Motherboard problem...maybe?

[dtmcriss]

Ok here's the deal. I had problems with this computer. It had been rebuilt before. It had a motherboard with onboard vga. The power supply stopped working so for about a year or so i just ignored this computer and went on with my life. Now recently i decided to reinvestigate the situation. I bought a new 430w power supply to replace the old 300w one. when i took a look at the cpu, the cpu pins were bent. someone had jammed it in wrong so i bought a new sempron cpu to replace it. I replaced the old power supply and cpu and when i started it up, the monitor won't display anything. I tried other monitors, still nothing. The power supply is big enough. I'm having doubts if the cpu is right. The motherboard beeps 3 times and everything else seems to be working. The keyboard blinks when i first start it. The fans run. So is it possible that the VGA part of the board is messed up?? I'm kinda lost right now. Don't know whether to buy a new mobo or a new processor??? Help!!!

[dtmcriss]

A little side question that goes along with this...if there is something wrong with the mb, would it be beeping and would i be getting power to my keyboard and on/off switch in the front panel?

[Plastic Nev]

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help dtmcris.

In my experience quite often when a power supply fails it damages other components on the motherboard, not always mind, just some of the times.

So bear that in mind while we try to go further, you say you get three beeps, depending on the BIOS manufacturer, this could indicate a RAM problem, however you should still see at least the initial boot screen showing from the BIOS, so to eliminate the RAM, remove all sticks, if more than one, and try again. let us know what if anything comes up on the monitor.

[Tootech]

We could do to know the make and model of the motherboard, and any video card you have fitted.

 

The beeping may just be because the memory needs reseating.

 

Make sure power is off at the wall, and take out the memory, then refit it.

 

Fire up your machine and tell us what happens

[dtmcriss]

ok i tried ur advice plastic and i got longer beeps this time. And for tootech i don't have any other video cards in. Just onboard. The memory was secure. I mean i would think even without the memory in i should get something to show up on the screen but nothing, nada, zip. Btw tysm for helping me guys

[dtmcriss]

And please don't have me do that again lol. i got a big daddy thermal take fan on the cpu that covers up the ram so its a pain to get the ram in and out. Since it is beeping...is it possible that the mb is ok...or just because that specific part is ok could other things still be wrong with the mb?

[Plastic Nev]

OK, sorry to give you a headache with removing the RAM, :D

The post beeps suggest that the BIOS is in part, working, but the total lack of any graphics output suggests that part of the MB may be where the fault is, as some types of beep can be indicate a graphics fault.

If you can find the motherboard type for us, and also describe the exact type of beeps, IE one short two long or two long one short etc it may help, but do be aware if the graphics are dead, being part of the motherboard, the cure may be a new board.

[dtmcriss]

Ok don't have the time right now but i'll try to get u more info since, i know, my description was kinda vague.

[Plastic Nev]

OK Cris, thanks for the update, no rush at my end till you get back to us. The beeps are the important thing at the moment, as the pattern could mean the graphics, or something else.

[Dalo Harkin]

Different beep codes mean different things on different BIOS'

If you can find the MOBO manual it will tell you exactly what the fault codes are.

Failing that have a look on the actual MOBO and let us know the make ie ASUS, Gigabyte and we can tell you what BIOS it uses. And what the fault code relates to

[dtmcriss]

Ok sorry it took so long but here it is:

MSI motherboard K8MM-V

[dtmcriss]

and it is giving off two long beeps

[Dalo Harkin]

Right - its either bad RAM or a BIOS settings problem - have you been trying to Overclock?

 

You can test the RAM by removing one of the modules, if it still does it try the other RAM stick etc.

 

If that does NOT work pop the CMOS battery out, wait 30 seconds and then install it again (obviously do this with the PC off :eek:)

 

You will LOSE all the settings in the BIOS, but this wont be a problem unless you have RAID or something set up

[dtmcriss]

ok i don't know what overclock means so i assume i haven't been doing it lol, but as i said before i wasn't the first owner of this machine so its hard to tell what happened to it before me. I tried taking out the cmos battery and reinstalling it...i still got the same beeps. I didn't get the chance to hook it up to a monitor but since its the same beeps and everything i would assume its still not working. should i think about getting new bios? how hard is it to install them? Edited March 10, 2009 by dtmcriss

[Tootech]

It looks like its an Award BIOS on your motherboard.

 

Two long beeps, along with other beep codes means 'bad ram' ie your memory is faulty.

 

Power off at the mains socket.

 

If you have more then 1 stick of memory, take them all out except 1 - try to boot again. If it still beeps, swap it for another, and try again.

 

Remember to keep power off at the mains whilst removing and installing memory.

 

If you only have one stick of memory, or the other method is not working, its worth downloading Memtest. Its a bootable CD and it will test your memory for you. Give that a go - it's the ISO image you want, V2.11 Bootable ISO (.zip). Unzip it, and burn it as an image - not as a data file - that won't work.

 

Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

[dtmcriss]

ok, but how will that help if i still can't get anything to show up on the screen?

[Tootech]

Criss, your dead right - apologies, I've read this thread a few times, and got a bit lost in all the info!!!!

 

If you have had all the memory out, tried a single stick, then swapped that for another and still no joy, then I reckon your board is faulty.

 

You know the PSU is ok, and often a failing PSU will break the board when it goes, so I think that is what has happened

 

As far as having the correct CPU goes, have a look at this link just to make sure.

 

MSI -- MICRO-STAR INT'L CO., LTD.

[dtmcriss]

ok i checked out the site and found my cpu so its definitely not it...so i guess its a new motherboard:( oh well thanks for all the help guys!!!