PC not posting - processor fan spinning - dead motherboard?

[gavm99]

Hi all,

I have a PC which won't start up. With the customers power supply in, it does nothing at all.

I have installed a brand new power supply.

When I flick the switch on the back of the power supply on the power supply's fan and the processor fan start spinning.

Pressing the button on the front makes no difference.

I have since disconnected everything from the motherboard and removed the RAM but still the same things happens.

I am assuming it is because the motherboard is dead?

Can any offer any advice?

Thanks.


Gavin Moorhouse

http://www.lucidcomputersolutions.co.uk

Interested in my personal blog?

http://www.thelucidview.co.uk

 

[G0AOZ]

You don't say what make and type of mobo, which might help...

Have you tried clearing CMOS? Any history? Bolt of lightning? Kids poured Coke inside the PC, etc...?

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[wahnula]

There are some PCs that fire up their cooling syetems before they apply power to the rest of you system. Water-cooling rigs are like that. Specs, specs, specs.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[gavm99]

Hi Guys,

The PC is an eMachines 220.

The motherboard is an Imperial GV 20030812.

There is no cooling system here, just a very old PC which I am trying to sort for friendly customer!

Thanks.

Gavin Moorhouse

http://www.lucidcomputersolutions.co.uk

Interested in my personal blog?

http://www.thelucidview.co.uk

 

[gavm99]

Regarding the clearing of the BIOS I have located and changed the jumper to do this. I flicked the power on after I had done this but no change. I switched the jumper back and tried afterwards it was the same.

I have also left out the BIOS battery for 10 mins or so but again no joy.

No lightening that I know (although this could be relevant as we have had storms over the last few weeks), no sign of spillage, just lots of dust! Which I have now air dusted away.

Any ideas?

Gavin Moorhouse

http://www.lucidcomputersolutions.co.uk

Interested in my personal blog?

http://www.thelucidview.co.uk

 

[wahnula]

Hey gavm99,

Did not even realize that was you! Y'know. e-Machines is a most-famous water-cooloing brand...<not>

They are famous for having low-level components and for only lasting three to five years. Have a look at the caps (

http://www.badcaps.net).

I would completely remove the mainboard from the case, connect the new PSU along with CPU & 1 stick RAM and short across the PWR pins. If that doesn't work then it's one of the remaining parts before you: mainboard, CPU, or RAM. Cheers!

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[wahnula]

gavm99,

I forgot to mention that eMachines mainboards are not the most reliable, a quick hop around the web confirms the E220 is no exception. Cut your losses, advise the customer to get a decent MSI or even Biostar board.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[gavm99]

Yes Tony we meet again!!

To be honest I think I am just going to recommened a new PC.

I don't want to spend hours on it because it's not worth while on such an old PC.

By the time I have sourced a new board and installed they could have purchased a new PC from Dell for £185 which would be 50 times more powerfull than this one!

I have already checked the caps also, I have seen that before.

Gavin Moorhouse

http://www.lucidcomputersolutions.co.uk

Interested in my personal blog?

http://www.thelucidview.co.uk

 

[wahnula]

I don't know if there's a UK equivalent, but in the US we have

http://www.maingear.com

that is a maker of high-quality PCs with support for life...that's right, as long as the company is around your friend's PC has support...that isn't you!

I have no qualms about recommending them, their systems are good, plus I'll never hear "Tony told me to buy this PC" meaning I am the default support system.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE to work on PCs, and extend my support families all the time, but after a while I get sick of being life support for dusty, old pieces of junk.

I did get a treat the other day when my wife's PC-clueless co-worker said he needed a PSU changed, no problem, 1-2-3 done...except it was a 2-year Alienware Area 51 with a 750 watt PSU and water-cooling, given to him by his brother. And PSU cables braided together like Origami. Let's say I have a little to learn about boutique-PC cable routing!

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[G0AOZ]

Tony's said it all about the E-machine. I've usually found the PSU fails then takes the mobo out! Good eh...

The case is quite reasonable for a rebuild, and provided it's not a really early model, then standard components will fit.

Unless you're into volume purchasing, I've found

http://www.scan.co.uk

are quite reasonable and give a quick service.

ROGER - G0AOZ.