[neowolf]

Hi,

I picked up a customer's PC yesterday, basically its a Windows Reinstall problem etc etc. Anyway, it was working fine. Took it into my workshop, power up - blank screen - power goes through, no signal, not POSTing. Then I started the usual tests to see what could be at fault. Finally got left with Mobo/CPU [Biostar KT133/AMD Athlon XP 1900+], everything else is fine.

So I inspected the mobo for any signs of blown caps etc, and I looked on the back and found a tiny mark on maybe 1.5 - 2 data lanes( is that what they're called??) that are directly beneath the BIOS chip.

I am almost certain this is the cause of the dead mobo, but I ask, why did it have to work fine there, and die when I power it on :upset: , and has anyone else seen the same problem? Is it common?

I would take a photo, but the camera can't take a pic of something so small.

 

[Doby]

Have you tried to run this board out of the case with the bare minimum installed?

Maybe the trace that has the mark is not broke thru and the mark on it is a burn or scortch mark from a short against the case or a screw rolling around in there.

I would test it outside the case

 

[neowolf]

I would test it outside the case

Yep, I have most certainly done that, still no better

 

[Twinked]

Id guess at there WAS something catching it in the case, but as you removed it from the case, you have dislodged the item..

Can that be fixed or is it going to need a new mobo?

 

[neowolf]

Id guess at there WAS something catching it in the case, but as you removed it from the case, you have dislodged the item..

Can that be fixed or is it going to need a new mobo?

It's weird, it would have to have been there all along. It looks more like a defect it - not a screwdriver puncture for example, as it is not a bump, and you can't feel a scratch.

I doubt it can be fixed.... it seems to be really really dead

 

[kev1952]

Do you have a PCI diagnostics card that you can install so you can see how far it gets into POST before failing? I find them very good for troubleshooting a board that doesn't boot as far as video initialisation. The possible damage you refer to doesn't sound, to me, like it's the cause. As you said, it worked when your client had it and now doesn't. If it was a manufacturing defect it wouldn't have worked at all.

 

[neowolf]

Do you have a PCI diagnostics card that you can install so you can see how far it gets into POST before failing? I find them very good for troubleshooting a board that doesn't boot as far as video initialisation.

hmmm.... I haven't seen any of those diagnostics around... any quick links to where I could get one, or one you recommend?

The possible damage you refer to doesn't sound, to me, like it's the cause. As you said, it worked when your client had it and now doesn't. If it was a manufacturing defect it wouldn't have worked at all.

Yes, I know, it really is strange how it died like that. But what I can tell you, is that if you had that defect on your motherboard, you wouldn't hesitate to return it.

 

[kev1952]

hmmm.... I haven't seen any of those diagnostics around... any quick links to where I could get one, or one you recommend?

Your wish is my command - look here.