Dead computer

[Mischief007]

My brother has a dead computer. Took out the power supply and tried it in another system (beauty of having three computers in their house) and it powered up everything fine. Yay to the power supply.

Plugged another power supply to the dead computer with everything out including RAM and video card. Fans turn on but no life. Possibly blown motherboard?? And no he won't know how bad caps look like. The thing just shut down on him when he booted it up in the morning. It almost looks like a blown motherboard.

[Dr.Dan]

It's not going to do anything without RAM and video... unless you meant to say 'with everything out except RAM and video card'
Then I would agree... MB is probably damaged... would know better if I saw it though.

[Mischief007]

It should give you error codes though if they are out, correct?? Or is my logic flawed there??

[Dr.Dan]

Beeps? Maybe yes, maybe no... I've seen them just play dead before.

Put one stick of ram and the video card in...

You didn't say what the computer is, but if a slot, make sure the cpu is secure.

[sybil]

Bad caps are unmistakeable if you're looking for them. Some pics:
http://www.badcaps.net/ident/

[Mischief007]

We've tried all combinations and it looks like the thing is acting up severely. Sometimes it will boot up with just the video and ram and others it just plays dead. I'm going down to London tomorrow to take a closer look and see what is going on with his computer.

It as an AMD Duron 750, bought 5 years ago which lasted him through University. Not too bad since we only paid $650 for it from Cutting Edge Computers.

[Mischief007]

Well, video card is dead, onboard video is dead, Power supply is making noise, and bad caps everywhere. So we are just going to replace it.

So now I'm looking for barebones kits anywhere in between London and Toronto.
Web sites would be great. I've checked Tigerdirect already and found a few. Budget is $400 at most with a video card.

[Dr.Dan]

Find something that has onboard graphics and an AGP slot... [unless you have an AGP card laying around that you can use]... and then he can get a card later.

If this older unit was good enough for him, a Sempron CPU should be good, and they're cheap

Look at the Value Sempron S754 Systems
http://www.cedgec.com/Systems/Value.htm

[Mischief007]

Do you know if Cutting Edge lets you take things off those systems??

[Dr.Dan]

Oh yeah, you can just buy whatever parts you want... that was just to give you an idea of what you can get for money.
If all you want is the MB, CPU, RAM, and case w/PSU, then that's what they'll sell you.

Best to talk to them and say "I want something like the XXXXX system, but I don't need (whatever parts), so how much would that cost?"

I know it's hard for you to help from Kitchener, so if you want I can help your brother go there and pick stuff out... just send me a PM with your e-mail and I'll get back to you.

[Mischief007]

We don't even need the case, just the basics basically. I emailed Les and Deb and see what they can come up with since my brother will be in TO a week from Monday.

I appreciate your help Dr. Dan.

[AMD]

You could try finding another slot A motherboard or get a new board + ram + cpu - if he's just doing basic tasks, there is no need to buy a new computer.

Bad capacitors can be replaced, but it’s not cheap.

[Mischief007]

He's a gamer as well, on a budget.

I've been finding Sempron 64s for under $100. Is that right or are my eyes misleading me.

[AMD]

Price wise, you can pick up an a64 2800+ for not much more.

However, socket 754 is a dead end - at least if he goes for a Celeron D it will be upgradable without replacing a perfectly good motherboard.

[Mischief007]

Just a quick question. Are all current video cards 1.5v??

The Gigabyte K8NS motherboard says 1.5v only and the video card I'm looking at is a MSI RX9550-TD128 but I can't find any detailed specs on it.

[AMD]

Any AGP card you buy today will be compatible with that board.

BTW Gigabyte doesn't exactly have the best reputation - I would look at Abit or Asus instead. (however, I have never touched one of their boards)

[Mischief007]

Asus lately doesn't have the reputation either. I've heard bad things. And Abit is just plain too expensive for my brother's needs.

[AMD]

Some of them are not expensive at all - The regular NF7 (for socket A sempron) costs below $90, and it's an excellent board. The integrated video version can be had for not much more ($115 I believe), and it's a heck of a lot better than the Intel extreme graphics junk.

If he's interested in a socket 754, check out NF8 (http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/products.php?categories=1&model=235) - goes for around $100. (unfortunetally no integrated video)

The really cheap stuff is unreliable, causes lots of problems, and does not run very well in general.

[Mischief007]

That's fine if it isn't integrated. We are getting a separate video card anyway. A MSI 5200 Nvidia.

Any stores in South western Ontario that carries that motherboard?? I know Abits are hard to find on a good day.

Edit: I've been looking and can't find it. The ones I find are $115 - $130.

My brother is on a tight budget.

[Dr.Dan]

Take a look at either DFI or MSI boards... good boards at a (usually) cheap price ;)

I've built almost all my systems on MSI without a single problem to date :)

[Mischief007]

I've got a MSI board in my system. I'll take a look at DFI as well and see what I can find. Mind you I haven't heard bad things about Gigabyte boards either.

[Dr.Dan]

No, I don't have any experiance with Gigabyte and you don't see them too much either. Both DFI and MSI are everywhere.

If you go with MSI, be sure to check their forums first to check the model you're looking at.
Most are good, but they do have some duds ;)

[Mischief007]

I'm doing a ton of research. Tough part in order to look for certain parts on a budget

[AMD]

That's fine if it isn't integrated. We are getting a separate video card anyway. A MSI 5200 Nvidia.

Any stores in South western Ontario that carries that motherboard?? I know Abits are hard to find on a good day.

Edit: I've been looking and can't find it. The ones I find are $115 - $130.

My brother is on a tight budget.

I C C T* sells them - haven't had any problems with that store in spite of people's complaints on this message board.

*Edit: WHY is that censored? Don't tell me that the name of a computer store can be considered offensive.

MSI should be fine as well. DFI's products however are designed with the overclocker in mind, and some of them do have had problems.

[sybil]

Places that sell Abit:
http://www.infonec.com/site/main.php?module=catalog&catID=2
http://www.pcwaterloo.com/prices.php
http://www.extreme-pc.ca/listmenu3items.asp?pagenum=1&menu2id=83&menu1id=12&menu3id=44
You might want to call first to check stock. I highly recommend Infonec (the Mississauga location is pretty convenient if you're going from Kitchener, but again call re stock first.) They list an Abit KN8 for $108, an NF7 for $85.

[Mischief007]

Cool. Thanks guys.
This is final. Getting parts from Cutting Edge Computers and Digital Centre in London:
MSI K8T Neo-V, AMD Sempron 2600+ S754, Kingston 512 MB DDR400, SB Live 24-bit, MSI FX5500-TD256, and Enermax 350Watt PS.

Parts are on hold for me at Cutting Edge for Saturday and ordered the stuff from Digital Centre. Saturday morning I'll be in London putting a system together for my brother. Joy. :)

[AMD]

Good choice. The integrated sound is probably fine - no need for the SoundBlaster card.

Not a fan of VIA, but I haven't heard of any issues with their K8 chipsets yet.

[Dr.Dan]

I agree... save the $50 and just use the onboard sound... I'm sure he won't be able to tell the difference between the two.

Nothing wrong with that chipset either... at least it isn't SiS...

Maybe with the extra $50 you can upgrade the processor a step or two ;)

[Mischief007]

He's got a 4.1 Speaker system already and wants to utilize that.

I'm actually having problems with my on-board sound because it brings the computer to a halt. Have to update the drivers probably but am too lazy ;)...

I'm picking it up tomorrow morning from Digital Centre and Cutting Edge. I hate it that my brother is going to have a better system than me. At least I'll have a better car than him...lol

[Dr.Dan]

Onboard is 6 channel.... just like the card you want to get ;)
http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_detail.php?UID=648

It'll work fine for him
http://www.msi.com.tw/images/little_icon/Bult_ar_org.gifAudio http://www.msi.com.tw/images/product_img/other/mainboard/feature/5.1channel.gif

• 6 channels software audio codec Realtek® ALC655
- Compliance with AC97 v2.3 Spec.
- Meet PC2001 audio performance requirement.

[Mischief007]

Gotcha. ;). System is up and running now. What a difference. CPU runs cooler than mine...lol

[Dr.Dan]

You should have just sold him yours and built it for yourself ;)

[Mischief007]

I can't afford to Dr. Dan. My system is on the brinks of death as well. Video card is almost pooched and something bogs down my system when playing sound files...lol. So yeah, kinda hard.

[Dr.Dan]

Right. I forgot... you're using your laptop cause your box is on the blink.

You're working now, so you'll be able to build something nice soon :)

[Mischief007]

^ exactly. I don't know about building one soon though. Might take a while since I'm looking at replacing my car...lol

[Dr.Dan]

Uhmmm... errrr.... ahhhh... You just got that car... and you keep saying you're happy with it... so why replace it?? :tch:

[Mischief007]

Uhmmm... errrr.... ahhhh... You just got that car... and you keep saying you're happy with it... so why replace it?? :tch:

Was expecting that from you. I'm hating FWD. I love cars but FWD is pi$$ng me off. I'd take a loss on the Alero to go RWD. Right now I'm just looking to see the prices and options available. You know the research part ;).