Another 'please help' thread

shahpor

shahpor

shahpor

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13 Mar 2007
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832
Hi all.

As the title suggest, I need your help!

Had a power cut early yesterday morning and since then, my pc won't boot.

And I mean nothing, no fans, no beeps, nothing. The only signs of life are the green LED on the motherboard and, strangely, all three keyboard lights on permanently.

First thing I though of was motherboard failure, which in this case is a Asus P5N32-E SLI.

Anyway, it just so happens that I have a spare P5N32-E SLI here which is brand new. But after swapping the CPU, memory and graphics card, it still refuses to do anything?

The only difference between the two boards is that the keyboard lights don't come on with the new board.

So, after this, I borrowed a PSU which changed nothing. I have since tested the RAM in another PC which seemed to work fine.

I also tested the Graphics card, a 8800 GT, which worked except for making a beeping sound from the case speaker. I thought this might be the fact that the pc didn't have a 6 pin power adaptor so the card was running without?

Finally, I tested with just the CPU install with the case speaker plugged in and still nothing.

I did the wire test with my PSU by bridging the gap between the green and black wires and it seemed to power my hard drives fine.

Anyway, I am now at a loss as to what to do? Also, I am worried that maybe my PSU damaged both motherboards?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


BTW, pc specs are:

C2D E6400
Asus P5N32-E SLi
2 x 1Gb Geil PC6400
2 x 2gb Cosair PC6400
XFX 8800GT 320mb
Enermax 500 Watt PSU
 
Wow, that was a quick response. :)

Hmm, I guess there is no way of testing that without getting a replacement.

Although I thought it was very rare for CPU's to fry?

Thanks.
 
shahpor said:
Wow, that was a quick response. :)

Hmm, I guess there is no way of testing that without getting a replacement.

Although I thought it was very rare for CPU's to fry?

Thanks.
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A friend of mine has killed loads! Usually due to overheating. Seems a tad unfair for powercut to have caused you all this hassle. Normally I would have suggested clearing cmos etc but as you have tried a new mobo and have eliminated all other bits and bobs, it looks to be that. My system has had three PSUs going bang, some quite spectacularly and thus far it still lives. It does seem to be the only part you can't easily test.
 
It is very unfair! :)

Still, thanks for the heads up.

Looks like I might have a completely different motherboard and CPU to try tomorrow. If that doesn't fix it, then I am going to start going mad!

Should I be worried though about my PSU potentially causing damage to this new motherboard?
 
I'm sorry, but I am a little out of touch.

I didn't know there were different kinds of PSU that protect components?

Also, are you saying that I shouldn't use my current PSU in case it does damage the new board?

Sorry to be a pain, but like I have already mentioned, it has been a while since I have done anything like this and I am a bit rusty.

Thanks.
 
hmm strange question but is the bios coming up on your monitor?,its probely me thats misunderstood you.also you say no lights or fans work but you didnt say if they worked on the second mobo or psu
 
No Bios on either motherboard or PSU. Basically, on the first motherboard, the LED on the board itself and the keyboard lights are the only things that work. Monitor is not triggered and the fans don't start.

On second board it is exactly the same except the keyboard doesn't light up.

Hope that clears it up.

Sorry for any confusion.
 
shahpor said:
I'm sorry, but I am a little out of touch.

I didn't know there were different kinds of PSU that protect components?

Also, are you saying that I shouldn't use my current PSU in case it does damage the new board?

Sorry to be a pain, but like I have already mentioned, it has been a while since I have done anything like this and I am a bit rusty.

Thanks.
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Ah, no worries. I am simply suggesting that *if* your CPU is damaged due to a power surge or cut, yet your PSU seems to be intact, that it may be prudent to change the said item should such an occurrence manifest itself again.

If you can test the CPU or try another this would be good. We do need to eliminate this from our inquiries.

You could try these things first though, it may or may not help.

1: Put your CPU back in the mobo taking care to not damage any pins. Apply paste and HSF.
2: Add one stick of ram and gpu. Ensure all power cables are connected (Don't forget the 4 pin 12v power) and your drive.
3: Remove the CMOS battery and short the Clear CMOS pins for 15 secs. Replace the jumper and battery.
4: Attempt a boot.

Failing this, try and other CPU. If the power cut did cause a surge, it is unlikely to happen again unless the area is prone to them.
 
shahpor said:
No Bios on either motherboard or PSU. Basically, on the first motherboard, the LED on the board itself and the keyboard lights are the only things that work. Monitor is not triggered and the fans don't start.

On second board it is exactly the same except the keyboard doesn't light up.

Hope that clears it up.

Sorry for any confusion.
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no problem,when you get it all fixed you want too get a surge protector it can help or save your pc.if you dont know what i mean i will link 1 tomorrow
 
Just a quick update to let you guys know that, as usual, you were spot on. :)

Got a new CPU and board and it is working fine. So it appears that I might have fried a CPU after all.

As for what you suggest Howiepoohs, the PSU is fine for now, but I agree that it might be a little suspect , so I will probably get it swapped out soon.

Still keeping fingers crossed that it will continue to work. :)

Thanks very much for all your help.
 
shahpor said:
Just a quick update to let you guys know that, as usual, you were spot on. :)

Got a new CPU and board and it is working fine. So it appears that I might have fried a CPU after all.

As for what you suggest Howiepoohs, the PSU is fine for now, but I agree that it might be a little suspect , so I will probably get it swapped out soon.

Still keeping fingers crossed that it will continue to work. :)

Thanks very much for all your help.
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Not a problem, glad I could help. Sorry about the processor that's annoying. I would look for a good surge protector socket just in case, they are not too dear. They plug in the wall socket and you plug your PC power lead into it.
 
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howiepoohs said:
Not a problem, glad I could help. Sorry about the processor that's annoying. I would look for a good surge protector socket just in case, they are not too dear. They plug in the wall socket and you plug your PC power lead into it.
Click to expand...

Already gone and bought one :)

Thanks again.
 
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