Before I declare a dead motherboard

[WDHIII]

Anything else I need to consider before I declare a dead mb? I am quite sure this customer will get a second opinion so I want to make sure I don't look like a tool!

Customer called, getting no video on an HP Pavillion a6000 desktop. He says that his Son was using it when it suddenly shut down and wouldn't reboot. He says that he got it to power on with video, but gave him a BSOD and will not show any video when powered on now.

The machine will power (no beeps, even with RAM removed). HDD spinning, no video from onboard or pci-e card (mine).

I have:
-Tried known good video card
-booted with everything removed from MB except RAM
-Replaced RAM with known good set.
-Replaced PSU
-Put HDD on my bench system, tried using bluescreen viewer, but could not locate the minidump (Vista).
-HDD tests good.
-Replaced CMOS

I am leaning toward overheating, because this case was FILLED with dust bunnies. I used my leaf blower (thanks to Podnutz.com) to clean it out and it was the biggest cloud of dust I've ever gotten from a compy. The customer has several pets and has never cleaned the machine.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Wil

 

[morr]

Have you removed and reseated the CPU?
Always worth a try.

 

[iisjman07]

I was going to suggest it could be overheating but your leaf blower would've taken care of the issue. I agree with your diagnosis and it sounds like a dead motherboard. If you have time it may be worth trying the motherboard outside of it's case (say on a wooden table) to check it's not short circuiting, but that sounds pretty unlikely...

 

[WDHIII]

Have you removed and reseated the CPU?
Always worth a try.

Just tried, no dice. Thanks for the suggestions.

Is it wrong of me to assume that overheating can "fry" a motherboard. I don't want to give this customer bad information.

Wil

 

[red12049]

Anything else I need to consider before I declare a dead mb? I am quite sure this customer will get a second opinion so I want to make sure I don't look like a tool!

Customer called, getting no video on an HP Pavillion a6000 desktop. He says that his Son was using it when it suddenly shut down and wouldn't reboot. He says that he got it to power on with video, but gave him a BSOD and will not show any video when powered on now.

The machine will power (no beeps, even with RAM removed). HDD spinning, no video from onboard or pci-e card (mine).

I have:
-Tried known good video card
-booted with everything removed from MB except RAM
-Replaced RAM with known good set.
-Replaced PSU
-Put HDD on my bench system, tried using bluescreen viewer, but could not locate the minidump (Vista).
-HDD tests good.
-Replaced CMOS

I am leaning toward overheating, because this case was FILLED with dust bunnies. I used my leaf blower (thanks to Podnutz.com) to clean it out and it was the biggest cloud of dust I've ever gotten from a compy. The customer has several pets and has never cleaned the machine.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Wil

How did you replace the CMOS? Or do you mean the CMOS battery?

Rick

 

[WDHIII]

How did you replace the CMOS? Or do you mean the CMOS battery?

Yes, CMOS battery, sorry.

 

[MrUnknown]

Is it wrong of me to assume that overheating can "fry" a motherboard. I don't want to give this customer bad information.

Heat can very easily destroy electronic components. For examples, look at the Xbox 360 and the dv6000 laptop.

From what you have said, I would also diagnose a bad motherboard.

 

[B Trevathan]

I think things like dust and pet hair and smokers tar not only causes heat to build up but I think they may also conduct electricity or create an good environment for static electricity, I've heard of sand that generates lightning, and sugar refineries and coal-processing plants and feed mills explosions from the dust. Just Google it and you may find a lot of info.

Have you checked the motherboard for bad caps?

 

[WDHIII]

Have you checked the motherboard for bad caps?

Yeah, no bad caps on this one.

 

[silvano]

one thing I'd check is to make sure all jumpers are correct (like reset/clear cmos jumper). If that one isn't set right, itd demonstrate the power on but no beeps/video, and it'd be tough to diagnose. It might have blown off while you were cleaning it out.

 

[EZTech]

Yeah, no bad caps on this one.

That you can see at least.

 

[Justdropthem]

Have you try to remove the motherboard from the case completely and check for any open circuit on the motherboard. Because a spike can also cause open circuit on the main board.

 

[NYJimbo]

It's dead.

A replacement on ebay is about 65 with shipping. Quote them a price and move on. If you are wrong the only way the client is going to know is they take it to another place and they do as much testing as you, which is not likely.

If you are wrong then you eat the $65, which is not likely due to the type of testing you did.

You can only do so much testing with a machine like this and the repair costs is very small. So call it and roll the dice.

 

[atlanticjim]

It's dead.

A replacement on ebay is about 65 with shipping. Quote them a price and move on. If you are wrong the only way the client is going to know is they take it to another place and they do as much testing as you, which is not likely.

If you are wrong then you eat the $65, which is not likely due to the type of testing you did.

You can only do so much testing with a machine like this and the repair costs is very small. So call it and roll the dice.

1+
Time = Money
Don't waste either.

As soon as you sense that you might need a mobo replacement, price it out and then decide whether to go to the client with solution or continue the diagnostic (with rapidly decreasing probability of solution). Have you invested more time into this machine than your diagnostic fee will cover?

I recently posted a similar question to the group for confirmation of diagnosis but in that case it was laptop mobo ($$$) on a high end machine and the labor involved in replacing it (also $$$).

 

[NYJimbo]

I recently posted a similar question to the group for confirmation of diagnosis but in that case it was laptop mobo ($$$) on a high end machine and the labor involved in replacing it (also $$$).

Very true. It all depends on what is involved in time and money. A laptop mobo is alot harder to diag because you have alot less you can rip out, you cannot throw in generic cards and stuff. You are dealing with a complex power distribution system including charging circuits and battery (nothing like this on a desktop). Hell, even the CMOS BATTERY on a desktop can be replaced in 1 minute. Some laptops require a total tear down to get to it.

 

[jscx93]

"The machine will power (no beeps, even with RAM removed). HDD spinning, no video from onboard or pci-e card (mine)."

It doesn't POST.

it is bad.