Has my Motherboard blown up?

Letum · 12-06-09, 07:44 AM

Well, a hour or two ago my PC turned it's self off.
Upon turning it on again the fans started, but there was not beep from
the MB and no output to the moniter.
The GPU has it's 'VDDC_FAULT' / insufficant voltage light on, but a quick
test of the PSU shows that all voltage rails are producing correct
voltages.

A CMOS wipe, RAM removal, GPU and HDD removal and even CPU removal
produce no beeps from the MB.

Am I right in thinking my MB has blown?
What could have caused this?

CaptainHaplo · 12-06-09, 09:29 AM

Letum,

Remove all the add in boards and the drives from the MB. Basically you want just the board, the cpu and power hooked up. Start it then. If you get no POST beep at that point, yes its the MB.

It sounds like it is already, but I have seen other boards die and while still connected cause the mb to not be able to post.

Reece · 12-06-09, 07:30 PM

I'm watching with interest Letum but CaptainHaplo has the best diagnosed answer!

Lord Justice · 12-06-09, 09:06 PM

curious indeed, with psu still pumping norm, with no post beeps at all def sounds like mobo, did u check all wiring attached, and all connectors clear of dust, all leds light up ,check the pci e rail carefully, pins on graphics card? even with the psu still on norm reg output if situated on bottom of case is there a sufficent gap floor to base for air intake no carpet pile blockage? but if no post probly pointless checking graphics side, iamm 99per cent something has fryed on mobo if ALL correct wires and psu cables are seated correctly. sorry keep us up to speed could be a vital lesson learned here.

kiwi_2005 · 12-06-09, 09:58 PM

Might sound crazy i had similar problem to yours and after switching video cards swapping ram around and adding an older cpu i still had the problem I then went out and brought a new mobo battery. Fixed. I spent like 2 days crying over my precious gaming rig and the problem was a dead battery!

So before you give up and chuck mobo away buy a new battery ($11-15). Good luck

Letum · 12-07-09, 02:18 AM

Ahhhh! now that is interesting kiwi.

Letum · 12-09-09, 09:24 AM

Ack!

the battery was fine so I bought a new MB.
Problem persists. Looks like I wasted my cash. Dammit.

longam · 12-09-09, 11:05 AM

http://duxcw.com/faq/mb/deadmb.htm

Some basic trouble shooting procedures on this site. I was to lazy to type it.

Lord Justice · 12-09-09, 11:09 AM

sorry, poor fellow, is one covered, warranty?

Arclight · 12-09-09, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Letum

Ack!

the battery was fine so I bought a new MB.
Problem persists. Looks like I wasted my cash. Dammit.

Too hasty.

Check the CPU, would be my guess at this point.

FIREWALL · 12-09-09, 12:58 PM

@ Letum. Sorry to hear about problem especially this time of year when money has to be spent on others.

I am going to watch this thread closely as a friend has a simular problem.

I would like to post it here with Letums permission.

It is an interesting situation and all are close to cracking the case. (lame pun NOT intended)

We both might get an answer to this problem.

Letum · 12-09-09, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arclight

Too hasty.

Check the CPU, would be my guess at this point.

I doubt it is the CPU because I can't see how that would cause the VDDC
error in the GPU.

My suspicion is that the VDU has become defective. I have sent it off for
testing as it is under warranty.

Arclight · 12-09-09, 02:46 PM

Fair enough, but you mention the board doesn't even beep a code. Removing a dead graphics card should let the board function normally, unless the circuitry to the PCI-E slot is toast. Considering you got a new board, this is highly unlikely.

Board that does nothing = dead CPU in my experience. Even a dead battery should normally let the system boot, but with a "bad checksum" error, notifying of a reset of BIOS settings.

SteamWake · 12-09-09, 04:31 PM

Have you tried re-seating the CPU (take it out and re-install it) and making sure the cooling equipment is properly seated as well?

Letum · 12-09-09, 05:20 PM

Yer, I moved the CPU when I tried the other MB.

I found out why there is no post beep.

After *lots* of googling I managed to find out that it signals the end of the
post tests via a light and not a beep unless I plug in my own speaker for
postbeep.

Gah!

At least I can confirm it's a GPU issue now. Post light flashes fine except
with the GPU in.

Wonder what the new MB will get on ebay...

ed: It's depressing seeing how far the value of my kit had sunk in less than a year.

12-06-09, 07:44 AM	#1
Letum Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: York - UK Posts: 6,079 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	Has my Motherboard blown up? Well, a hour or two ago my PC turned it's self off. Upon turning it on again the fans started, but there was not beep from the MB and no output to the moniter. The GPU has it's 'VDDC_FAULT' / insufficant voltage light on, but a quick test of the PSU shows that all voltage rails are producing correct voltages. A CMOS wipe, RAM removal, GPU and HDD removal and even CPU removal produce no beeps from the MB. Am I right in thinking my MB has blown? What could have caused this? __________________

12-06-09, 09:29 AM	#2
CaptainHaplo Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,404 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	Letum, Remove all the add in boards and the drives from the MB. Basically you want just the board, the cpu and power hooked up. Start it then. If you get no POST beep at that point, yes its the MB. It sounds like it is already, but I have seen other boards die and while still connected cause the mb to not be able to post. __________________ Good Hunting! Captain Haplo

12-06-09, 07:30 PM	#3
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 34,688 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	I'm watching with interest Letum but CaptainHaplo has the best diagnosed answer! __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*

12-06-09, 09:58 PM	#5
kiwi_2005 Eternal Patrol Join Date: May 2004 Location: Aeoteroa Posts: 7,382 Downloads: 223 Uploads: 1	Might sound crazy i had similar problem to yours and after switching video cards swapping ram around and adding an older cpu i still had the problem I then went out and brought a new mobo battery. Fixed. I spent like 2 days crying over my precious gaming rig and the problem was a dead battery! So before you give up and chuck mobo away buy a new battery ($11-15). Good luck __________________ RIP kiwi_2005 Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others.

12-07-09, 02:18 AM	#6
Letum Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: York - UK Posts: 6,079 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	Ahhhh! now that is interesting kiwi. __________________

12-06-09, 09:06 PM	#4
Lord Justice Previously 4Para Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Britain Posts: 609 Downloads: 51 Uploads: 0	curious indeed, with psu still pumping norm, with no post beeps at all def sounds like mobo, did u check all wiring attached, and all connectors clear of dust, all leds light up ,check the pci e rail carefully, pins on graphics card? even with the psu still on norm reg output if situated on bottom of case is there a sufficent gap floor to base for air intake no carpet pile blockage? but if no post probly pointless checking graphics side, iamm 99per cent something has fryed on mobo if ALL correct wires and psu cables are seated correctly. sorry keep us up to speed could be a vital lesson learned here.

12-09-09, 09:24 AM	#7
Letum Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: York - UK Posts: 6,079 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	Ack! the battery was fine so I bought a new MB. Problem persists. Looks like I wasted my cash. Dammit. __________________

12-09-09, 11:05 AM	#8
longam Admiral Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,014 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	http://duxcw.com/faq/mb/deadmb.htm Some basic trouble shooting procedures on this site. I was to lazy to type it. Last edited by longam; 12-09-09 at 02:24 PM.

12-09-09, 11:09 AM	#9
Lord Justice Previously 4Para Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Britain Posts: 609 Downloads: 51 Uploads: 0	sorry, poor fellow, is one covered, warranty?

12-09-09, 12:58 PM	#11
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	@ Letum. Sorry to hear about problem especially this time of year when money has to be spent on others. I am going to watch this thread closely as a friend has a simular problem. I would like to post it here with Letums permission. It is an interesting situation and all are close to cracking the case. (lame pun NOT intended) We both might get an answer to this problem. __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

12-09-09, 02:46 PM	#13
Arclight Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and cheese. Lots of cheese. Posts: 8,467 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 10	Fair enough, but you mention the board doesn't even beep a code. Removing a dead graphics card should let the board function normally, unless the circuitry to the PCI-E slot is toast. Considering you got a new board, this is highly unlikely. Board that does nothing = dead CPU in my experience. Even a dead battery should normally let the system boot, but with a "bad checksum" error, notifying of a reset of BIOS settings. __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.

12-09-09, 04:31 PM	#14
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Have you tried re-seating the CPU (take it out and re-install it) and making sure the cooling equipment is properly seated as well? __________________ Follow the progress of Mr. Mulligan : http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=147648

12-09-09, 05:20 PM	#15
Letum Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: York - UK Posts: 6,079 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	Yer, I moved the CPU when I tried the other MB. I found out why there is no post beep. After lots of googling I managed to find out that it signals the end of the post tests via a light and not a beep unless I plug in my own speaker for postbeep. Gah! At least I can confirm it's a GPU issue now. Post light flashes fine except with the GPU in. Wonder what the new MB will get on ebay... ed: It's depressing seeing how far the value of my kit had sunk in less than a year. __________________