also, try using some needle nose pliers instead of a screwdriver, though a properly seated screwdriver should not come out.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Don't know what cooler you are using but judging by the gouged board and scratched up plastic, you were getting a bit physical with it. I'd suggest getting one of these Aeroflow you can mount it with just your hands, no tools required. I used to run a Barton@2.43ghz with one and it worked great. Easiest to mount sktA cooler I have used.

 

[getbush]

The cooler is a speeze whispersomething. I was using too big of a screwdriver. When I switched to a smaller one it wasn't much of a problem. Now I wish newegg would hurry up with my new AN35n and arctic silver