MOBO dead?

[doodler85]

Hey guys,

I came home and my computer wouldn't turn on... no POST beep, nothing. The fans are still turning but that's it. Do you think it's mobo or cpu? I tried another power supply and that didn't do anything.

And, if it's a mobo issue... what would you recommend as a replacement? I'm currently running a P35-DS3R with a Q6600. My computer's about a year old. This mobo looked pretty decent... http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128344 But I haven't been in the market for a while.

Thanks,
David

 

[mpilchfamily]

First of all when asking a question like this you need to list your full system specs. For all we know you could have a very nice video card but a very poor PSU. In which case the PSU could have blown and damaged the mothetrboard.

 

[doodler85]

Ah, sorry about that! Here's the list:

-------------

COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R

EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card

ENERMAX Liberty ELT500AWT ATX12V 500W Power Supply - Retail

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6600

2x ---------
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ

2x --------
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

SAMSUNG 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write, LightScribe Technology Black SATA Model SH-S183L

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound

 

[mpilchfamily]

The Enermax Liberty is known for having a higher then normal failure rate. So your first step is to replace the PSU. There is a slight chance the PSU may have damaged the motherboard but its highly unlikely with that PSU. They may be known for failing but they are not known for killing other items.

 

[doodler85]

Thanks for the response. Well that sucks to hear that the Enermax fails frequently... it was people on this board that convinced me to get it because it was of higher quality than the OCZ I was thinking of.

Anyway, I tried my co-worker's PSU and the same thing happened. I can't guarantee that his works normally, but I *think* it's supposed to. What are standard symptoms of a failed PSU?

 

[mpilchfamily]

Yes initally the Liberty was highly recomended. It performed great in reviews and seamed to be a good solid PSU. But after about a year or more there started to be a large number of teh PSU dieing.

A bad or dead PSU can cause any number of problems that may apear like some other component if failing. But knowing the history of that PSU and the fact that a diffrent PSU doesn nothing to change the exhibited problems shows that the motherboard is dead. Given the PSU's history its very likly to be from the death of the PSU. Course the PSU may not be all togther dead which is why you get fan power. But whatever happened it damaged the board.

 

[doodler85]

Argh

Is there any good way of testing if the PSU is dead? This whole situation kind of sucks. And if you think both my mobo and PSU may be dead... what would you recommend as a replacement?

Thanks!

 

[mpilchfamily]

Use a paper clip to short the green and a black wire on teh 24 pin main connector. Then using a DMM (Digital Multi Meter) Measure the voltages on the 12V (yellow wires), 5V (red wires), and 3.3V (orange wires) to see if they are within +/-5%. If not then its dead. If they check then the PSu amy or may not still be good. Either way its in your best intrest to get a new PSU anyway.

Going with the same mothebroard you are already using would be a good idea. Then you won't have to reinstall the OS. As for the PSU Corsair is about your best option. Antec's Earth Watts line is also good. They are highly rated and the Corsairs have been around long enough to prove that they have a very low failyer rate. BTW all PSUs have some number of failyers. But most of them only kill the PSU and not the rest of the system.

 

[doodler85]

Hi again! I've finally acquired enough time and spare cash (thank you, xmas bonus) to rebuild my computer, so I have a few last questions...

What do you think of these new components? I'm contemplating getting a new case because my current one has airflow problems, and unless I'm able to install a front-side fan without breaking everything, it's just not pleasing me.

1) PSU: Corsair CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139006
2) Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128359

Maybe...

3) Case: Coolermaster HAF -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119160

My old mobo was a GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R, which I can't find on newegg anymore. What's your opinion on my alternative pick? I'll probably have to re-install windows, right?

Also, if you were wondering (based on earlier posts), I tried out my co-worker's PSU and nothing worked with that one either. If somehow that PSU was also dead... well... I could always try this new one and return the MOBO, right

Finally, what do you think the realistic chances are of my old PSU shorting out more than just the mobo? I guess we'll find out when I buy a new one, but is there an easy way to check?

Thanks again!

 

[doodler85]

So I bought these two parts, and I'm going to return the MOBO. I basically took the entire computer apart and plugged things in one at a time until it booted stable. At first we thought the GPU was the issue, but when I took it home with a new graphics card, it didn't turn on. So I said wtf and unplugged a number of components in as well as the new power supply, and replaced the GPU with the original one. This worked, but only for a night, and then it died again. At this point I figured either the MOBO was retarded or something else like my RAM was the issue. I tried a number of possible mix-and-matches with the sticks and found that two were unusable. So... this is day two, and my PC seems to be working normally. Here's to hoping it's just the ram...

 

[Denithor]

Wish I'd seen this post earlier, the RAM is the first thing I'd have suggested testing, either with memtest86 or just pulling sticks and rearranging.

It's amazing how many problems are caused by RAM.

 

[doodler85]

Yeah... I always figured that my mobo would beep if it were the RAM, but I learned my lesson.

Anyone in Pasadena, CA want a new GA-EP45 for $110? RMA sounds like a pain, and I lose 15% :'(