T
travisbicks
My system:-
Motherboard: (socket 939)
CPU: AMD 64 3700
Video card: Geforce 7600 GT (PCIe)
Power supply: SWEEX BA000110 650 Watt
Memory: 2 x 512MB ddr-400MHz PC 3200
I recently installed a new SATA hard drive and took the opportunity to
clean my computer. I used a can of compressed air to clean the
components and then placed a hoover nozzle inside the case to collect
the dust I’d disturbed with the compressed air.
After installing the drive I booted my computer and Win XP loaded as
normal. The new drive was recognised under “Computer Management” but I
didn’t initialise it. I used my computer for several hours that
evening and it appeared to be working as normal. The next morning I
booted the computer and downloaded some pod casts. I then inserted my
USB mp3 flash player to transfer the pod casts. When I looked at my
monitor a moment later it was displaying a Win XP blue screen error
message. Foolishly, being late for work, I didn’t read the message
properly, but I believe it mentioned an “exception error” and advised
me to remove any recently installed hardware. I turned the computer
off and thought it would be a simple matter of altering the BIOS or
removing the new drive when I returned home.
When I returned I attempted to boot my computer and found that the
monitor remained completely blank. There is power going to the
motherboard and other components as all power LEDs are lit and all
fans are operating. I then turned off and removed the new hard drive
with no change. There are no error beeps from the motherboard and I
noticed that there was no internal speaker connected to the mother
board. I therefore salvaged two internal speakers from old machines
and connected each of these in turn – still no error beeps (These
speakers had a four pin plug but with only the two outer pins wired.
The motherboard header for the internal speaker has a four pin plug
but only three pins. I am assuming that having only two wired pins on
the speakers should make no difference and they should still
function.)
To attempt to discover where the problem lay I took the following
actions:-
• I tested the monitor with another machine and found it to be
working.
• I tested my video card in another machine and found that it is
working.
• I tried a known working PCIe video card in my machine – no change.
• I disconnected all hard drives – no change.
• I reseated the CPU and heatsink – no change.
• I tried reseating both memory modules and testing each in turn – no
change
• I tried resetting the CMOS by both removal of motherboard battery
and motherboard jumper switch – no change.
• I removed all components attached to the motherboard apart from CPU
and heatsink, memory, video card, and case front panel – no change
• The ECS KN1 SLI motherboard had a “top hat flash” BIOS restore
feature. I attempted to use this with no effect.
I think I have eliminated all faults other than the motherboard, the
power supply or the CPU. As all fans are functioning, I believe the
power supply is unlikely to be faulty and, as the motherboard gives no
error beeps, I think the fault is most likely to lie with the
motherboard.
My questions are:-
1. Are there any other tests I should do to establish that the fault
is with the motherboard?
2. Could the fault be with the power supply despite the fact that
power appears to be supplied?
3. If the motherboard is faulty, is it possible or worth having it
repaired or would I be better to buy another 939 socket motherboard?
4. What might have been the cause of this fault? I can only speculate
that I might have caused damage by accidentally touching the
motherboard or through being over zealous with the air can. It seems
strange though that my computer was working for a time following the
hard drive installation and cleaning.
I apologise for the length of this post but wanted to give all
relevant information. I will be most grateful for any ideas or advice
people may have. Thank you.
Motherboard: (socket 939)
CPU: AMD 64 3700
Video card: Geforce 7600 GT (PCIe)
Power supply: SWEEX BA000110 650 Watt
Memory: 2 x 512MB ddr-400MHz PC 3200
I recently installed a new SATA hard drive and took the opportunity to
clean my computer. I used a can of compressed air to clean the
components and then placed a hoover nozzle inside the case to collect
the dust I’d disturbed with the compressed air.
After installing the drive I booted my computer and Win XP loaded as
normal. The new drive was recognised under “Computer Management” but I
didn’t initialise it. I used my computer for several hours that
evening and it appeared to be working as normal. The next morning I
booted the computer and downloaded some pod casts. I then inserted my
USB mp3 flash player to transfer the pod casts. When I looked at my
monitor a moment later it was displaying a Win XP blue screen error
message. Foolishly, being late for work, I didn’t read the message
properly, but I believe it mentioned an “exception error” and advised
me to remove any recently installed hardware. I turned the computer
off and thought it would be a simple matter of altering the BIOS or
removing the new drive when I returned home.
When I returned I attempted to boot my computer and found that the
monitor remained completely blank. There is power going to the
motherboard and other components as all power LEDs are lit and all
fans are operating. I then turned off and removed the new hard drive
with no change. There are no error beeps from the motherboard and I
noticed that there was no internal speaker connected to the mother
board. I therefore salvaged two internal speakers from old machines
and connected each of these in turn – still no error beeps (These
speakers had a four pin plug but with only the two outer pins wired.
The motherboard header for the internal speaker has a four pin plug
but only three pins. I am assuming that having only two wired pins on
the speakers should make no difference and they should still
function.)
To attempt to discover where the problem lay I took the following
actions:-
• I tested the monitor with another machine and found it to be
working.
• I tested my video card in another machine and found that it is
working.
• I tried a known working PCIe video card in my machine – no change.
• I disconnected all hard drives – no change.
• I reseated the CPU and heatsink – no change.
• I tried reseating both memory modules and testing each in turn – no
change
• I tried resetting the CMOS by both removal of motherboard battery
and motherboard jumper switch – no change.
• I removed all components attached to the motherboard apart from CPU
and heatsink, memory, video card, and case front panel – no change
• The ECS KN1 SLI motherboard had a “top hat flash” BIOS restore
feature. I attempted to use this with no effect.
I think I have eliminated all faults other than the motherboard, the
power supply or the CPU. As all fans are functioning, I believe the
power supply is unlikely to be faulty and, as the motherboard gives no
error beeps, I think the fault is most likely to lie with the
motherboard.
My questions are:-
1. Are there any other tests I should do to establish that the fault
is with the motherboard?
2. Could the fault be with the power supply despite the fact that
power appears to be supplied?
3. If the motherboard is faulty, is it possible or worth having it
repaired or would I be better to buy another 939 socket motherboard?
4. What might have been the cause of this fault? I can only speculate
that I might have caused damage by accidentally touching the
motherboard or through being over zealous with the air can. It seems
strange though that my computer was working for a time following the
hard drive installation and cleaning.
I apologise for the length of this post but wanted to give all
relevant information. I will be most grateful for any ideas or advice
people may have. Thank you.
