PC advice

OK, so basically my pc broke and I'm here to ask for some help/advice on
how to either fix it or go about buying a new one. Considering that new
PC's are expensive, lets try to see if anyone can help me troubleshoot
the specific problem I have.

It was working fine one day and I wanted to shut it down before going
out but after 20 minutes of the "Windows is saving your settings"
screen, I got impatient, held the power button for 6 seconds till it
powered off and then went out. Now it doesn't work anymore!

I was quite busy at the time and didn't really have time to
troubleshoot anything and thought that perhaps it was being "moody" and
left it for about a month (it was in my room, there wasn't any strong
sunlight, etc, and of course there wasn't any dust etc either!) whilst
using my laptop instead. Since its past its warranty, I don't really
think it would be financially beneficial to have the actual technicians
to have a look - the PC was purchased brand new by me about 4 years ago,
and I've never had any problems until this. I'm guessing the parts are
at least 5 or 6 years old by now (from time of manufacture).

OK - on to the actual problem...

1) No beep at the start to indicate anything is happening
2) Unable to "power off" by pressing the power button for 6 seconds (or
more)
3) No display (my screen works, but with this PC it has a "no signal"
message)

Apart from that, I can hear/see the Fans/HDD/LED lights are all on
(buzzing away or lighting up etc), Optical disk drives also eject and
light up. "Powering off" is achieved by unplugging the mains
electricity, and upon re-insertion, everything automatically comes to
life.

I cannot remember if there was any burning smell (like the smell of
expensive computer parts overheating..), but there might have been. I
think that there is *no* problem with my video card, inbuilt speaker or
power button simply because of the statistical improbability that would
require them all to fail at the same time (although maybe this is clever
engineering so that components only last as long as they are under
warranty?). A friend said it could possibly be PSU but because I can
hear all the whirring inside, see the LED's light up, etc AND
considering the way in which I "powered off" the PC prior to this
problem, I'm pretty sure its actually the motherboard. (If you have any
alternate theories, please supply them!) Edit: Could it be the MoBo's
onboard battery??

The computer model I have is an 'Advent 3517 PC'
(http://uktsupport.co.uk/advent/pc/3517.htm), nothing has been changed,
no parts were ever overclocked.

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?

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..).
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!)

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?

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!!


------------------------------------------------------------------------
View this thread: http://www.wirelessforums.org/showthread.php?t=31536
http://www.wirelessforums.org

"MaNiaCkK" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>

<snipped>


> 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!!
>
>

You now have a door stop and you can put it to good use.

"MaNiaCkK" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...

> 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.

MaNiaCkK wrote:
> OK, so basically my pc broke and I'm here to ask for some help/advice on
> how to either fix it or go about buying a new one. Considering that new
> PC's are expensive, lets try to see if anyone can help me troubleshoot
> the specific problem I have.
>
>
You might want to ask in a more appropriate group such as alt.comp.hardware

On Tue, 6 Nov 2007 14:21:07 -0500, MaNiaCkK
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>OK, so basically my pc broke and I'm here to ask for some help/advice on
>how to either fix it or go about buying a new one.

Proper disposal instructions for your computah can be found at various
web sites that deal with eWaste and computer recycling. If you supply
some clue as to where you're located, I can search for suitable
recycler.

As for a new computer, I suspect this would be a bad idea. I note
that you are having some difficulties posting your question to the
appropriate newsgroup. Your question has nothing to do with wireless.
I also have some issues with your problem description, but I don't
want to go there. You're also apparently unwilling or unable to seek
professional local computer assistance. Basically, I'm not sure if
you are qualified to repair or even operate a computer.

In the meantime, you might consider that a replacement motherboard
costs less than the time to troubleshoot your existing board.



--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558 (E-Mail Removed)
# http://802.11junk.com (E-Mail Removed)
# http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS

Jeff Liebermann wrote:
> On Tue, 6 Nov 2007 14:21:07 -0500, MaNiaCkK
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>> OK, so basically my pc broke and I'm here to ask for some
>> help/advice on how to either fix it or go about buying a new one.
>
> Proper disposal instructions for your computah can be found at various
> web sites that deal with eWaste and computer recycling. If you supply
> some clue as to where you're located, I can search for suitable
> recycler.
>
> As for a new computer, I suspect this would be a bad idea. I note
> that you are having some difficulties posting your question to the
> appropriate newsgroup. Your question has nothing to do with wireless.
> I also have some issues with your problem description, but I don't
> want to go there. You're also apparently unwilling or unable to seek
> professional local computer assistance. Basically, I'm not sure if
> you are qualified to repair or even operate a computer.
>
> In the meantime, you might consider that a replacement motherboard
> costs less than the time to troubleshoot your existing board.

Just out of curiosity, did you ever notice that traffic from that wireless
forum website only appears to be one way? Stuff posted here rarely shows
back there, and answers to posts on there don't seem to make it here (i see
several people from here on there also, but the replies are never
transferred)..... Looks like that may be one of the q's posted there.....

"Peter Pan" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>Just out of curiosity, did you ever notice that traffic from that wireless
>forum website only appears to be one way? Stuff posted here rarely shows
>back there, and answers to posts on there don't seem to make it here (i see
>several people from here on there also, but the replies are never
>transferred)..... Looks like that may be one of the q's posted there.....

Yep. Actually, it's a problem in both directions. It seems that
their usenet newsgroup gateway is broken. None of the usenet
originated posting coming from this newsgroup are not appearing. For
example, this thread at:
<http://www.wirelessforums.org/hardware-discussion/pc-advice-31536.html>
currently shows the original message, one followup that has NOT
appeared on Newsguy, and is missing 5 followup postings that
originated on usenet.

It appears that it has already been fixed. Recent followups to other
threads (such as mine about router reset problems) are apparently
identical on both services.


--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558