What could fry a mobo?

[olds]

Question: What component(s), IE video card, hdd, sound card, RAM, etc. can fry a mobo?

I have fried 2 mobos. Initially, I had a problem with constant rebooting. Machine would just start to POST then reboot over and over again. I replaced the power supply and all was good for 1 week. Then I lost all video signal, machine would not post and there were no error beeps. Replaced mobo, it hung on the first boot, I hit reset and it started but after about 10 minutes I lost the video signal. I am back to no POST and no error beeps. No scorch marks on case or mobo.

I had replaced each and every component with working items, tried to run it out of case. I suspect that one of the components that make up this machine is bad. I don't want to fry the next mobo, too.
Link to latest problem
I don't mean to double post the same question I just want info on this specific question. Thanks.

 

[minendo]

Power spikes, brown outs. Do you have it plugged into an UPS or surge protector?

 

[olds]

I checked the voltage at the wall with a voltmeter and an "outlet tester" The voltage is within standards and the outlet is wired correctly. I also now (for the last week) have a Tripplite line conditioner between the machine and the outlet.

 

[DaiShan]

a video card could do it potentially if it tries to draw too much power, which psu are you using? are you properly grounding yourself before you go into your case?

/edit I am not sure what a line conditioner is, but if it doesn't protect against spikes and backed with insurance... you don't want it.

 

[tbalon]

Have you tried taking it one step at a time to isolate the problem?

1. start with only the CPU, ram and video card and try running it for a while.
2. then add your other cards and peripherals one at a time and test each one for a while.
3. have you loaded the latest drivers and bios upgrades for your MOBO?

I personally have not fried a mobo myself but have had the experience of having my video acard and processor being rendered usless by an over anxious technician plugging and unpluging a video projector without turnimg off the computer first.

I would also be very careful that you do not damage any components while adding or removing a heatsink.
I have been able to bring seemingly dead MOBOs back to life with a simple reset of the cmos jumper. I have also used the BIOS hotflash technique to bring back a dead mobo.

 

[olds]

I am using an AMD approved, Antec 400 watt ps. I use a grounding strap when working on the machine. A line conditioner protects against spikes and drops in power. It carries insurance.
I have tried running it with the mobo out of the machine, one piece at a time and substituting known, good parts. Right now, the mobo is fried and I am afraid if I just put the old parts into a new mobo I will fry it too. The mobo had/has the latest BIOS. The first time I cleared the CMOS, it booted but lost the video signal within 10 minutes. Now, no POST, no video signal, no error beeps but the fans spin up.

 

[DaiShan]

yeah I wouldn't risk inserting any good components in there in case the voltage regulator got fried or something (one time I ESD'd my mobo and somehow the chip died too after powering it back on) I really don't know what to tell ya, can you RMA that board? maybe it was defective? have you had that line conditioner checked out?

 

[leapingfrog0]

<< Now, no POST, no video signal, no error beeps but the fans spin up. >>



Hmm, sounds like a similar problem I was having when I first assembled my computer (except my fans would spin for a few seconds and die) except when I adjusted the red switch on the back of the power supply they constantly spun. I doubt it will fix your problem since you've probably done it already, but I just took out the CMOS battery and popped it back in and I got a POST and everything. Some people say you should leave it out overnight.

 

[cholley]

pulling out mouse or keyboard plug with power applied can fry the super I/O

 

[ScottMac]

Just as a shot in the dark here.....

Are you pulling the power cord to exchange components (PCI, RAM, etc)?

ATX boards ALWAYS have some power going to the bus for "Wake On" components, timers and such. If you don't remove the power cord (and/or turn off the power supply- the little black switch above the power cord NOT the button on the front), then you're basically "hot swapping," which will kill a motherboard and/or component faster than Anderson can shred a drawerfull of documents.....

FWIW

Scott

 

[olds]

tbalon
I have done as you suggested in the past, no joy.

DaiShan
The board is eligble for RMA and I haven't tested the conditioner as it is new but that's a good idea.

leapingfrog0
I haven't pulled the battery but have left it unplugged with the CMOS jumper set to discharge.

ScottMac
I honestly can't say for sure weather I have unplugged it each time or not. Most times I am sure I have as I take the machine to a table in another corner of the room to work on it. Usually I unplug, change the CMOS jumper, make my swaps, reset jumper, plug it in and power it on. I have had it apart so many times it's just a blur. It's possible that I haven't unplugged it each time. Hmm......