Dead motherboard

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phil

I am working on my daughter's ABit AN7 computer. The Northbridge fan
was noisy, so I opened it up, lifted the seal from the bearings and
added a drop of oil. Tried to reboot with the case open, but boot
process hung. This MB has a post code display, and the code shows that
preliminary power checks pass, but fails to run the BIOS posts (code
90). I have removed the video card and unplugged all drives and
memory. Result is the same.

1. Any thoughts as to how to proceed?

2. Suggestions on possible MB replacements that will take AMD XP 2700,
PC3200 DDR, with SATA. I see the AN7 still listed, but the price is
$169 (more than I paid 2 years ago)!

3. Suggestions on minimal upgrade to 64bit CPU and MB. Is it possible
to use the old memory with any of them?

I am away from home and must leave early Sunday, but am in the Chicago
area, so store access is good.

Your suggestions are appreciated!

Phil
 
phil said:
I am working on my daughter's ABit AN7 computer. The Northbridge
fan was noisy, so I opened it up, lifted the seal from the bearings
and added a drop of oil. Tried to reboot with the case open, but boot
process hung. This MB has a post code display, and the code shows
that preliminary power checks pass, but fails to run the BIOS posts
(code 90). I have removed the video card and unplugged all drives
and memory. Result is the same.
Click to expand...

Abit claims that is usually seen with a failed overclock
http://www.google.com.au/search?q=post+code+"at+90"+site:abit.com.tw
1. Any thoughts as to how to proceed?
Click to expand...

Dont overclock if its currently overclocked.

Check for bad caps on the motherboard if its not overclocked.
2. Suggestions on possible MB replacements that will take
AMD XP 2700, PC3200 DDR, with SATA. I see the AN7 still
listed, but the price is $169 (more than I paid 2 years ago)!
Click to expand...
3. Suggestions on minimal upgrade to 64bit CPU and MB.
Is it possible to use the old memory with any of them?
Click to expand...
 
phil said:
I am working on my daughter's ABit AN7 computer. The Northbridge fan
was noisy, so I opened it up, lifted the seal from the bearings and
added a drop of oil. Tried to reboot with the case open, but boot
process hung.
Click to expand...

and it ran fine before the oil?


This MB has a post code display, and the code shows that
preliminary power checks pass, but fails to run the BIOS posts (code
90).
Click to expand...

clear the CMOS or you could try loading the boot defaults.

I have removed the video card and unplugged all drives and
memory. Result is the same.

1. Any thoughts as to how to proceed?

2. Suggestions on possible MB replacements that will take AMD XP 2700,
PC3200 DDR, with SATA. I see the AN7 still listed, but the price is
$169 (more than I paid 2 years ago)!
Click to expand...

unless there is something that you already know is wrong with the board I
don't see how it can be trashed by oiling the NB fan
 
and it ran fine before the oil?

Yes, other than low fan speed alarm for the first minute or so! But no
indication of excess temperature.
clear the CMOS or you could try loading the boot defaults.
Click to expand...

Cleared - no change
unless there is something that you already know is wrong with the board I
don't see how it can be trashed by oiling the NB fan
Click to expand...

I agree - except sometimes flexing circuit boards or connectors can
show up a problem. But I agree, this shouldn't be happening.

Phil
 
I am working on my daughter's ABit AN7 computer. The Northbridge fan
was noisy, so I opened it up, lifted the seal from the bearings and
added a drop of oil. Tried to reboot with the case open, but boot
process hung. This MB has a post code display, and the code shows that
preliminary power checks pass, but fails to run the BIOS posts (code
90). I have removed the video card and unplugged all drives and
memory. Result is the same.

1. Any thoughts as to how to proceed?

2. Suggestions on possible MB replacements that will take AMD XP 2700,
PC3200 DDR, with SATA. I see the AN7 still listed, but the price is
$169 (more than I paid 2 years ago)!

3. Suggestions on minimal upgrade to 64bit CPU and MB. Is it possible
to use the old memory with any of them?

I am away from home and must leave early Sunday, but am in the Chicago
area, so store access is good.

Your suggestions are appreciated!

Phil
Click to expand...

Make sure everything is still plugged in. You might have dislodged a
power cable.

Stephen
--
 
Stephen said:
Make sure everything is still plugged in. You might have dislodged a
power cable.
Click to expand...


At this point I have the MB removed from case and disconnected from
everything except PSU. New CMOS battery installed. A good board should
boot part way into the bios and show a post code that no video card is
found.

This one stops after the uGuru initializes. The bios fails to complete
its first step - checking CMOS I/O.

I have tried a different PSU.

I have tried starting with insert key pressed, then resetting. No Go.

At this point it looks like MB or CPU.

I have to have a working machine by Sunday early. Looks like the best
bet is to buy a new Dual Core with minimal extras and move the drives
from the dead machine to it. Then fix this one when there is time.

I hope I'm not missing something easy!

Phil
 
Stephen said:
Make sure everything is still plugged in. You might have dislodged a
power cable.
Click to expand...


At this point I have the MB removed from case and disconnected from
everything except PSU. New CMOS battery installed. A good board should
boot part way into the bios and show a post code that no video card is
found.

This one stops after the uGuru initializes. The bios fails to complete
its first step - checking CMOS I/O.

I have tried a different PSU.

I have tried starting with insert key pressed, then resetting. No Go.

At this point it looks like MB or CPU.

I have to have a working machine by Sunday early. Looks like the best
bet is to buy a new Dual Core with minimal extras and move the drives
from the dead machine to it. Then fix this one when there is time.

I hope I'm not missing something easy!

Phil
 
phil said:
At this point I have the MB removed from case and disconnected from
everything except PSU. New CMOS battery installed. A good board should
boot part way into the bios and show a post code that no video card is
found.

This one stops after the uGuru initializes. The bios fails to complete
its first step - checking CMOS I/O.

I have tried a different PSU.

I have tried starting with insert key pressed, then resetting. No Go.

At this point it looks like MB or CPU.

I have to have a working machine by Sunday early. Looks like the best
bet is to buy a new Dual Core with minimal extras and move the drives
from the dead machine to it. Then fix this one when there is time.

I hope I'm not missing something easy!

Phil
Click to expand...

Be ready to do a repair install, you usually just cant swap boot drives
from one computer to another.

Ari

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