System Board? 1

[Darb66]

Ok. Hello everyone! The problem: My computer started freezing up at random amounts of time (30 sec. to 10 minutes)everytime after boot. I tried various software related cures, but to no luck. To make sure, I formatted the hard drive clean. Did c:fdisk /mbr. Stripped all unnecesary cards off the machine.I can boot to the a: prompt, wait a little bit, and the computer freezes. I also swapped out RAM but thats not the problem. I don't know what to do next. How can I determine the exact root of the problem? I figure its the system board, but can't it also be the power supply, cpu, or something? Any suggestions on how to pin-point the problem? Tonight I'm gonna try to flash ROM and pray, but I need some advice. Any suggestions?
Oh,the factory restore disk has no image, suggests using quikrestore. I don't have it.
Compaq Presario 5000 5wv280 1 month past warranty!!!
AMD Atholon 900MHz

 

[Jakespeare]

* Check the CPU fan first for full functionality.

COMPAQ: Unfortunately, here's what I always say about those cheaply built computers:
"As soon as it's out of warranty, and it has a failure, it's a throw-away computer."
True story, because they will charge you $400 to "try to fix it,"........ or $200 for a cheap mainboard, or average one at best.

I would make sure that the CPU is working fine (there was a RECENT TIP HERE,,,,,,,, guy pulled the CPU out, cleaned it, and RE-SEATED IT,) and computer ran fine.

Next: I would just buy a new CASE & Mainboard.
You can't really work with a Compaq mainboard,,,,, because you can't really ever find out what it was / or is, or who made it,,,, and they have ruined the basic BIOS - to protect you from yourself. Hah.

All your other parts are good, you will be out the price of a good CASE,,,,,, with a 300 WATT P/S - that is AMD Approved, like a Sparkle, or Powerman - I suggest an Inwin S500 - easy to work on, and high quality.
Mainboards: A good Budget board is a Shuttle, Microstar is mid-priced, and Asus is possibly the best.
From $80 - $170
I like the Microstar KM133A Pro5 (rev5) - you can get one for $95 with shipping from

http://www.newegg.com

Good luck flashing the BIOS.

 

[garwain]

If it's only 1 month off warranty I'd call them and complain. When a system is just off warranty, it's amazing what a little complaining can accomplish.

One of my clients had a problem where the Power Supply overheated and shorted out just about everything (2 months off warranty) and I called compact and when the technician said the machine was off warranty so I'd have to buy a new system, I asked to speak with his supervisor and after explaining the situation my client got a 50% off discount on the new machine.

You have nothing to lose by trying

 

[Darb66]

Hey thanks a lot guys! Yeah, I guess I knew the new case/ systemboard was the next step, and I really appreciate the recommendations as this will be a first for me doing this. I will try the cpu trick though, I read that somewhere else too. I tried the complaining to compaq, but darn they make me angry. I live walking distance to their HQ to! I'm so darn mad...

Thanks again.