Re: PC advice

"MaNiaCkK" <MaNiaCkK.2zn5wj@no-mx.wirelessforums.org> wrote in message
news:MaNiaCkK.2zn5wj@no-mx.wirelessforums.org...

> I have a few questions:
> 1) So far I *think* it is the motherboard that is broken. What is the
> least number of things I need to do to make _sure_ that it is **ONLY**
> the motherboard (and not also the CPU, GPU, PSU or power button.. or all
> of them!)? Should I just try all these out in a different PC and if
> everything works then its the MoBo for sure?

These questions are all kind of tied together, but here's what I think:

I'd have to agree that it's the motherboard, and although it's not 100%
certain, that your PSU is OK. It still COULD be the PSU, though, if it's
putting out bad voltage, instead of none. I'd have to go look again, but I
think you can buy a PSU tester fairly cheaply, US$15-$20. Might be worth
the investment if you're set on getting this one back up and running.

>
> 2a) Assuming it is the MoBo, and since I cannot get an exact
> replacement of it are there any compatible motherboards that can be
> recommended? (I've looked on the net and found so many that I was
> wondering if there were any I should avoid..).

Are you *sure* you can't buy a replacement? It's going to be relatively
expensive compared to a 3rd party board. But I know people who buy 4 and 5
year warranties for their PC's. Whatever one may think of those warranties,
it seems to me that this could lead to parts still being available for your
PC. I mean, you're no worse off for asking, right?

> 2b) If there are lots of compatibilities, then what are certain things
> I should look out for (eg - socket type would need to be the same (478?)
> but if I get an FSB lower than my processor's that would make it slower
> so watch out for that!)

Socket, board format, is there anything customized about the backplane, the
metallic part in the back where included port sockets are displayed. Buying
a new board only to find that the USB ports wind up behind metal would be
just too bad.

>
> 3) Once I install a new MoBo, I'm assuming I'd also have to reinstall
> Windows XP (don't worry about my old files I've copied them off the HDD)
> so would this be a problem concerning recovery CD's? I mean, if I just
> put in the original repair CD that I got with the PC when it was new,
> would it having a different MoBo but all the same *other* components
> cause any sorta problems I should look out for?

First see if Windows will boot up, but yeah, it sounds likely that you'd
have to do that, and a restore CD might likely fail. If it does, you might
in the end be better suited buying another PC. Desktop PC's here in the USA
are cheaper than (properly licensed) copies of Windows. Depending on your
uses, that might save you in the long run.

>
> Thanks for taking the time to read this. Sorry its so long winded but
> I wanted to put down as much information as possible, hope someone gets
> back to me soon!!

I'm just getting back into I.T. after a hiatus, so I would not be insulted
if you took my information with a boulder of salt. But I hope I've helped.