system won't post

CDsDontBurn · Jan 8, 2008, 08:51 PM

so, i'm fixing a machine for a client of mine because the system won't post.

now, through all the trouble shooting i've done so far, i've narrowed the problem down to the CPU (s754 sempron) or the motherboard (unkown, aka gateway POS MoBo K8M via chipset) being the problem.

what i've done:
used a PSU tester (need to use a multimeter still to make sure the PSU is putting out at least 11.80v), took out the RAM (check for a no RAM post code), and took out the CPU (check for a no CPU post code). i don't have another CPU or another MoBo to test out either of the two components. however, from the description of what my client has told me, it leads me to believe that the issue is with the motherboard.

the sympton(s) described by my client:
they told me that their computer had been acting up to the point that the screen was showing weird colors when playing games. the colors they described eventually followed to the desktop and other 2D applications. now, you might think that it's simply the card and replace the gfx card. but, it's onboard video, lol. anyways, the issue persisted and eventually the machine just shut off on them. from that point onward, whenever they would go power up the machine, the machine would power up but would not get a POST beep or anything on the screen.

so, the reason as to why i believe it is the MoBo, is from what they described to me. i want to order a new MoBo from NewEgg to get this fixed, but i don't want to at the same time because i'm not 100% positive that it is the MoBo.

what do you guys think it is? the MoBo, or the CPU?

Judas · Jan 8, 2008, 10:57 PM

It's 99% the mobo packing up on them... specially in an onboard video situation.....

if it won't give a beep code for ram... or cpu........ it's toast..

kris23 · Jan 9, 2008, 12:33 AM

i vote mobo

CPUs really are the last thing to die in a stock machine unless run at 80C 24/7 or something..... if death on regular terms..... then thats pretty rare within 5 years or so

Judas · Jan 9, 2008, 12:41 AM

I don't know, i've seen ALOT of OEM prebuilt machines in which the CPU had died,fried...... when you pull the heatsink and find a highly splotchy purple/green/blue tones on the die.... it's not a good sign.

CDsDontBurn · Jan 9, 2008, 03:37 AM

yea, i didn't see any peculiar colors on the CPU anywhere. so, if the CPU died, it wasn't due to overheating at all.

so, i guess i will order this motherboard, and hope that the board does fire up on first post. otherwise, imna have to buy another sempron CPU

Judas · Jan 9, 2008, 10:43 AM

wow.. you'll be out SO much money on the sempron...

CDsDontBurn · Jan 9, 2008, 01:23 PM

well, for me it's not so much a big deal. but for my client, money is an issue.

kris23 · Jan 9, 2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

I don't know, i've seen ALOT of OEM prebuilt machines in which the CPU had died,fried...... when you pull the heatsink and find a highly splotchy purple/green/blue tones on the die.... it's not a good sign.

corrosion much?

Judas · Jan 9, 2008, 07:18 PM

no.... overheating.... when you check with a thermal sensor and the cpu surface temp is running 70+ all the time.... good reason for discolored die

kris23 · Jan 9, 2008, 07:25 PM

lol, i hate it when i find crappy designs on computers. thats all too sad to see.....

cut corners and increase profits by shortening system life

Tipstaff · Jan 9, 2008, 08:31 PM

My bet is the mobo as well, although since we're dealing with onboard video, if you can, try a different stick of ram, and a different slot too since this is where the system is getting it's video ram from.

BTW, what is the condition of the capacitors around the CPU? Are any of them bulged up, or leaking?

CDsDontBurn · Jan 9, 2008, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

My bet is the mobo as well, although since we're dealing with onboard video, if you can, try a different stick of ram, and a different slot too since this is where the system is getting it's video ram from.

BTW, what is the condition of the capacitors around the CPU? Are any of them bulged up, or leaking?

the capacitors are the first thing i looked at. i've learned from experience that capacitors is the first thing that needs to be looked at. upon inspection of the capacitors, none of them were bulging nor leaking in any manner.

i will try the RAM thing, but i'm not too confident that it's the ram, since when i pulled out the one stick of RAM it still gave no post code.

Tipstaff · Jan 10, 2008, 12:09 AM

man.. I gotta stop posting when I'm as tired as I am right now. I just miss the very obvious things. Rereading your first post I realized I missed the part that says it won't POST any more.

<sigh> So obvious what I suggest will not work if it won't even post. <sigh> Think I'll leave the tech suggestions until I've actually slept.

Judas · Jan 10, 2008, 01:12 AM