How to tell between a dead CPU or a dead Mobo?

hungryhungry123

hungryhungry123

hungryhungry123

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16 Oct 2005
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187
Hi,

Ive built a couple of PCs before and never had any problems. Except for this one.

Its a mishmash of components, but it was working fine a few months ago. I come back to it now, and it won't post... I get the OK lights on the motherboard, continuous fan on, but no post at all, and no beeps. I've tried running it with just the CPU and motherboard and vid card on apiece of cardboard, same symptoms. I've tried swapping the PSU, same symptoms. I've tried swapping the vid card, same symptoms. If it helps, I also noticed that pressing the caps lock key on the keyboard doesn't move the LED.

As the problem occurs with just the CPU, mobo, GPU, and PSU connected, and I know it isnt the GPU or PSU, then it must be the CPU or motherboard - but how can i tell which without components to swap?

the cpu is a barton 2500, motherboard abit nf7.

Thanks for reading this :)
 
It doesnt need a battery to post. Some motherboards have a diagnostic output via led lights or speaker beeps otherwise its a case of swapping things about to elminate I guess. Having two systems is usefull for that
 
I don't think its the battery - Ive heard of people booting it with dead batteries, but having to set their BIOS settings every time. I've tried resetting the CMOS switch - I really don't know what to do now...

I do have 4 systems lying around, but i only have one AthlonXP socket system
 
A cpu doesnt weigh much, if you want to send it to me I will test it on a DFI infinity jobbie. I also have a MSI socket A system upstairs.

Do you know anyone local you could just swap cpu's around with
 
Have you taken off heatsink(which works i take it?) and checked the cpu for tell tale discoloration for being burnt/damaged?.That happened to mine even with a hs on that could single handedly cool the whole country,and almost got me handed an anti social order for noise :D.
Unfortunately you don`t have spares to swap out,a small local shop might help you out it only takes em 2 mins to tell.Or you could grab a spare mobo from b grade on here they have them at silly prices just now (£10).Good luck.
 
Fulcrum said:
It doesnt need a battery to post. Some motherboards have a diagnostic output via led lights or speaker beeps otherwise its a case of swapping things about to elminate I guess. Having two systems is usefull for that
Click to expand...
I had similar problem to this with an old socket A board(everything seemed to be working,fans, hdd spinning up etc).After buying new mobo,cpu,gpu,memory, a friend said have you tried the C-mos battery?
I swapped the battery and it worked, with all the original parts.For the sake of £2.50 its worth a try.
 
Just tried it without the CMOS battery - no joy, fans still spin, no output or beeps.

This is so frustrating - mainly because it was working fine not that long ago, and I'd already done the planning as to where/how the PC would be used - all the complicated stuff, and im stumped at the first hurdle of switching it on!

I really don't fancy buying a new processor AND motherboard...

So you guys think that any old PC shop would be able to test the components for me?

Cheers
 
They could have course but if you didnt buy off them you would have to be very friendly and maybe look around the shop for stuff you need, blank dvd's?

A local shop is best, dont bother with pc world, etc They wouldnt recognise a cpu

Just take the cpu in, thats easiest. Anti static bag, ground yourself of course, etc
 
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