Hardware problem: Dead desktop

[James Takac]

On Saturday 10 November 2007 12:31:59 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


Hi Mark

Best way I've found to test the system is to strip the mobo down to just the 
cpu, i.e. remove all cards, drives, memory, etc and power up. You mentioned 
no beeps on powering up ealier, is there a pizeo (sp?) speaker attached to 
the mobo? If not you wont get beeps regardless. Anyways, gradually add back 
one thing at a time (assuming the mobo powered up and gave the single quick 
beep to signify all is ok) powering up after each addition to see what breaks 
it so to speak. Another possibility is that your power supply is gone, even 
one supply rail failing in it will stop the system functioning properly. If 
you ever get intermitant failures on some hardware, check the power supply as 
it's likely dying. These days I keep a cheap power supply as a spare to test 
with. I suspect the culprit to be either your power supply or the mobo. A 
failing video card usually gets a beep code from the mobo to warn you. No 
beeps at all would suggest a possible nother board failure imho

James