Death Of A Motherboard

[Reloadron]

Thought I would share this if for nothing else the humor in it. A few weeks ago our mechanic dropped off a machine with my wife for me to take a look at. One of those "No Rush" affairs as they had replaced it.

The Machine:
Power Spec Model 5500
AMD Processor
Windows XP
1 GB ofr RAM
80 GB Hard Drive

I got the machine with a bag containing the power cord and the HDD and a few screws.

The Disaster:

Apparently two young sons were "Playing Air Guitar" using the keyboard as the guitar (Not quite air guitar). Somehow a squabble ensued and one of them slam dunked the keyboard, at which point the machine "freaked out" and quit. I have no clue why the HDD was removed.

I put things back together and tried a power up. CPU fan spins up, as well as other fans and that is about it. The HDD activity light glows constantly. The keyboard (one of my keyboards) shows a momentary and I mean very momentary flicker on its LEDs, the mouse (optical) does not illuminate. Absolutely no video out from the integrated onboard video.

Just for the hell of it I did check the PSU voltages which are fine. I also checked the processor 12 Volts which is fine. There is no post at all. Sitting there running, there is no heat at all, the HSF is cold.

Keyboard and mouse were PS2 and I have tried USB. I did swap the PSU and same results. Trying for a post with both keyboard and mouse removed yields nothing. Trying for a post with optical and HDD disconnected (totally) yields the same nothing. Oh yeah, I did swap the RAM around (desperation move).

My only guess is when the original keyboard was slammed it screwed the 5 Volt power from the motherboard? Somehow killing the motherboard?

Since the system has been replaced and it is a very low end system I can't see them investing anything in this machine. However, I thought I would share the story. Anyone seen this symptom of a very brief flash of the keyboard LEDs and then nothing?

Ron

[Lead Head]

Did you try replacing the RAM, or reseating it? I had problems like that before, no post, etc..then I just reseated the ram and it worked again.

[Reloadron]

Originally Posted by Lead Head

Did you try replacing the RAM, or reseating it? I had problems like that before, no post, etc..then I just reseated the ram and it worked again.

Yes, I tried that. Tried one stick, then the other. Reseated both. Reset the BIOS also. As it stands now I see it as a parts locker with a few good parts. I will return it with the suggestion the problem is likely a bad motherboard. I doubt they will want it.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Ron

[stinger608]

What AMD chip is in the system?

[Reloadron]

Hi Stinger

Originally Posted by stinger608

What AMD chip is in the system?

Chipset looks to be ATI RS482 (ECS Motherboard)
AMD 64 Sempron Processor

Note: Even after sitting there 30 min or so everything (Chipset, Processor & RAM) are cold to the touch. Fans run and voltages measured at the motherboard are all good.

Ron

[Beetle Bailey]

Have you tried to get a post with the HDD unplugged? I have seen this happen a few times myself. Bailey

[stinger608]

Originally Posted by Reloadron

Trying for a post with optical and HDD disconnected (totally) yields the same nothing.

Originally Posted by Beetle Bailey

Have you tried to get a post with the HDD unplugged? I have seen this happen a few times myself. Bailey

[screwballl]

socket 754 boards are cheap enough that you can do one of 2 things:
1) tell them that it needs the replacement mobo which will be XX dollars (whatever newegg or local PC shops has them for)
2) if they decide to just scrap it, you got a parts box or replace the mobo yourself for a server or backup system or whatever you want it for

[Reloadron]

Originally Posted by screwballl

socket 754 boards are cheap enough that you can do one of 2 things:
1) tell them that it needs the replacement mobo which will be XX dollars (whatever newegg or local PC shops has them for)
2) if they decide to just scrap it, you got a parts box or replace the mobo yourself for a server or backup system or whatever you want it for

Yeah, that is about my plan. I will do a small write up and return it. Greg will likely tell me to keep it. The machine can be had running on Craig's List locally for about $100 so there really isn't much there. Parts are about it.

Thanks
Ron