Motherboard North Bridge Failure Question

[Starbuck1975]

I recently had a failure issue with my Abit AN8 32X

About a month ago, my computer failed to post into the bios. The audio & post code suggested a video interface issue, which meant either a problem with the MOBO or a problem with my video card.

As my MOBO had a secondary PCI-E slot, I moved my video card to the secondary slot, and was able to boot my computer just fine. This temporarily resolved the issue, but Abit tech support suggested an RMA.

I sent my MOBO into RMA, and they now say they cannot fix it.

They said the problem is that heat from my video card melted the North bridge, and they cannot replace it.

If this is true, can a MOBO still function properly even with the North bridge dead? How was I able to run my computer normally by placing my video card in the secondary PCI-e slot with a dead North Bridge? Wouldn't such a failure cause other errors to arise?

 

[heyheybooboo]

The heat may have damaged traces in the area ...

 

[Starbuck1975]

The heat may have damaged traces in the area ...

What kind of traces...not sure I understand the terminology?

Also, would it take nearly two years for the damage to be done? What could I have done to shield the mobo from such heat?

 

[Starbuck1975]

Follow on question...is a North Bridge failure due to heat something they should be able to fix?

 

[Heidfirst]

not cost effectively & it probably wouldn't be covered by warranty.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

Traces are little bits in the motherboard that carry data and power and stuff... I think. You could have used better cooling, where was this case located? What is your setup?

Honestly, I've never heard of someone frying their northbridge with a video card. But seeing as it is one of the main parts on a motherboard, you may just have to get a new one, or have Abit send you one if it's under warranty.

 

[jimmor]

Originally posted by: Starbuck1975
I recently had a failure issue with my Abit AN8 32X

About a month ago, my computer failed to post into the bios. The audio & post code suggested a video interface issue, which meant either a problem with the MOBO or a problem with my video card.

As my MOBO had a secondary PCI-E slot, I moved my video card to the secondary slot, and was able to boot my computer just fine. This temporarily resolved the issue, but Abit tech support suggested an RMA.

I sent my MOBO into RMA, and they now say they cannot fix it.

They said the problem is that heat from my video card melted the North bridge, and they cannot replace it.

If this is true, can a MOBO still function properly even with the North bridge dead? How was I able to run my computer normally by placing my video card in the secondary PCI-e slot with a dead North Bridge? Wouldn't such a failure cause other errors to arise?

If they actually said that heat from running your VGA card MELTED the Northbridge chip, then they LIED !

And, regardless of where you fitted the vga card, the fact that you could boot your computer at all supports that conclusion ?

That said, it's obviously possible that something failing within the northbridge chip itself could have caused a localised "hot spot" strong enough to cause "burning/melting" on part of the n/b chip surface ---> and if true that they have since found such a melted "hot spot", it would be impossible to determine if it happend when you had the mobo or when they powered it ---> either way, it is just a northbridge chip failure ---> so to blame such a failure directly at your VGA card needs quite a jump in imagination ?

Appears likely to me that they are either, technically naive, or, trying their best to avoid your rma/warranty rights ?

Only possible way for your VGA card to "melt" a northbridge chip would be where the vga card caught fire and the ensuing fire incinerated everything in the surrounding area, including the n/b chip ---> however, i'm reasonably sure that you would have noticed such a fire, and of course all the other fire/heat damage to your mobo

 

[Starbuck1975]

Thank you for the responses.

I don't think it was a heat issue...I have quite a few fans in my current rig, and monitor the MOBO, CPU and GPU temperatures...they have never gotten close to the danger threshholds, as I do not overclock my system.

I am having some problems with ABIT RMA...they cannot fix my MOBO, but do not have my model in stock.

Their warranty covers 2 years from date of purchase for RMA...but they seemingly cannot meet their warranty...the RMA department keeps offering alternate boards, but I just want a replacement of the same model I purchased.

Not sure what I am going to do at this point.