Hey Folks,
My mobo died weeks ago, and I posted this question to the forum:
http://www.techexams.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=27747
Following the advice, I determined that the motherboard was really dead. So, next step was to buy a new one.. actually a used one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220160614669
What I found, after playing with both motherboards and switching cpus and fans and experimenting is that when the fan is not on and locked (pushing on the cpu), the mobo doesn't start. My "new" motherboard had the same 1/2 second power on then off when the fan wasn't installed.
So, my question is.. does this sound legit? I am wondering if my old broken motherboard is not working simply because the cpu isn't contacting the mobo. Maybe if I stand on the cpu fan, it'll start up.
FYI: Here comes what I found and did next after getting the "new" mobo .. this is just informational about my "new" mobo, no question really, unless you see something:
1. plugged "new" mobo into just the psu .. and started it.. and I got the same problem as my old motherboard, namely the power comes on for a half a second.
2. So, I fiddled with the cpu fan, read more of the manual, cleared CMOS, and tried again.. this time I got the mobo to start (fan runs), but I get 3 beeps.
3. So, looking at the AMI beep code guide:
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000996.htm I plug in some RAM and turn the mobo on again. The fan runs (mobo is on), no beeps.. BUT no video output.
4. Lastly I plug in an AGP card and get video and two quick beeps and one short additional beep with the screen asking to plug in a bootable device
5. I plugged in the harddrive.. and now we are into software problems, but beyond the mobo issues I believe!
