Dead motherboard

[Ext User(phil)]

I am working on my daughter's ABit AN7 computer. The Northbridge fan
was noisy, so I opened it up, lifted the seal from the bearings and
added a drop of oil. Tried to reboot with the case open, but boot
process hung. This MB has a post code display, and the code shows that
preliminary power checks pass, but fails to run the BIOS posts (code
90). I have removed the video card and unplugged all drives and
memory. Result is the same.

1. Any thoughts as to how to proceed?

2. Suggestions on possible MB replacements that will take AMD XP 2700,
PC3200 DDR, with SATA. I see the AN7 still listed, but the price is
$169 (more than I paid 2 years ago)!

3. Suggestions on minimal upgrade to 64bit CPU and MB. Is it possible
to use the old memory with any of them?

I am away from home and must leave early Sunday, but am in the Chicago
area, so store access is good.

Your suggestions are appreciated!

Phil

[Ext User(Rod Speed)]

phil <pgx@pgrahams.com> wrote:

> I am working on my daughter's ABit AN7 computer. The Northbridge
> fan was noisy, so I opened it up, lifted the seal from the bearings
> and added a drop of oil. Tried to reboot with the case open, but boot
> process hung. This MB has a post code display, and the code shows
> that preliminary power checks pass, but fails to run the BIOS posts
> (code 90). I have removed the video card and unplugged all drives
> and memory. Result is the same.

Abit claims that is usually seen with a failed overclock
http://www.google.com.au/search?q=po...%3Aabit.com.tw

> 1. Any thoughts as to how to proceed?

Dont overclock if its currently overclocked.

Check for bad caps on the motherboard if its not overclocked.

> 2. Suggestions on possible MB replacements that will take
> AMD XP 2700, PC3200 DDR, with SATA. I see the AN7 still
> listed, but the price is $169 (more than I paid 2 years ago)!

> 3. Suggestions on minimal upgrade to 64bit CPU and MB.
> Is it possible to use the old memory with any of them?

> I am away from home and must leave early Sunday,
> but am in the Chicago area, so store access is good.

> Your suggestions are appreciated!

[Ext User(JAD)]

"phil" <pgx@pgrahams.com> wrote in message
news:1164417286.053757.123600@l39g2000cwd.googlegr oups.com...
> I am working on my daughter's ABit AN7 computer. The Northbridge fan
> was noisy, so I opened it up, lifted the seal from the bearings and
> added a drop of oil. Tried to reboot with the case open, but boot
> process hung.

and it ran fine before the oil?


This MB has a post code display, and the code shows that
> preliminary power checks pass, but fails to run the BIOS posts (code
> 90).

clear the CMOS or you could try loading the boot defaults.

I have removed the video card and unplugged all drives and
> memory. Result is the same.
>
> 1. Any thoughts as to how to proceed?
>
> 2. Suggestions on possible MB replacements that will take AMD XP 2700,
> PC3200 DDR, with SATA. I see the AN7 still listed, but the price is
> $169 (more than I paid 2 years ago)!

unless there is something that you already know is wrong with the board I
don't see how it can be trashed by oiling the NB fan

>
> 3. Suggestions on minimal upgrade to 64bit CPU and MB. Is it possible
> to use the old memory with any of them?
>
> I am away from home and must leave early Sunday, but am in the Chicago
> area, so store access is good.
>
> Your suggestions are appreciated!
>
> Phil
>

[Ext User(phil)]

> and it ran fine before the oil?

Yes, other than low fan speed alarm for the first minute or so! But no
indication of excess temperature.

> clear the CMOS or you could try loading the boot defaults.

Cleared - no change

> unless there is something that you already know is wrong with the board I
> don't see how it can be trashed by oiling the NB fan

I agree - except sometimes flexing circuit boards or connectors can
show up a problem. But I agree, this shouldn't be happening.

Phil

[Ext User(Stephen)]

On 24 Nov 2006 17:14:46 -0800, "phil" <pgx@pgrahams.com> had a flock
of green cheek conures squawk out:

>I am working on my daughter's ABit AN7 computer. The Northbridge fan
>was noisy, so I opened it up, lifted the seal from the bearings and
>added a drop of oil. Tried to reboot with the case open, but boot
>process hung. This MB has a post code display, and the code shows that
>preliminary power checks pass, but fails to run the BIOS posts (code
>90). I have removed the video card and unplugged all drives and
>memory. Result is the same.
>
>1. Any thoughts as to how to proceed?
>
>2. Suggestions on possible MB replacements that will take AMD XP 2700,
>PC3200 DDR, with SATA. I see the AN7 still listed, but the price is
>$169 (more than I paid 2 years ago)!
>
>3. Suggestions on minimal upgrade to 64bit CPU and MB. Is it possible
>to use the old memory with any of them?
>
>I am away from home and must leave early Sunday, but am in the Chicago
>area, so store access is good.
>
>Your suggestions are appreciated!
>
>Phil

Make sure everything is still plugged in. You might have dislodged a
power cable.

Stephen
--

[Ext User(phil)]

Stephen wrote:

> Make sure everything is still plugged in. You might have dislodged a
> power cable.


At this point I have the MB removed from case and disconnected from
everything except PSU. New CMOS battery installed. A good board should
boot part way into the bios and show a post code that no video card is
found.

This one stops after the uGuru initializes. The bios fails to complete
its first step - checking CMOS I/O.

I have tried a different PSU.

I have tried starting with insert key pressed, then resetting. No Go.

At this point it looks like MB or CPU.

I have to have a working machine by Sunday early. Looks like the best
bet is to buy a new Dual Core with minimal extras and move the drives
from the dead machine to it. Then fix this one when there is time.

I hope I'm not missing something easy!

Phil

[Ext User(phil)]

Stephen wrote:

> Make sure everything is still plugged in. You might have dislodged a
> power cable.


At this point I have the MB removed from case and disconnected from
everything except PSU. New CMOS battery installed. A good board should
boot part way into the bios and show a post code that no video card is
found.

This one stops after the uGuru initializes. The bios fails to complete
its first step - checking CMOS I/O.

I have tried a different PSU.

I have tried starting with insert key pressed, then resetting. No Go.

At this point it looks like MB or CPU.

I have to have a working machine by Sunday early. Looks like the best
bet is to buy a new Dual Core with minimal extras and move the drives
from the dead machine to it. Then fix this one when there is time.

I hope I'm not missing something easy!

Phil

[Ext User(Stephen)]

On 24 Nov 2006 17:14:46 -0800, "phil" <pgx@pgrahams.com> had a flock
of green cheek conures squawk out:

>I am working on my daughter's ABit AN7 computer. The Northbridge fan
>was noisy, so I opened it up, lifted the seal from the bearings and
>added a drop of oil. Tried to reboot with the case open, but boot
>process hung. This MB has a post code display, and the code shows that
>preliminary power checks pass, but fails to run the BIOS posts (code
>90). I have removed the video card and unplugged all drives and
>memory. Result is the same.
>
>1. Any thoughts as to how to proceed?
>
>2. Suggestions on possible MB replacements that will take AMD XP 2700,
>PC3200 DDR, with SATA. I see the AN7 still listed, but the price is
>$169 (more than I paid 2 years ago)!
>
>3. Suggestions on minimal upgrade to 64bit CPU and MB. Is it possible
>to use the old memory with any of them?
>
>I am away from home and must leave early Sunday, but am in the Chicago
>area, so store access is good.
>
>Your suggestions are appreciated!
>
>Phil

Make sure everything is still plugged in. You might have dislodged a
power cable.

Stephen
--

[Ext User(phil)]

Stephen wrote:

> Make sure everything is still plugged in. You might have dislodged a
> power cable.


At this point I have the MB removed from case and disconnected from
everything except PSU. New CMOS battery installed. A good board should
boot part way into the bios and show a post code that no video card is
found.

This one stops after the uGuru initializes. The bios fails to complete
its first step - checking CMOS I/O.

I have tried a different PSU.

I have tried starting with insert key pressed, then resetting. No Go.

At this point it looks like MB or CPU.

I have to have a working machine by Sunday early. Looks like the best
bet is to buy a new Dual Core with minimal extras and move the drives
from the dead machine to it. Then fix this one when there is time.

I hope I'm not missing something easy!

Phil

[Ext User(phil)]

Stephen wrote:

> Make sure everything is still plugged in. You might have dislodged a
> power cable.


At this point I have the MB removed from case and disconnected from
everything except PSU. New CMOS battery installed. A good board should
boot part way into the bios and show a post code that no video card is
found.

This one stops after the uGuru initializes. The bios fails to complete
its first step - checking CMOS I/O.

I have tried a different PSU.

I have tried starting with insert key pressed, then resetting. No Go.

At this point it looks like MB or CPU.

I have to have a working machine by Sunday early. Looks like the best
bet is to buy a new Dual Core with minimal extras and move the drives
from the dead machine to it. Then fix this one when there is time.

I hope I'm not missing something easy!

Phil

[Ext User(spodosaurus)]

phil wrote:
> Stephen wrote:
>
>> Make sure everything is still plugged in. You might have dislodged a
>> power cable.
>
>
> At this point I have the MB removed from case and disconnected from
> everything except PSU. New CMOS battery installed. A good board should
> boot part way into the bios and show a post code that no video card is
> found.
>
> This one stops after the uGuru initializes. The bios fails to complete
> its first step - checking CMOS I/O.
>
> I have tried a different PSU.
>
> I have tried starting with insert key pressed, then resetting. No Go.
>
> At this point it looks like MB or CPU.
>
> I have to have a working machine by Sunday early. Looks like the best
> bet is to buy a new Dual Core with minimal extras and move the drives
> from the dead machine to it. Then fix this one when there is time.
>
> I hope I'm not missing something easy!
>
> Phil
>

Be ready to do a repair install, you usually just cant swap boot drives
from one computer to another.

Ari

--
spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply
Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please
volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life:
http://www.abmdr.org.au/
http://www.marrow.org/

[Ext User(spodosaurus)]

phil wrote:
> Stephen wrote:
>
>> Make sure everything is still plugged in. You might have dislodged a
>> power cable.
>
>
> At this point I have the MB removed from case and disconnected from
> everything except PSU. New CMOS battery installed. A good board should
> boot part way into the bios and show a post code that no video card is
> found.
>
> This one stops after the uGuru initializes. The bios fails to complete
> its first step - checking CMOS I/O.
>
> I have tried a different PSU.
>
> I have tried starting with insert key pressed, then resetting. No Go.
>
> At this point it looks like MB or CPU.
>
> I have to have a working machine by Sunday early. Looks like the best
> bet is to buy a new Dual Core with minimal extras and move the drives
> from the dead machine to it. Then fix this one when there is time.
>
> I hope I'm not missing something easy!
>
> Phil
>

Be ready to do a repair install, you usually just cant swap boot drives
from one computer to another.

Ari

--
spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply
Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please
volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life:
http://www.abmdr.org.au/
http://www.marrow.org/