isolating bad hardware

[PalmettoTiger]

After a series of increasingly-often hardlocks/reboots, my computer won't even POST. I initially suspected it was the video card, because the symptoms seemed heat-related (couldn't isolate any specific software, driver, or activity as the fault) and the vid card was the only temp I wasn't monitoring (case ambient and CPU remained under 50 degrees).

I swapped vid cards, which got me a POST, but then it hardlocked and refused to POST again. So I'm thinking CPU, motherboard, or RAM. I've tried all my sticks of RAM individually, and in every slot, with no change, so I think that's been ruled out.

Is there any way to figure out whether it's the CPU or motherboard, short of actually buying a new one and putting it in? Is there some other possibility here that i haven't considered?


My setup, for reference:
WinXP Pro SP2
Athlon 64 3000+
MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum motherboard
2 GB RAM (can't remember manufacturer or clock speed, but I didn't buy dodgy off-brand stuff - I can check when I get home if it matters)
2 SATA HDDs in RAID 1 using onboard controller
ATi Radeon 9500 non-pro or NVidia GeForce 6800GT (tested with both)
not sure of power supply, I can check when I get home if it's important

 

[Jiggz]

There's still a lot of things to do. Clear CMOS. Dismount the mobo from the case and remove all peripherals or add in cards, and just insert the CPU + HSF. Locate it close to the case so you can connect power. Place it on top of a card board or non conductive material. Connect the power connector of the case so you can turn it on without using a jumper. Also connect the case speaker. Now power up. If the mobo is working you should hear some beeps. If you hear intermittent tone, it also tells you the mobo is working but it also tells you the CPU fan may not be connected. Remove power or turn it off. Next is to install the video card and connect it to the monitor. Install a stick of ram. Power up again you should at least see it post. If on the first step you did not hear a beep or tone, either the CPU or the mobo or the PSU is dead. Now try a known working PSU. Even a small rated (200W and above) one will work as long as it fits the mobo. From here you can start isolating the fault. If it beeped but will not post, try another video card or another stick of ram. If you do not have any spare system or parts, you can always bring the suspected parts to a store and they will test it free for you as long as you promised to buy from them it's found to be faulty.

 

[PalmettoTiger]

Lovely. Thanks Jiggz.