Hardware problem: Dead desktop

[martin fricke]

On Sat, 10 Nov 2007 13:19:20 +1000, Leslie Gossner  
<clownius at gossner.id.au> wrote:

> Mark M Lambert wrote:
>> Hi Leslie, thanks for your reply. The computer is about 3 years old,
>> assembled by myself from bits and pieces so no warranty (didn't keep
>> receipts). I don't have a spare video card, foolishly threw away when I
>> moved house 2 months ago! I live in St Peters, about 10 mins from the
>> Sydney CBD.
>> Specs:
>> Intel PEntium 4 2.4GHz
>> 512Mb DDR RAM (one stick)
>> Gigabyte GA-8S648FX mobo
>> Unknown brand low-end Nvidia card near-new
>> Samsung DVD burner
>> Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 hard drive
>>  .. and i've just noticed a bad burning smell coming from the CPU...
>> :(
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original message -----
>> From: "Leslie Gossner" <clownius at gossner.id.au>
>> To: "Mark M Lambert" <mark+linux.ubuntu at marklambert.net>
>> Cc: "Ubuntu" <ubuntu-au at lists.ubuntu.com> Date: Sat, 10 Nov 2007
>>     11:41:17 +1100 Subject: Re: Hardware problem: Dead desktop
>>
>> Hi Mark Depends where in Sydney you are and how comfortable you are
>> opening your computer up. Firstly is it under warranty?  If its not
>> heres what i would check out. Quick and easy check is the Video card. If
>> you have a spare or can borrow one try swapping it.  Most of all it
>> sounds like a dead Motherboard (how old is the machine?) They can die
>> due to power issues (like storms).  I know a great place in the Blue
>> Mountains and if your in western Sydney i could even pop over and have a
>> look myself if you need the help. Give some more details on the specs of
>> the machine and where in Sydney you are and we can work it out from
>> there. Good Luck Leslie Gossner
>>
>>
> Doesn't sound good at all.  Id say its a dead mobo or CPU.  If its a
> socket 775 board its easy enough to get a replacement.  But 478's are
> hard to come by.  I highly doubt just the CPU would go without taking
> the board with it but for a cheap option go for  Pentium E2140 or a Core
> 2 Duo E4500.  Both are very low priced dual cores and the E4500 is a
> very solid performer that would give you a great speed increase.
> As for mobo check out AsRock boards (Dirt cheap) and some will support
> both DDR and DDR2. (ASRock 4CoreDX90).  Or if you like high end gear the
> ASUS P5K-E is very nice but then you gonna need to go a big upgrade.
> eg. DDR2.
> I do know a make is selling one of the AsRocks and an E2160 with a Gig
> of DDR (2*512) for $200 bucks if you need to get it up and running again
> on the cheap.  Give us a yell if you want if not i think ill add it to
> my collection anyway.
> Not familiar with the PC stores in that area but someone down there
> would be or would be willing to help out im certain.
> Good Luck
> Leslie

For parts at cheap prices you could also try MSY at Ultimo. Check out  
their prices here http://msy.com.au/Parts/PARTS.pdf .