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Could this be a motherboard problem?

by Deji
13 replies
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Hi fellow Warriors. I wanted to ask for some advice on what to do. A client asked me to check out her desktop computer. I observed that it hangs at the Windows logo screen. It cannot enter Setup or even the BIOS. I removed and replaced the 4 RAM sticks, removed and replaced the CMOS battery and checked one or two other things but it was the same result. Her daughter (who is also into IT) told me she checked it and was sure it was the motherboard. She also called in a friend who also said it was the motherboard. Upon checking everything, I told her it was the motherboard and that it was costly to replace and would probably be better to get a new computer. She asked me if I could sell it for her (to which I said yes since I am an Ebay seller) so she could add some money and buy a new one. My questions are:
1. Is it possible this is not a motherboard problem? If it isn't,then what is the problem?
2. How much could I list it for on Ebay?
3. Should I sell it as a whole or dismantle it and sell the parts individually?
4. Could it be a hard disk problem which is preventing the OS from loading? I haven't checked with a second HDD to be sure it won't be able to boot as well.
5. I have been able to get a new Gateway desktop at a good price. Are Gateway computers reliable. The present one is an HP with 4GB RAM AND a 500GB hard disk.
6. Is there a possibility that using the recovery CD would fix the problem? Not sure if they created the recovery CD though but one could get it from HP.
7. Any other suggestions you think might be useful.
Thanks in advance for your response and suggestions.
#computer #hard disk #motherboard #motherboard problem #personal computer #problem #ram
  • Profile picture of the author weblink29
    I'm not a hardware pro but one thing I would test is taking the motherboard out of the case and attempting to boot it up.

    You tested the most important stuff (Ram and Bios) but I would also suggest eliminating the possibility that it's shorting on the case somewhere by testing a bootup where the motherboard isn't touching any part of the case.
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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by weblink29 View Post

      I'm not a hardware pro but one thing I would test is taking the motherboard out of the case and attempting to boot it up.

      You tested the most important stuff (Ram and Bios) but I would also suggest eliminating the possibility that it's shorting on the case somewhere by testing a bootup where the motherboard isn't touching any part of the case.
      Gee, he didn't really test ANY of that stuff. The problem COULD be memory. When you say replaced, did you replace with OTHER memory? It is unlikely the bios since the windows logo screen shows up. It is ***NOT*** the battery. To the best of my knowledge, that is used ONLY to keep the time clock running. The BIOS requires FAR too much power to do anything for that little battery.

      1. POSSIBLE, but you didn't give us enough info.
      2. DON'T BOTHER!
      3. You could MAYBE sell some parts for as much as maybe 20% of what you paid.
      4. YES!
      5. DEBATABLE!
      6. POSSIBLE. If that disk runs, it kind of indicates the motherboard, CPU, and BIOS are OK. If the time it shows is right, the battery is OK!

      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Melanie Crouse
    Can you boot to a CD or USB device or anything? If you're hanging at the Windows screen it sounds more like a software or HDD problem to me, since it is getting past the POST and starting to boot.

    You're sure you can't get into the BIOS at all? What about Safe Mode?
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    • Profile picture of the author steve129836
      I agree with Melanie. More likely to be software. I have repaired many computers and have never known any of the ones that hang at the Windows logo to not be able to get into bios. Make sure you look up how to get into bios on that particular model of PC (i.e. the key combinations).
      Many PCs now have a return to factory settings procedure. They store a backup on a seperate part of the harddrive. Again do an internet search for that particular model. The return to factory settings process will of course lose any existing data. (You didn't say if that was a problem)
      If you have no luck with that then try putting the Windows installation CD in. Hopefully if the boot order is correct it will boot off the CD. You should then be able to repair the system.
      If you don't have a Windows CD next thing would be to download something like Ubuntu. Certainly worth having a Ubuntu live CD hanging around if you are the person that everyone comes to for computer repairs. The Live CD lets you boot of the CD without affecting the rest of the computer. So at least you know the hardware is working.
      With regards to ebay, just do some research. Look at completed listings and existing lists for similar items and decide if its worth your time doing.
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    The first thing I would try is the battery on the motherboard. Take it out and see if it boots up. If it does, then replace that battery.
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  • Profile picture of the author Deji
    Thanks weblink29. I could try that.
    @Melanie I did not try booting to a CD or USB. That's the next thing I will tyr when next I go to the client's house. I was unable to get into the BIOS. However I don't remember trying to get into Safe mode. I will try that out as well. Thanks Melanie
    @garyv I did take out the CMOS battery for some seconds and then replaced it but the result was the same. However I will try to boot the computer without the battery and see if it would boot. Thanks.
    @Steve At the "Hanging screen", I pressed the key to Enter Setup and Restore to Factory Settings but neither worked. On pressing "Enter Setup",it displayed "Entering Setup" and remained on the same screen without entering setup. I had already asked and they said there was nothing to lose if I wanted to Restore to factory settings so that is not a problem.
    Not sure if they still have the Windows installation CD but will ask. Neither am I sure that they created the recovery CD but I can get that frm HP.
    I do have and use a number of Ubuntu Live Cd's. I also have the most recent-Nutty Narwhal (11.04). Will take that along as well and test to see if the computer will be able to boot Ubuntu and hence be able to eliminate hardware problems. Thanks Steve.
    Thanks once again to everyone that responded. I will keep you posted on the progress.
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    Any progress on this? A solution might help anyone that finds this thread in the future...
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  • Profile picture of the author SweetCarroll9
    My brothers a PC repair dude, I'll ask him later mate.
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  • Profile picture of the author Deji
    Thanks Seasoned. I will take out the RAM sticks one by one and test them out.
    @SweetCarrol Thanks mate,I'll appreciate that.
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  • Profile picture of the author philipf
    try to re-install the windows
    some of the start-up files might be corrupt, i think i had the same problem a while a go when my sister installed a game or something
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  • Profile picture of the author andy25i
    Originally Posted by Deji View Post

    Hi fellow Warriors. I wanted to ask for some advice on what to do. A client asked me to check out her desktop computer. I observed that it hangs at the Windows logo screen. It cannot enter Setup or even the BIOS. I removed and replaced the 4 RAM sticks, removed and replaced the CMOS battery and checked one or two other things but it was the same result. Her daughter (who is also into IT) told me she checked it and was sure it was the motherboard. She also called in a friend who also said it was the motherboard. Upon checking everything, I told her it was the motherboard and that it was costly to replace and would probably be better to get a new computer. She asked me if I could sell it for her (to which I said yes since I am an Ebay seller) so she could add some money and buy a new one. My questions are:
    1. Is it possible this is not a motherboard problem? If it isn't,then what is the problem?
    2. How much could I list it for on Ebay?
    3. Should I sell it as a whole or dismantle it and sell the parts individually?
    4. Could it be a hard disk problem which is preventing the OS from loading? I haven't checked with a second HDD to be sure it won't be able to boot as well.
    5. I have been able to get a new Gateway desktop at a good price. Are Gateway computers reliable. The present one is an HP with 4GB RAM AND a 500GB hard disk.
    6. Is there a possibility that using the recovery CD would fix the problem? Not sure if they created the recovery CD though but one could get it from HP.
    7. Any other suggestions you think might be useful.
    Thanks in advance for your response and suggestions.


    Hi.
    Before planing to work on you motherboard try Connecting the Hard Disk some other system. Doing this will give you the confirmation about the Hard disk status and if you find it ok than try replacing ram and battery on the motherboard and reinstalling the OS. I am not sure it will work but something similar to it happen with my laptop, the system restarts after opening the log on screen and it got right by re-installation of OS.
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  • Profile picture of the author Deji
    Thanks Phillip. I will try that if the Windows CD is available.
    @Andy I will connect the hard disk to my computer and see if it boots. Will also connect it via USB cable to make sure it is accessible. I will also try your other suggestions. Thanks.
    Thanks to everyone that responded. I will keep you posted.
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