Argh! Got computer from storage and it's not working

[shmokes]

Dammit! I've had belonging sitting in a storage container (think Pods) for almost exactly a year, since I left Miami. I've just moved into a new apartment in D.C. and finally had the thing shipped to me. Amazingly everything is exactly as we packed it. No significant shifting. Nothing damaged.

But I got my computer, which worked perfectly fine before, all set up and it won't turn on. Or, rather, it fires up--fans come on, hard drives and optical drives spin up, but the computer won't post. It never sends a signal to the monitors, the USB keyboard doesn't initialize. And, worst of all, no beep codes!

So far I haven't done anything other than I pulled off all the superfluous accessories and reseated the ram. Neither helped. So irritating, especially after I just finished unloading all my stuff  (including the heaviest arcade cabinet on planet earth) and lugging it up multiple flights of stairs.

[Jammin0]

Could be a bad hard drive.  I just pulled a PC out of storage and it turned on but powered down minutes to seconds later.  Luckily I figured out pretty quickly that the heatsink had come loose and wasn't tight on the processor, clamped her back down and no thermal shutdown now. 

Good luck. 

[SavannahLion]

Check those caps too. My old job has a PC in cold storage. Bored and assigned to a job for four hours and completed in 15 I decided to see what, exactly, was on the PC. Pulled it out of cold storage, let it warm up for a bit and fired it up... and nothing. Fans were spinning but not a whole lot else. Did the usual and finally pulled open the case. Caps had burst like a bunch of grapes. Weird crystaline formations so it's been like that for a while. Not a pretty sight.

Tried to explain to the boss the PC wasn't being stored properly and needed repairs/replacement but got the cold shoulder. In a bizarre ---fouled up beyond all recognition--- up twist of legal crap, they have to keep the PC exactly as it was when it was stored. Nothing against you shmokes but those legal ---uvulas--- don't know how to preserve anything more sophisticated than a clay tablet.

[Howard_Casto]

Check your CMOS battery.  It can cause all kinds of stupid POST errors. 

PCs need to be stored at room temperature for the record.... all electronics do.

[danny_galaga]

[testicle187]

Reseat your RAM chips.  Most likely they got bumped loose in shipping.

[Malenko]

power supply

[ChadTower]

So far I haven't done anything other than I pulled off all the superfluous accessories and reseated the ram. Neither helped.

Reseat your RAM chips.  Most likely they got bumped loose in shipping.

[Mikezilla]

So far I haven't done anything other than I pulled off all the superfluous accessories and reseated the ram. Neither helped.

Reseat your RAM chips.  Most likely they got bumped loose in shipping.

 

[shmokes]

Battery was my next guess too since it's been sitting so long without being turned on. No dice. Just installed a brand new one and hit the clear CMOS jumper. It's doing the same thing. Super frustrating.

The stuff was stored in a moving container, which was itself stored in an air conditioned warehouse in Miami. My computer's only about 1.5 years old and it's all quality parts which were, as I mentioned, working perfectly befor I stored them.

I got some compressed air. Next step is to get rid of all the dust, reseat the CPU and clean the contacts on all the RAM and cards. Beyond that it's a damned crap shoot between MB and processor. Or maybe even the video card. I was at least able to rule out RAM because I have multiple sticks so I tried booting with various configurations. Unfortunately, I don't have a testbed to check the processor or extra motherboards lying around.

[ark_ader]

Battery was my next guess too since it's been sitting so long without being turned on. No dice. Just installed a brand new one and hit the clear CMOS jumper. It's doing the same thing. Super frustrating.

The stuff was stored in a moving container, which was itself stored in an air conditioned warehouse in Miami. My computer's only about 1.5 years old and it's all quality parts which were, as I mentioned, working perfectly befor I stored them.

I got some compressed air. Next step is to get rid of all the dust, reseat the CPU and clean the contacts on all the RAM and cards. Beyond that it's a damned crap shoot between MB and processor. Or maybe even the video card. I was at least able to rule out RAM because I have multiple sticks so I tried booting with various configurations. Unfortunately, I don't have a testbed to check the processor or extra motherboards lying around.

Why don't you just go and buy a new one?

They are cheap enough.   

[shmokes]

I don't even know what that means. Is it sarcasm? The eye roll suggests you are referring, perhaps to some past conversation. At any rate it either went over my head or fell totally flat. I don't know what you're saying.

[Malenko]

I don't even know what that means. Is it sarcasm? The eye roll suggests you are referring, perhaps to some past conversation. At any rate it either went over my head or fell totally flat. I don't know what you're saying.

srsly though, its probably this:

power supply

[leapinlew]

srsly though, its probably this:

power supply

Yup.

[MonMotha]

If it does nothing except spin up the fans, I'd bank on RAM or CPU being unseated.  Also check that your heatsink is attached and the fan is working - many systems will shut down if there's a CPU fan fault or if they detect overheating so that the CPU isn't damaged.  After that, try replacing the power supply.  The fact that it's clearly doing something (fans / HDD spinning) leads me to suspect something else initially but certainly doesn't rule out a power supply issue.  Check that the 12V (4/8 pin) cable is hooked up to the motherboard.  If it's unhooked, you'll get exactly what you describe.

PCs and electronics in general do NOT need to be stored at "room temp", but it would be recommended if possible.  They're usually good for storage over about 0-50C and potentially quite a bit wider (-20-70C is common).  They can potentially survive freezing so long as there's no condensation.  Higher temperatures can cause premature degradation of flash memory.  You should ALWAYS let the device come to room temp before turning it on, though.  This usually means 24 hours under controlled conditions.  NEVER power up heat producing devices (CPUs, CRT monitors, etc.) from a very cold state.  The thermal shock as they heat up rapidly will often break things.

Some precision instruments may be damaged or need realignment after being subject to temperature extremes, but such instruments usually need realignment every so often, anyway.  PCs would not generally fall into this category with the possible exception of hard drives.  Dirt, condensation, static discharge, etc. are all far more damaging to electronic systems than mild (i.e. 0-50C) temperature extremes.  If you're even remotely comfortable in it, the electronics are fine with it if they're not in operation.  While operating, it depends entirely on the system design.  25C is usually the design target.

[shmokes]

Unfortunately, at this point I'll have to pay to have it looked at. I'm still gonna short the power supply and check the leads, but since it's spinning up the fans and hard drives I expect that they'll all report proper voltages--which gives me the only marginally useful information that the power supply can deliver proper voltages with no load. At any rate, I don't have any extra power supplies with the proper connectors, thus I'll have to take it to someone who does. PITA.

[ark_ader]

I don't even know what that means. Is it sarcasm? The eye roll suggests you are referring, perhaps to some past conversation. At any rate it either went over my head or fell totally flat. I don't know what you're saying.

I'm saying go buy another computer, they are cheap enough.   

You must have gotten a job by now....

[DaOld Man]

I had this exact same problem.
I checked the power supply and it showed up as bad on my tester.
I tried a different power supply that did test good, and it didnt help.
I think there are cases where the power supply goes bad and takes out something on the motherboard.
I tried unplugging everything, using different ram, still no go.
All that is left is to try a different CPU (I dont have one so I cant do that).
I thought about buying a new motherboard just so I could rule out the cpu, but hate to do that just for a test.

[shmokes]

I don't even know what that means. Is it sarcasm? The eye roll suggests you are referring, perhaps to some past conversation. At any rate it either went over my head or fell totally flat. I don't know what you're saying.

I'm saying go buy another computer, they are cheap enough.   

You must have gotten a job by now....

This advice was so idiotic the first time you offered it that I didn't think you were serious. Please stop talking.

[CCM]

I don't even know what that means. Is it sarcasm? The eye roll suggests you are referring, perhaps to some past conversation. At any rate it either went over my head or fell totally flat. I don't know what you're saying.

I'm saying go buy another computer, they are cheap enough.   

You must have gotten a job by now....

This advice was so idiotic the first time you offered it that I didn't think you were serious. Please stop talking.

It may not be that idiotic depending on how old the computer is and how much you will have to pay someone to look at it.

[ark_ader]

I don't even know what that means. Is it sarcasm? The eye roll suggests you are referring, perhaps to some past conversation. At any rate it either went over my head or fell totally flat. I don't know what you're saying.

I'm saying go buy another computer, they are cheap enough.   

You must have gotten a job by now....

This advice was so idiotic the first time you offered it that I didn't think you were serious. Please stop talking.

Hes either cheap or needs attention.

I figure the latter. 

[shmokes]

It may not be that idiotic depending on how old the computer is and how much you will have to pay someone to look at it.

My computer's only about 1.5 years old and it's all quality parts which were, as I mentioned, working perfectly befor I stored them.

Yeah, the advice is idiotic. And the added eye roll, like, duh . . . when your computer stops working you just buy a new one, adds hilarity to the idiocy. It's like someone posting about a part going bad on their Harley rendering it inoperable and giving them advice to just buy a Yamaha scooter because they're so inexpensive. Stupidity. Hell, even if my current machine and the chintzy one ark linked to were similar in horsepower (they're not), I'd still prefer to get mine going then to get a barebones one, install an OS, configure everything, install Office and the Creative Suite and a dozen other apps just to get it basically functioning.

[CCM]

 I'd still prefer to get mine going then to get a barebones one, install an OS, configure everything, install Office and the Creative Suite and a dozen other apps just to get it basically functioning.

Unless the the harddrive in your computer is shot... then you'll be doing all that anyway.

[abispac]

 I'd still prefer to get mine going then to get a barebones one, install an OS, configure everything, install Office and the Creative Suite and a dozen other apps just to get it basically functioning.

Unless the the harddrive in your computer is shot... then you'll be doing all that anyway.

JUST STFU PLEASE.
In the other hand, i had the same problem as you do more then 10 times, and all of them where bad power supplys, so before paying 50 bucks or more to someone , ill say you can buy a cheap power supply. I bet thats going to be your problem.

[shmokes]

 I'd still prefer to get mine going then to get a barebones one, install an OS, configure everything, install Office and the Creative Suite and a dozen other apps just to get it basically functioning.

Unless the the harddrive in your computer is shot... then you'll be doing all that anyway.

A dead hard drive won't prevent a computer from posting. So if that ends up being the case it will be coincidental.

[404]

you're problem is, you stored it in Miami. Damn i hate this city.  

All jokes (and flames) aside. Let's go through a checklist just to clear the air here.

• make sure you have no blown components. Look for the obvious, blown or bloated capacitors, any burn marks on the board etc
• remove all unnecessary peripherals like dvd drives. If your board supports on board graphics, remove your graphics card and try that
• Unseat the processor. If its an intel processor look closely to see if the motherboard has any dislocated pins. AMD units, look at the processor to see if you have any bent or warped pins. If you have a large heatpipe based cooler, you probably should have removed it before transporting. the weight and height of them can sometimes warp processor ports and even warp your motherboard if you have a weak motherboard supporting backplate.
• remove your processor and turn on the pc without it in the socket. It sounds crazy but some motherboards generally won't even turn on without the processor completing the circuit. This may indicate that its something else besides your processor.
• remove all of your ram insert one stick at a time into the first dimm slot only and see if you can post that way.

[ark_ader]

It's like someone posting about a part going bad on their Harley rendering it inoperable and giving them advice to just buy a Yamaha scooter because they're so inexpensive. Stupidity.

That comment above sure sounded stupid.

Comparing Harleys to PCs now... 

[Ed_McCarron]

It's like someone posting about a part going bad on their Harley rendering it inoperable and giving them advice to just buy a Yamaha scooter because they're so inexpensive. Stupidity.

That comment above sure sounded stupid.

Comparing Harleys to PCs now... 

At least he's not comparing Macs to PCs...  Er, wrong thread.   

[Hoopz]

Didnt we already have a thread about light bulbs and broken lamps?   

Or is that reference from too long ago?

[SavannahLion]

Didnt we already have a thread about light bulbs and broken lamps?   

Or is that reference from too long ago?

Lampy from Brave Little Toaster?

[leapinlew]

It may not be that idiotic depending on how old the computer is and how much you will have to pay someone to look at it.

My computer's only about 1.5 years old and it's all quality parts which were, as I mentioned, working perfectly befor I stored them.

Yeah, the advice is idiotic. And the added eye roll, like, duh . . . when your computer stops working you just buy a new one, adds hilarity to the idiocy. It's like someone posting about a part going bad on their Harley rendering it inoperable and giving them advice to just buy a Yamaha scooter because they're so inexpensive. Stupidity. Hell, even if my current machine and the chintzy one ark linked to were similar in horsepower (they're not), I'd still prefer to get mine going then to get a barebones one, install an OS, configure everything, install Office and the Creative Suite and a dozen other apps just to get it basically functioning.

Time will tell if it's idiotic advice. If you put no value on your time or it is fixed quickly and it ends up being a no to low cost item to fix then you are the winner. If it takes a long time to fix and/or an expensive or hard to item has failed you will have wasted time and will still need to spend money.

What complicates matters further is you didn't specify the specs of the computer which would have given a clue as to how old the computer was. Heck, we don't even know if it's a laptop. I've seen computers get replaced because they had spyware and were too old to justify spending 30 minutes trying to get working. I've had computers which were old, but the data they contained was so valuable I spent an inordinate amount of time getting them functioning again.  I've seen people replace computers simply because they couldn't find parts, even though it was an easy fix (laptops are good for this).

Good luck getting it going. Ignore the advice from people if you don't think they are being constructive, but posting more info will be helpful for those who are trying to help you.

[Funnel]

Did you check the caps around the CPU? My PC was doing the same thing you described. Took a look at the caps and bam! Two of them were effed up. They may look like this:

[shmokes]

Time will tell if it's idiotic advice. If you put no value on your time or it is fixed quickly and it ends up being a no to low cost item to fix then you are the winner. If it takes a long time to fix and/or an expensive or hard to item has failed you will have wasted time and will still need to spend money.

What complicates matters further is you didn't specify the specs of the computer which would have given a clue as to how old the computer was. Heck, we don't even know if it's a laptop. I've seen computers get replaced because they had spyware and were too old to justify spending 30 minutes trying to get working. I've had computers which were old, but the data they contained was so valuable I spent an inordinate amount of time getting them functioning again.  I've seen people replace computers simply because they couldn't find parts, even though it was an easy fix (laptops are good for this).

Good luck getting it going. Ignore the advice from people if you don't think they are being constructive, but posting more info will be helpful for those who are trying to help you.

The advice is idiotic, but honestly I don't just automatically point out a person's stupidity just because they do something stupid. ark has a history of being obnoxious, and his post here fits his MO.

I realize that I didn't explicitly say it's a desktop, but I did discuss reseating the videocard, running multiple monitors, replacing the battery/jumping the clear CMOS jumper, reseating the processor, reseating the videocard, shorting the power supply and checking the leads, etc. I can't imagine that anyone who knows anything about servicing a PC had any question whether we're talking about a laptop or a desktop.

As for the specs, it's an ASUS P6T motherboard with a Core i7 920 processor and 12GB of RAM (6 x 2GB). It's got an ATI HD 4870 video card, 5 SATA hard drives and a couple of optical drives on the IDE channel.

No matter how you slice it, buying a new computer would be FAR more expensive (to buy an equivalent one) and probably far more time consuming too (cos the OS and applications would have to be set up from scratch). Anyway, the case is super nice. Even if I decided to buy a new computer it would make sense to just populate this case with new parts. In that case (no pun intended), since I already have this current computer with very good parts (aside from whatever one is broken), it only makes sense that I would reuse what I have and just buy the new part(s) I need. Which would be, of course, just fixing my existing computer.

[leapinlew]

ark has a history of being obnoxious

Can't argue with that.

Back on topic, what have you tried and have you had any luck yet?

[CCM]

12GB of RAM (6 x 2GB).

Have you pulled all the ram chips but one?  That would have been the first thing I tried...  Leave one in and if it boots, add them back one at time until you run into an issue.

[shmokes]

Yeah, I've tried a single chip in each socket (performed multiple times with different chips), a chip in every odd socket, a chip in every even socket. I've even booted with no RAM installed and I still get the same result (no beep codes). I'm confident that RAM is not an issue.

Back on topic, what have you tried and have you had any luck yet?

Replaced the battery
Cleared the CMOS
Reseated RAM, CPU, Videocard
Removed everything but those last three items
Cleaned the contacts on the videocard
Dusted the whole interior with compressed air
Visually inspected the capacitors (none appear blown)
Visually inspected the connectors on the processor and videocard and ram (no bent pins or burn marks)
Tested the leads from the power supply with multimeter - All showed proper voltages (4 pin peripheral connectors, 24 pin motherboard, 8 pin CPU)

[ChadTower]

So clearly the next step is testing the mobo with a different power supply or testing the power supply with a different mobo.

[shmokes]

Yeah. I've called a local computer guy to do just that. Hopefully he'll get back to me soon. It's taking forever, but his rates are much better than going to a place like Micro Center. Once upon a time I could easily have tested this myself, but I don't have access to testbeds anymore. The only way for me to test with another power supply would be to purchase another one. Likewise for the motherboard. I suppose I could go purchase a power supply, try it, and return it if it doesn't fix my problem. But the older I get, the less inclined I am to do things like that.

[ChadTower]

Heh.  Or you could troll around for a parts PC to test with.  Few things are easier to get than a dead PC.  Or hell just borrow someone's old PC.

[CCM]

Just go to best buy and pick up a power supply.   If it works, it's a cheap easy fix.  If you still have the same issue, return the power supply... no money out of pocket.   I wold not pay anyone to look at it until you have tried everything you can.

[Ed_McCarron]

Just go to best buy and pick up a power supply.   If it works, it's a cheap easy fix.  If you still have the same issue, return the power supply... no money out of pocket.   I wold not pay anyone to look at it until you have tried everything you can.

Unless, of course, the problem with the MOBO trashes the new PS.

Then, he's out a new power supply.

[Hoopz]

Just go to best buy and pick up a power supply.   If it works, it's a cheap easy fix.  If you still have the same issue, return the power supply... no money out of pocket.   I wold not pay anyone to look at it until you have tried everything you can.

Unless, of course, the problem with the MOBO trashes the new PS.

Then, Best Buy's out a new power supply.

Fixt













j/k 
Let's not open that can of worms again!

[Mikezilla]

Just go to best buy and pick up a power supply.   If it works, it's a cheap easy fix.  If you still have the same issue, return the power supply... no money out of pocket.   I wold not pay anyone to look at it until you have tried everything you can.

Unless, of course, the problem with the MOBO trashes the new PS.

Then, Best Buy's out a new power supply.

Fixt













j/k 
Let's not open that can of worms again!

Haha that was a great thread. 

[leapinlew]

Have you reseated the CPU and CPU fan? I don't test PSU's, I just replace them to see if they fix the issue. Lately, I seem to be swapping out more PSU's than anything else. It's high on the suspect list when things aren't working right.

[shmokes]

Back on topic, what have you tried and have you had any luck yet?

Replaced the battery
Cleared the CMOS
Reseated RAM, [/b]CPU[/b], Videocard
Removed everything but those last three items
Cleaned the contacts on the videocard
Dusted the whole interior with compressed air
Visually inspected the capacitors (none appear blown)
Visually inspected the connectors on the processor and videocard and ram (no bent pins or burn marks)
Tested the leads from the power supply with multimeter - All showed proper voltages (4 pin peripheral connectors, 24 pin motherboard, 8 pin CPU)

Musta just got lost in the list.

[shmokes]

Well . . . it ain't the power supply. 

[leapinlew]

Well . . . it ain't the power supply. 

Ouch... not looking good.

[BobA]

I cannot believe that more people don't have one of these in their tool box.

atx tester

[leapinlew]

I cannot believe that more people don't have one of these in their tool box.

atx tester

I just carry a known good PSU. I find it faster to swap out a PSU on a desktop computer than to test every connection. Especially when the problem is intermittent.

[shmokes]

I cannot believe that more people don't have one of these in their tool box.

atx tester

That's pretty cool. And it's so inexpensive that I'd buy it in a heartbeat if I still supported PCs for a living. As it stands now, I've already got a multimeter and as much as it's a pain shorting the power supply and testing each lead individually, it serves for my purposes. Now, if that thing could test a power supply under load it would be a different story . . .

[lilshawn]

Just a shot in the dark, but sometimes the good has a failsafe mode (used to boot when an overclocking configuration fails) on mine i have to hold insert and hold it while i power the computer on. check your manual.

I'm just thinking the bios  got corrupted. maybe you pull the chip and program it with a burner maybe? had to do that before.

[leapinlew]

I'm just thinking the bios  got corrupted.

I have never had to do that. As far as I'm concerned, if the BIOS were corrupt, I would be in the market for a new machine.

[knave]

I had a PC that showed similar symptoms a few years ago. It turned out to be a grounding issue. Some piece of the Mobo was touching the case and it wouldn't do anything. Once I fixed it the PC ran fine.

I would try taking the mobo out of the case and powering it up with ram/cpu only and see what you get.
I know its a PITA other than that it sounds like a bad Mobo.

One question, have you tried booting it w/o ram and see if you get any beeps?

[shmokes]

Yeah, tried booting with no RAM. Even tried booting with no CPU. Nothing I could do would produce beeps. I suppose I may as well try firing it up outside the case. I've already pulled it to send the motherboard back to the manufacturer for RMA. I was pretty fortunate there. Although the computer itself is not under warranty, Asus provides at least a 3 year warranty on all their motherboards, so I only have to pay for shipping. Much better than replacing a $300 motherboard, though. I'm still worried that the motherboard will come back and I'll still be in the same boat because the actual problem was the CPU or videocard. But I sort of doubt it. I can't imagine why one of those problems wouldn't be producing beep codes, even when I tried to boot with those devices removed entirely. So at this point, I'm leaning heavily toward motherboard. I'll throw it on a piece of cardboard and try to boot, though, just to be sure. The RMA is going to take 10 business days, not including shipping, so if I can figure out that the motherboard is fine before shipping it off, I'll be pretty happy.

[ark_ader]

Yeah, tried booting with no RAM. Even tried booting with no CPU. Nothing I could do would produce beeps. I suppose I may as well try firing it up outside the case. I've already pulled it to send the motherboard back to the manufacturer for RMA. I was pretty fortunate there. Although the computer itself is not under warranty, Asus provides at least a 3 year warranty on all their motherboards, so I only have to pay for shipping. Much better than replacing a $300 motherboard, though. I'm still worried that the motherboard will come back and I'll still be in the same boat because the actual problem was the CPU or videocard. But I sort of doubt it. I can't imagine why one of those problems wouldn't be producing beep codes, even when I tried to boot with those devices removed entirely. So at this point, I'm leaning heavily toward motherboard. I'll throw it on a piece of cardboard and try to boot, though, just to be sure. The RMA is going to take 10 business days, not including shipping, so if I can figure out that the motherboard is fine before shipping it off, I'll be pretty happy.

 

[shmokes]

You are one of the least intelligent people I've ever interacted with. Trust me, whatever funny thing you think you found in there is only going to make you look stupid. We've been down this road before.

[ark_ader]

You are one of the least intelligent people I've ever interacted with. Trust me, whatever funny thing you think you found in there is only going to make you look stupid. We've been down this road before.

That's even funnier. 

[abispac]

You are one of the least intelligent people I've ever interacted with. Trust me, whatever funny thing you think you found in there is only going to make you look stupid. We've been down this road before.

That's even funnier. 

No its not, stop bumpin you post count....

[CCM]

You are one of the least intelligent people I've ever interacted with. Trust me, whatever funny thing you think you found in there is only going to make you look stupid. We've been down this road before.

That's even funnier. 

stop bumpin you post count....

[CCM]

on topic... I agree with knave, it's gotta be the motherboard.

[ark_ader]

on topic... I agree with knave, it's gotta be the motherboard.

I know that and I'm like thousands of miles away.  I knew the what was the main issue when Shmokes was describing it, thus I referred to a swap solution.  What is even funnier is that Shmokes has some experience in PC troubleshooting.  I mean he is a lawyer - he is supposed to be quicker on the mark.  Swap out is like duh!  Oh no lets draw it out, get the multimeter out. 

But he prefers to act like a noob and post his dilemma on this forum instead of just swapping out the board.  But no I was being idiotic for suggesting that.  I was infringing on Shmokes intelligent domain.  He will send the board back, and find out it was far easier to just go out and buy a new board.  Especially one that is not obsolete.  I kind of feel sorry for him.

That is why it is so funny.   

I would understand if he had an arcade machine and transported it and found out it didn't work.  That would be interesting, and a learning experience.

Must be lonely being a lawyer.  Especially one that is so single minded.  :'(

Maybe I should do the extra year and qualify as a lawyer, how hard can it be?

What to call the law firm though.....?


 

[DaveMMR]

But he prefers to act like a noob and post his dilemma on this forum instead of just swapping out the board.  But no I was being idiotic for suggesting that.  I was infringing on Shmokes intelligent domain.  He will send the board back, and find out it was far easier to just go out and buy a new board.  Especially one that is not obsolete.  I kind of feel sorry for him.

I'm not trying to fight anyone's battles for them - forgive me if it seems that way - but I don't get why you think swapping the motherboard is the simplest solution.

I've run into many computer problems, a lot similar to what shmokes has and it has NEVER been the motherboard. While yes, they do break - they're also actually fairly resilient. So if I had done as you seem to think is common sense (swapping the board) I would have wasted a lot of time. Taking the motherboard out is not quick.

When you troubleshoot computers, you go with the easiest possible fix first - motherboard is a last resort after you exhausted everything.

(edited for clarity)

[BobA]

Last ditch effort.  Try the motherboard out of the case on a piece of cardboard with everything removed to see if you can get it to post.   Chassis shorts do occur but have not seen one for quite a few years. 

[ark_ader]

But he prefers to act like a noob and post his dilemma on this forum instead of just swapping out the board.  But no I was being idiotic for suggesting that.  I was infringing on Shmokes intelligent domain.  He will send the board back, and find out it was far easier to just go out and buy a new board.  Especially one that is not obsolete.  I kind of feel sorry for him.

I'm not trying to fight anyone's battles for them - forgive me if it seems that way - but I don't get why you think swapping the motherboard is the simplest solution.

I've run into many computer problems, a lot similar to what shmokes has and it has NEVER been the motherboard. While yes, they do break - they're also actually fairly resilient. So if I had done as you seem to think is common sense (swapping the board) I would have wasted a lot of time. Taking the motherboard out is not quick.

When you troubleshoot computers, you go with the easiest possible fix first - motherboard is a last resort after you exhausted everything.

(edited for clarity)

I would agree with you if I ran a shop and had loads of time on my hands.  But when you are manning a busy helpdesk and updating/fixing the units under pressure you tend to get a feel of a situation as it becomes old hat.  I guess a car mechanic can run into similar situations.  Again I would agree with your comment say fifteen years ago when motherboards were built like tanks, well putting it another way - your IO cards PSU and hard drives would fail before your mainboard did.  I have been building systems since just before I graduated school at 17.  I had a good business selling refurbished XT boxes out of my garage, before I turned my attention to networking.

Today mainboards are priced to be swapped out. Most boards have practically everything IO on them.  Sometimes if a board is cheap enough I would buy three just in case.  In the help desk scenario most of our issues were mainboard related.  You get that when you buy from the lowest bidder.    Shmokes knows that too.  That is why I like laughing at him.  The guy is such a predictable tool.      May he stay on these boards forever.    

[lilshawn]

Free motherboard is free. In my eyes that trumps paying to buy a new one. 

[shmokes]

But he prefers to act like a noob and post his dilemma on this forum instead of just swapping out the board.  But no I was being idiotic for suggesting that.

A #1, are you retarded? You didn't recommend swapping the motherboard. You recommended the exact opposite: stop wasting my time determining which part is bad and just buy a brand new complete system and throw out the broken one.

B #2, I have difficulty believing that you built and serviced PC's for so long. If you did, you were ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- at your job. Starting with swapping the motherboard, based on my computer's symptoms, is even more idiotic than I gave you credit for. It's a $300 motherboard, and while it turned out to not be the case, there is a far greater chance that the $1 battery had gone dead in storage than that the $300 motherboard spontaneously busted. And even if it was more likely that the motherboard was busted, even if there were only a 10% chance that it was the battery . . . it costs $1 and takes two seconds to swap out. The motherboard costs $300 to replace and is a right pain in the ass to swap. It doesn't take a genius to figure this out.



p.s.

Trust me, whatever funny thing you think you found in there is only going to make you look stupid. We've been down this road before.

[dre-w]

I had this same problem with my computer a year ago, I just poured a cup of warm water on it.   

seriously tho..  hope it gets fixed, I was without mine for 2 months.. seemed like an eternity

[ark_ader]

But he prefers to act like a noob and post his dilemma on this forum instead of just swapping out the board.  But no I was being idiotic for suggesting that.

A #1, are you retarded? You didn't recommend swapping the motherboard. You recommended the exact opposite: stop wasting my time determining which part is bad and just buy a brand new complete system and throw out the broken one.

B #2, I have difficulty believing that you built and serviced PC's for so long. If you did, you were ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- at your job. Starting with swapping the motherboard, based on my computer's symptoms, is even more idiotic than I gave you credit for. It's a $300 motherboard, and while it turned out to not be the case, there is a far greater chance that the $1 battery had gone dead in storage than that the $300 motherboard spontaneously busted. And even if it was more likely that the motherboard was busted, even if there were only a 10% chance that it was the battery . . . it costs $1 and takes two seconds to swap out. The motherboard costs $300 to replace and is a right pain in the ass to swap. It doesn't take a genius to figure this out.



p.s.

Trust me, whatever funny thing you think you found in there is only going to make me look stupid. We've been down this road before.

Who buys a $300 motherboard?  In 2009? What a joke.  Did you have a job in 2009 Shmokes?  To waste $300 on a motherboard that is dead.  Water cooled AM3 was it?

I'm sure he means combo.  I quoted $199 in today's money for a bare bones system as an example and he goes off the rails.  Classic Shmokes.  Mr attention seeker.    

[AtomSmasher]

Who buys a $300 motherboard?  In 2009? What a joke.  Did you have a job in 2009 Shmokes?  To waste $300 on a motherboard that is dead.  Water cooled AM3 was it?

I'm sure he means combo.  I quoted $199 in today's money for a bare bones system as an example and he goes off the rails.  Classic Shmokes.  Mr attention seeker.    

Now I understand why you always had problems with your motherboards, you always bought bottom of the line crap.

[lilshawn]

LETS TURN THIS INTO AN APPLE VS PC WAR! 

no... really.


insert not useful picture here-----^

<useless>i did purchase a relatively decent motherboard for 100 coulda bought one for 300 but, you know </usless>

[ark_ader]

Who buys a $300 motherboard?  In 2009? What a joke.  Did you have a job in 2009 Shmokes?  To waste $300 on a motherboard that is dead.  Water cooled AM3 was it?

I'm sure he means combo.  I quoted $199 in today's money for a bare bones system as an example and he goes off the rails.  Classic Shmokes.  Mr attention seeker.    

Now I understand why you always had problems with your motherboards, you always bought bottom of the line crap.

I think I mentioned that above. 

[shmokes]

Who buys a $300 motherboard? 

Some people use their computers for more than posting idiotic messages on message boards. My wife is a professional graphic designer.

[ark_ader]

Who buys a $300 motherboard? 

Some people use their computers for more than posting idiotic messages on message boards. My wife is a professional graphic designer.

And she doesn't have a Mac?

Figures. 

[DaOld Man]

Well, I picked up a new motherboard, using the CPU from the one that quit, and it doesnt work.
No boot up, fans come on. No video output, no beeps from the PC speaker.
So looks like my problem is the cpu, or it could be the motherboard too.
Im junking both and getting a new cpu to rebuild my rig.
BTW, I tried a brand new power supply too.

[ark_ader]

Well, I picked up a new motherboard, using the CPU from the one that quit, and it doesnt work.
No boot up, fans come on. No video output, no beeps from the PC speaker.
So looks like my problem is the cpu, or it could be the motherboard too.
Im junking both and getting a new cpu to rebuild my rig.
BTW, I tried a brand new power supply too.

Get one of these with a tasty monitor and a side of fries.   

[shmokes]

New motherboard arrived. Problem solved. Finally. I about danced a jig when I saw output to the monitor. 

[Samstag]

That's the good news.  The bad news is it'll probably fail again before too long.

The last Asus motherboard I had was sent in for warranty replacement 3 times.  By the time I finally replaced it with another brand, MB #4 had 2 bad USB ports, 2 bad ethernet ports, and a bad PCI slot.

[DaOld Man]

Update on my fiasco.
I ordered a new (refurbished) cpu and the new mother board still wont boot.
I sent motherboard back for RMA, but Im thinking the CPU I bought could be bad (I ordered both from same company, they suggested I send motherboard back first, go figure).
If the motherboard is bad, then Im thinking my old cpu I first tried in it took out the new motherboard (is this even possible?).
Im tossing the old cpu, cant take any more chances with it.

[lilshawn]

If the motherboard is bad, then Im thinking my old cpu I first tried in it took out the new motherboard (is this even possible?).

absolutely.

the voltage regulators on mobos are pretty sensitive. if the cpu is hooped then it can take out a regulator as soon as you power it up.

Im tossing the old cpu, cant take any more chances with it.

^^^this^^^ and smash it with a hammer for all the grief it gave you.

[ark_ader]

Just get the new Mac Mini.  The thing doesn't even have a DVD slot. 

The less you can ---fudgesicle--- with it by installing junk software, the chances of it going wrong is minimal.

My next PC is going to be a Mac Mini.

[AtomSmasher]

Just get the new Mac Mini.  The thing doesn't even have a DVD slot. 

The less you can ---fudgesicle--- with it by installing junk software, the chances of it going wrong is minimal.

My next PC is going to be a Mac Mini.

Great idea.  Keep taking away functionality until people are no longer able to screw up their machines, of course it will no longer be useful as a computer at the point, but at least the OS will be rock solid stable.

[lilshawn]

Just get the new Mac Mini.  The thing doesn't even have a DVD slot. 

The less you can ---fudgesicle--- with it by installing junk software, the chances of it going wrong is minimal.

My next PC is going to be a Mac Mini.

Great idea.  Keep taking away functionality until people are no longer able to screw up their machines, of course it will no longer be useful as a computer at the point, but at least the OS will be rock solid stable.

Isn't that how linux works? Nobody has a frikin' clue how it works, its bundled with everything you need... nothing to ---fudgesicle--- up.

[Ed_McCarron]

I ordered a new (refurbished) cpu

I don't want to fan the flames here.  Honest.  Serious question.

How do you refurb a CPU?

[DaOld Man]

I dont know, but they listed it as refurb'ed and it was quite a bit cheaper than one listed as new.
I figured they just remove it from returned equipment.

[shmokes]

Yeah . . . refurb CPU probably = open box. It just legally can't be sold as new. Good deal.

[DaOld Man]

Well, if that cpu dont work with the board they send back to me, next I got to send the cpu back.
I dont usually mess with refurb stuff, if I have to send this cpu back then it will probably be the nail in coffin as far as me buying refurb stuff.
Only problem is EBAY, a lot of stuff on there is probably refurb and I would truly not trust them testing it.

With this whole experience, I have decided that if this ever happens again, Im just junking the board and the cpu and buying both new.