PC re-build

[bluesman737]

Hi

As I've mentioned in another thread, am an old PC builder -inall senses of the word!

Last PC I built was sometime ago -a P4 2.4 Pentium with 1gig RAM (333) on an ASRock P4i65G Mobo, with 2x 120gig hd (IDE,7200, 2mb cache) in Raid array but not striped or mirrored. Graphics card = Radeon 9600 Pro (128mb). OP sys = XP Pro

A while back the PC got dropped, heavily. When trying to boot it wouldn't even enter the BIOS routines, so put it to one side at left it.

To me, it seems like the mobo is damaged, but suppose it could be the processor or mobo or maybe even something else.

Trouble is I don't have extra kit to swap around and play about with the machine, so was wondering if anyone has a simple approach to checking this through. I have another machine (as you will see below, but it is a PCI Express animal with Core 2 duo processor and Vista, so can't see how it can help (other than with the HDD's - see below).

Note, I have taken the Mobo out of the box and lifted the AGP Graphics and Video editing cards out but that's all. Also note that one of the 120g hdds, the Master - seems ok. Have connected it through USB to another computer and it reads fine. Strangely, though, and to give you an idea of how hard the box fell, the other 120 gig drive (slaved in) has completely gone. I know this because it won't work on the aforementioned USB connection.

I

[The_YongGrand]

Originally Posted by bluesman737

Hi

As I've mentioned in another thread, am an old PC builder -inall senses of the word!

Last PC I built was sometime ago -a P4 2.4 Pentium with 1gig RAM (333) on an ASRock P4i65G Mobo, with 2x 120gig hd (IDE,7200, 2mb cache) in Raid array but not striped or mirrored. Graphics card = Radeon 9600 Pro (128mb). OP sys = XP Pro

A while back the PC got dropped, heavily. When trying to boot it wouldn't even enter the BIOS routines, so put it to one side at left it.

To me, it seems like the mobo is damaged, but suppose it could be the processor or mobo or maybe even something else.

Trouble is I don't have extra kit to swap around and play about with the machine, so was wondering if anyone has a simple approach to checking this through. I have another machine (as you will see below, but it is a PCI Express animal with Core 2 duo processor and Vista, so can't see how it can help (other than with the HDD's - see below).

Note, I have taken the Mobo out of the box and lifted the AGP Graphics and Video editing cards out but that's all. Also note that one of the 120g hdds, the Master - seems ok. Have connected it through USB to another computer and it reads fine. Strangely, though, and to give you an idea of how hard the box fell, the other 120 gig drive (slaved in) has completely gone. I know this because it won't work on the aforementioned USB connection.

I

Okay, first thing first - when you 'crash-landed' the CPU casing, the motherboard and maybe the screws are out of contact. They could be shorting each other out, so take the board out, do a "outside the CPU casing" troubleshooting - where the board, PSU, RAM stick, are outside the casing and try turning it on with a screwdriver (look at the manual for the power contacts). If it works, probably you gotta remount the board again.

hope that helps.

[Adrian Wong]

Yeah, would be a good idea to test the system out of the case, so to speak.

[bluesman737]

Originally Posted by The_YongGrand

Okay, first thing first - when you 'crash-landed' the CPU casing, the motherboard and maybe the screws are out of contact. They could be shorting each other out, so take the board out, do a "outside the CPU casing" troubleshooting - where the board, PSU, RAM stick, are outside the casing and try turning it on with a screwdriver (look at the manual for the power contacts). If it works, probably you gotta remount the board again.

hope that helps.

Hi

Thanks for this, but not sure I understand what you mean about testing outside the case.

The Mobo is out of the casing right now - are you suggesting I just plug the power supply into the booard, loose as it is and then try turning it on from these contacts on the mobo you aare mentioning? Looking at the Mobo map in the user guide the only thing of relevance I can see is the ATX power slot, so where would these contacts be in relation to that?

Secondly, if things need re-seating why don't I just take the CPU out and put it back and do the same with the memory sticks... and PCI/AGP cards or are you saying that is not enough?

Truth is I've never heard of the out of the box start up and don't really understand what is better about doing that than re-seating the components on the board as above, screwing it back into the box and starting it up!

Obviously this is a bit of techie knowledge I am missing, but would sure appreciate you clearing the fog for me!

[The_YongGrand]

Originally Posted by bluesman737

Hi

Thanks for this, but not sure I understand what you mean about testing outside the case.

The Mobo is out of the casing right now - are you suggesting I just plug the power supply into the booard, loose as it is and then try turning it on from these contacts on the mobo you aare mentioning? Looking at the Mobo map in the user guide the only thing of relevance I can see is the ATX power slot, so where would these contacts be in relation to that?

Secondly, if things need re-seating why don't I just take the CPU out and put it back and do the same with the memory sticks... and PCI/AGP cards or are you saying that is not enough?

Truth is I've never heard of the out of the box start up and don't really understand what is better about doing that than re-seating the components on the board as above, screwing it back into the box and starting it up!

Obviously this is a bit of techie knowledge I am missing, but would sure appreciate you clearing the fog for me!

What I mean is assembling the whole motherboard + processor + RAM and PSU out of the case. Yes, it is like a naked computer set - it's used to check that whether the thing is shorting out or not. PCMech forums have a comprehensive guide which is inside - go check it out.

[Adrian Wong]

Yeah, it's a good idea to take it out. I have personally experienced a really frustrating case of a non-starting computer where the cause was nothing more than a single screw under the motherboard. The screw caused a short in the motherboard. So, it's a good idea to try the system outside the chassis.