Possible motherboard problem !

TracerBullet · 26th July 2009, 09:57

Hi,

I have a Compaq Presario for over 7 years. Recently, the PC refused to come on. Opened it and found that there was no power to the motherboard or HDD. Suspected the SMPS and replaced it with a new one. My old SMPS was a 250W and it was replaced with a 400W one, since a 250W was not available.

After the SMPS was replaced, I was able to observe the fan on top of the processor to be running fine and also the HDD (can feel the motor on the HDD running). But there is absolutely no life on the monitor. I have verified all the connections and seem to be ok.

Am I looking at a possible motherboard which has kicked the bucket too?

Thanks in advance.

aaggoswami · 26th July 2009, 10:28

1) Take the Bios cell out.
2) Remove power connector from SMPS. This means that AC supply will not be given to SMPS.
3) Press power button on cabinet for around 30 seconds. This is done to drain capacitors.
4) Put in BIOS cell and reconnect power code to SMPS. Try to start the machine.

If the display comes in, its good or your mobo has some issue.

Exactly similar was case with my project team member's (

can I use more similes ) machine, the BIOS trick did not work, I realized its mobo issue.

TracerBullet · 26th July 2009, 11:31

Tried it out, but nothing on the monitor. So I guess i have to go in for a motherboard change.

Thanks

pranavt · 26th July 2009, 12:07

Try resetting the "CMOS clear" jumper on your motherboard. Read manuals to find that jumper. Many a time, it has simply been that and clearing the CMOS has fixed the same problem that you're having.

Digital Vampire · 26th July 2009, 13:00

Also if you are having a VGA card, eject it out of the slot and re-insert it again. If you are having on-board video, the above does not apply.

Do the same for RAM sticks as well.

If the motherboard is dusty, vacuum it lightly. Use a brush tool for the vacuuming.

Discharge yourself by touching the PC case (earthed) before doing any of the above

Do you hear any BEEPS when you power ON?

amit_arya · 26th July 2009, 16:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by TracerBullet

Hi,

I have a Compaq Presario for over 7 years.
....
Am I looking at a possible motherboard which has kicked the bucket too?

Thanks in advance.

Dude
it's 7 year old, it has lived its life, i would strongly recommend you that until you have reason to carry on with it, dont spend too much on getting some new stuff for that. it would have a RD or DDR ram which is too expensive now. the current new mobo will not support your processors and the list is on.

try some housekeeping job and if the machine does not return to life, i would suggest you to get another one.

aaggoswami · 26th July 2009, 16:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital Vampire

Also if you are having a VGA card, eject it out of the slot and re-insert it again. If you are having on-board video, the above does not apply.

I thought of the same, but an add on card 7 years ago was not a high possibility. Hence replied as if its onboard graphics.

greenhorn · 26th July 2009, 16:37

when SMPS die, there is often collateral damage

aaggoswami · 26th July 2009, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn

when SMPS die, there is often collateral damage

The thread starter has mentioned that his HDD was showing signs of life. I hope HDD are are not affected and he is able to recover the data. Its best to take out data from that drive. Also dont try to boot the PC now again and again.

In case of my project team member (

) PC's case, she put in RAM and this happened. The SMPS is still fine.

TracerBullet · 27th July 2009, 10:04

VGA card is on-board. I have removed everything, dusted it, cleaned it with alcohol, blow dried it. It didn't work.

The HDD's seems to be working but I am yet to really check for my data. I will hook it to another machine and check.

Even if I have to go in for a mother board change, I will have to go for a new processor + RAM. My motherboard is way too old to find an exact replacement.

Thanks,

Amey · 27th July 2009, 11:16

Are there any beeps ? That can indicate who the culprit is. Also try doing this, Remove RAM modules and clean the golden connectors with a cloth and also dust the slots on motherboard.
If this doesn't work, there is a strong possibility that the VGA is the culprit,since yours is onboard, I am afraid this means changing the motherboard. It is better to go in for a cheap mobo+cpu+ram combo. There are tons of options available.

mohang_j · 27th July 2009, 12:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by TracerBullet

VGA card is on-board. I have removed everything, dusted it, cleaned it with alcohol, blow dried it. It didn't work.

The HDD's seems to be working but I am yet to really check for my data. I will hook it to another machine and check.

Even if I have to go in for a mother board change, I will have to go for a new processor + RAM. My motherboard is way too old to find an exact replacement.

Thanks,

Remove all connections, connect power to MB only, connect KB +monitor and then switch it on. If you dont have on board speaker connect the cabinet speaker and let us know the beep codes.
If the display does not come then remove the MB keep it on on a non conductive surface and power it on. Most likely the display comes.

If all these fails i can refer a good MB repair guy WHO can repair the MB. You cannot use other than Monitor if you want to upgrade that system. Let me know the exact model and serial no. of the machine i will try to get more details.

SirAlec · 27th July 2009, 19:18

what about the ram.?? have you checked it.

TracerBullet · 28th July 2009, 09:58

Quick update on the experiments suggested.

01) There are no beeps when turned on. To really check for the beeps, I had removed the RAM and turned it on. There were beeps which disappeared when I put back the RAM.

02) Removed the RAM, cleaned it, dusted it. Still no sign of life. RAM seems fine. I have used the same RAM in another PC and seems to be working fine.

Finally I turned on the monitor and disconnected the monitor cable that is connected to the PC. The monitor displayed "no input signal". I feel this kind of confirms that monitor is also fine and culprit is the motherboard.

Please let me know if you have some suggestions.

Thanks

pranavt · 28th July 2009, 12:57

Did you try removing the jumper? It has happened to me before on 5-6 year old motherboards, and this has somehow fixed it.

26th July 2009, 09:57	#1
TracerBullet BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 38 Thanked: 5 Times	Possible motherboard problem ! Hi, I have a Compaq Presario for over 7 years. Recently, the PC refused to come on. Opened it and found that there was no power to the motherboard or HDD. Suspected the SMPS and replaced it with a new one. My old SMPS was a 250W and it was replaced with a 400W one, since a 250W was not available. After the SMPS was replaced, I was able to observe the fan on top of the processor to be running fine and also the HDD (can feel the motor on the HDD running). But there is absolutely no life on the monitor. I have verified all the connections and seem to be ok. Am I looking at a possible motherboard which has kicked the bucket too? Thanks in advance.
	() Thanks

26th July 2009, 10:28	#2
aaggoswami Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vadodara Posts: 4,982 Thanked: 2,930 Times	1) Take the Bios cell out. 2) Remove power connector from SMPS. This means that AC supply will not be given to SMPS. 3) Press power button on cabinet for around 30 seconds. This is done to drain capacitors. 4) Put in BIOS cell and reconnect power code to SMPS. Try to start the machine. If the display comes in, its good or your mobo has some issue. Exactly similar was case with my project team member's ( can I use more similes ) machine, the BIOS trick did not work, I realized its mobo issue.
	() Thanks

26th July 2009, 11:31	#3
TracerBullet BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 38 Thanked: 5 Times	Tried it out, but nothing on the monitor. So I guess i have to go in for a motherboard change. Thanks
	() Thanks

26th July 2009, 12:07	#4
pranavt Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,682 Thanked: 639 Times View My Garage	Try resetting the "CMOS clear" jumper on your motherboard. Read manuals to find that jumper. Many a time, it has simply been that and clearing the CMOS has fixed the same problem that you're having.
	() Thanks

26th July 2009, 13:00	#5
Digital Vampire BHPian Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Utopia! Posts: 595 Thanked: 105 Times	Also if you are having a VGA card, eject it out of the slot and re-insert it again. If you are having on-board video, the above does not apply. Do the same for RAM sticks as well. If the motherboard is dusty, vacuum it lightly. Use a brush tool for the vacuuming. Discharge yourself by touching the PC case (earthed) before doing any of the above Do you hear any BEEPS when you power ON?
	() Thanks

26th July 2009, 16:37	#8
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,744 Thanked: 4,387 Times View My Garage	when SMPS die, there is often collateral damage
	() Thanks

27th July 2009, 10:04	#10
TracerBullet BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 38 Thanked: 5 Times	VGA card is on-board. I have removed everything, dusted it, cleaned it with alcohol, blow dried it. It didn't work. The HDD's seems to be working but I am yet to really check for my data. I will hook it to another machine and check. Even if I have to go in for a mother board change, I will have to go for a new processor + RAM. My motherboard is way too old to find an exact replacement. Thanks,
	() Thanks

27th July 2009, 11:16	#11
Amey BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 679 Thanked: 248 Times View My Garage	Are there any beeps ? That can indicate who the culprit is. Also try doing this, Remove RAM modules and clean the golden connectors with a cloth and also dust the slots on motherboard. If this doesn't work, there is a strong possibility that the VGA is the culprit,since yours is onboard, I am afraid this means changing the motherboard. It is better to go in for a cheap mobo+cpu+ram combo. There are tons of options available.
	() Thanks

27th July 2009, 19:18	#13
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,393 Thanked: 726 Times	what about the ram.?? have you checked it.
	() Thanks

28th July 2009, 09:58	#14
TracerBullet BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 38 Thanked: 5 Times	Quick update on the experiments suggested. 01) There are no beeps when turned on. To really check for the beeps, I had removed the RAM and turned it on. There were beeps which disappeared when I put back the RAM. 02) Removed the RAM, cleaned it, dusted it. Still no sign of life. RAM seems fine. I have used the same RAM in another PC and seems to be working fine. Finally I turned on the monitor and disconnected the monitor cable that is connected to the PC. The monitor displayed "no input signal". I feel this kind of confirms that monitor is also fine and culprit is the motherboard. Please let me know if you have some suggestions. Thanks
	() Thanks

28th July 2009, 12:57	#15
pranavt Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,682 Thanked: 639 Times View My Garage	Did you try removing the jumper? It has happened to me before on 5-6 year old motherboards, and this has somehow fixed it.
	() Thanks