Do I need a new Motherboard?

[Trancendental]

I know there is a Computing section but I got a feeling the Forum is going through updates and I can't post in there at the moment


I'm not using my computer as its completly dead. It switches on but is now the most unstable peice of rubbish ever.

When I left it Idle it would crash, as long as I was using it it would run fine.

I thought it was a RAM problem but it still does it. I thought it was that dodgy IBM/Hitatchi but even when disconnected it still does it.

The I/O went crazy to, sometimes the USB Mouse would just stop working, The Reciever would just turn off mis computer session and I would have to restart the computer, I thought it was a Driver problem but it still does it. I thought it was an OS Problem but even after 2 reinstalls its still does it.

Last night I got a 'BIOS CHECK SUM' error and the machine wouldn't boot.

I thought the battery had run out so\I bought a new one today and the peice of **** crashes and the Windows screen with the blue activity line.

It just Locks up completely at random now and th last straw was when it locked up while I was in the BIOS 3 times in a row. I nearly done the old hit the keyboard as hard as I can several times I was that frustrated.

Crashing in the BIOS was in indication to me that:

It is not the Hard Disk Drives.
It is not the RAM
It is not a Software Issue
It is not an Operating System Issue.

Do I need a New Motherboard? Unplugging and Unscrewing and transferring all that is long and I really can't be arsed especially as I'm going to have to wait for a new MoBo to arrive

HELP PLEASE!

 

[mountainmachine]

Have you checked all the fans, heatsinks etc, as one time mines wash crashing due to the southbridge heatsink being 1mm loose.

Also have you ruled out unstable PSU?

Is prob new MB you'd need get a cheap one of ebay. Unless its a top end comp.

 

[Hellcat]

Dodgy PSU is a high possibility. Valeen had similar issues until he swapped it for a decent PSU.

 

[Trancendental]

IN that case I will see what PC Worlds Return policy is and borrow a PSU from them to test it out.

PSU's don't mnake funny sounds or anything cause my one is still as quiet as the day I bought it just over years ago.

Is there anyway test it? I can't turn on the computer to check voltages.

I might try unplugging everything but the mainboard, Processor fan and HDD to test it.

There is a ASROCKS Mainboard on Scan for £30 ex P&P, are they good?

What I forgot to add is sometimes it does not switch off or restart when I select the option from the start menu, instead, guess what it does??






It LOCKS UP! :bang:

 

[Hellcat]

You can take it out, bridge the green 'activate' wire to a black ground and it will power up while disconnected from the motherboard.

 

[Trancendental]

OK I disconnected everything apart from what I said I would.

Whetever it is is partially to do with a few things, but not isolated yet.

I left the IDE Cables plugged in to the CDRW and the DVDRW but had removed the power cable.

The HDD Activity light remained dim while the computer was running even though the HDD was idle.

Then when I tried to restart the computer Locked up.

I removed the IDE cable from the Mainboard and the HDD Activity light went off when the Drive was Inactive.

And now the computer seems stable, hasn't crashed yet, Mouse reciever has not swtiched off.

I'll revert the Internet back through it and no doubt my brother will report to me if the internet goes down while I'm at work, and if it goes down that means it crashed.

but so far its ok, so maybe one of my Optical drives is causing a problem but its unlikely I think cause they shouldn't make any requests from the system unless instructed to.

What it might indicate is that either the bus on the mainboard has messed up which means a new Mainboard or that the Power Supply is not providing enough power to the System to allow the data to be passed along the buses before it degrades and becomes unreadable.

I'll keep those interested posted.

 

[Chas Uno]

I'm no expert (you know way more than I do Trans!), but it does sound like a dicky PSU. Maybe with everything connected it is unable to keep up with the current required and is suffering from an unstable voltage? That would cause the PC to lock up and the random failings of some hardware, and might explain why the PC runs better with some hardware disconnected?

 

[Hellcat]

Jot down the specs of the PSU. Should have a label on it showing the amps for each channel (5v, 12v, -5v, -12v). Let us know what it is along with a list of what you have connected - including your processor and gfx card details and i'll guestimate if the PSU is upto it.

 

[Liam]

Dodgy ide controller?

type cd\ so your in the root (c:\)

then type dir /s

if you get your reboot, it's gotta be the disk controller drivers or the disk itself.

Liam

 

[Trancendental]

The PSU was a 450w and there is no way it should struggle to manage 2 HDDs and 2 Optical Drives and the standard, Sound, Graphics and Network Card.

I got a New PSU from PC Conmen for £59.99 a 500w as anything bigger was Modular. Connected it up tonight and the computer Crashed almost immediately.

Although I'm using it now its because everything is disconnected apart from the HDD.

And it has already crashed once.

I ordered a new MOBO from Scan computers but it wont be here till January 5th

I don't thinl PC World got any Socket 478 in stock and I might as well get my order in before everything closes over christmas. I have no time of work to look around for anything.

I'll try Maplin if I get the chance.

Def a Faulty Mobo, Game Over 'A-Bit BD7II' Tis the Recycle Bin for you!

 

[Trancendental]

RESULT:

New AsRock Something or other Mainboard with plenty numbers on it purchaced.

uATX so is half the size of my original and also packing much more potential.

Computer has been running all night and a load of things installed.... and not one lock up yet.

Problem Resolved


Looking back on why the old board might have died I think it might have been due to either;

1: The processor overheat I had. (Processor still works though, good ol' Intel)
2: The clip for the chipset heatsink becoming faulty.
3: Cleaning the mainboard and tower with an Air Duster.