Yet another NO POST question

[Aevum]

Hello there,

i was watching some 1080p this morning with my PC, which was resonably warm (never gut around to configure the video optimizations for h264)

anyawys, i hear a puff, screen goes blank, everything is dead,

long story short
Computer Stats :

phenom 2 6400+ 140 watt version
MSI DKA790GX 1.0
2x2GB 1066mhz G-skill (running at 800mhz)
Asus Ati HD4850 with a sytche heatsink
Corsair VX530 PSU
1 firewire card TI chipset
1 USB card Via chipset
1 60GB Intel X-25M (boot device)
1 Western digital green power 1.5TB drive

Diagnostics steps taken:
1) Clear cmos
2) remove video card, attempt to post with onboard 790GX integrated video
3) remove memory, try with both sticks individualy
4) disconnect all drives and pci cards, leaving only processor, motherboard and 1 stick of ram,
5) walk away and take a shower, let computer cool down
6) remove CPU to see if PC posts with CPU missing messege,
7) attempt to use my emergency PSU which is a Bequiet 480watt Blackline pro

all diagnotics steps have resulted in the same result, with exception of step 6, black screen, no post, cpu fan spins for half a second (dosnt get more then 1/4 spin), case fans dont spin at all, the onboard power indicator works, this MSI board has 3 botons on board for power, reset and clear cmos, and when the board has a working psu connected, the power botton shines with a green light,

thats what worries me, in all the cases of toasted CPU or Toasted board i´ve seen so far, the case fans would atleast work,

now, i just got paid, and 1/3 of my salary is allready gone on due rent and expences, and my credit card bill is about to to drop, (no, im not asking for money, not that desprete... yet), i need to know whats the safest bet, fried CPU or fried motherboard,

 

[Mussels]

there is no phenom II 6400+ - that would be an Athlon x2

fans should work, but if the mobo is fried it may power down automatically, thus turning off the PSU (and fans)

my bet is on mobo or PSU. if a secondary PSU doesnt work, then its likely mobo.


In a situation like this you need a spare part for everything, and to test everything you can in another system.

 

[erocker]

Check the underside of your video card for any debug LED's that may be on. Pop the CPU out of the socket and check for any discoloration of pins, burn marks in the socket, etc. If it all looks good, it's most likely the motherboard. Take a magnifying glass and just go over everything on the mobo, take your time. Look for anything burnt, popped out, broken etc. Good luck.

 

[Aevum]

sorry, phenom 965 3.4ghz,
and i just remembered i have a 6000+ and a old biostar AM2 board on hand, im going to use the for diagnostics,

 

[Mussels]

sorry, phenom 965 3.4ghz,
and i just remembered i have a 6000+ and a old biostar AM2 board on hand, im going to use the for diagnostics,

good plan.

dont forget to test with another video card as well, its entirely possible its what died.

 

[Aevum]

allready did, i tested with the 4850 and the onboard HD3300,

plugged in the 6000+, same result, the board is dead, i guess i have to go shopping for a decent AM2+ board, (and no, i cant afford the DDR3 kit right now, so no AM3 for me)

 

[Mussels]

dont forget to test everything on both mobos, dont make assumptions too early. more than one thing can be fried, remember. no point buying an AM2+ board if your DDR2 is fried along with it, for example.

 

[Aevum]

dont forget to test everything on both mobos, dont make assumptions too early. more than one thing can be fried, remember. no point buying an AM2+ board if your DDR2 is fried along with it, for example.

i have a couple of sticks of DDR2 800 in my HTPC i can use, thats no problem.

 

[twilyth]

I mentioned this in another thread, but I'll insert it here too. Some mobo's don't reset the cmos right away when you jumper the CLRTC pins. You might have to wait 15-30 seconds and maybe more. Of course that means unplugged and sans battery.

This one is obvious, but burn damage can hide under heatsinks. Although once you get to the point of popping off heatsinks you have to wonder if it's worth it.

 

[Aevum]

dont worry, allraedy got it down to the motherboard,
now im wondering if to pick up another MSI or an Asus, the MSI seems like the more likly candidate thanks to having the same chipset, so i can avoid reinstalling everything,

 

[twilyth]

You should probably take a look at this article first - http://www.behardware.com/articles/788-1/components-returns-rates.html

Hat tip to laszlo for this thread - http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=106907