SOLVED: Need some help with my i7 build computer (LA Area)

[ChrisToad]

In short, does anyone have an LGA 1366 chipped motherboard I can have you try my i7 processor in to see if it works or is broken?

So, I've had this computer I built a few years ago... And the other day, it wouldn't boot randomly. It's not software related, the motherboard lights up every light and spins all fans at full speed. Nothing shows on the display etc. to troubleshoot, I removed all the extra add ons, cards etc. and stripped it down to the power supply, motherboard, and processor. Still same problem. I also tried swapping out different RAM.

Below are my specs... Can anyone suggest something else to try other than scrapping both my MB and CPU? I have no way of knowing which of the two may be broken


MB/CPU: GA-EX58-UD4P with Intel i7 920 @2.67Ghz
RAM: Corsair DDR3 8Gb 4 x 2Gb 1066MHz
GPU: XFX GeForce 9800GT 512MB
DVD: PIONEER DVR-216D
Network: NETGEAR GA311

[armygunsmith]

Is it even getting to POST? Any beeps from the motherboard when you start it up? Can't even get to the BIOS? Have you tried resetting your BIOS?

[ChrisToad]

No beeps or sounds... I did reset the bios, I also replaced the mb button battery.

What's POST? It doesn't get anywhere if that answers your question! Thanks for your help already!

[armygunsmith]

POST is Power On Self Test. Generally, the motherboard emits a beep when the POST has successfully completed, then you'll start to see some info flashing by on your monitor. In the case of OEMs it it their logo and in other cases it is the logo of the BIOS manufacturer.

Since you're not getting any beeps at start and nothing flashes by on the screen, try the following:

-Make sure the monitor is on. (I know, it's simple. I've been tricked by LCDs that I thought were in standby mode)

-Make sure that the underside motherboard is not touching the chassis of the tower. Except for where the standoffs are used to support the motherboard.

-Make sure that all the power connectors are seated on the motherboard. I believe that two power connectors are needed on some motherboards.

-Unplug any video cards, ram, and drives from the motherboard, then try to boot it. This will let you know right away if something other than the motherboard is causing an issue.

Did you leave the computer off for an extended period of time? It it connected to a power strip or UPS?

I forgot to add. After trying the above, power on and try to get to the BIOS to change settings.

[ChrisToad]

Again, thanks for the replies!

No POST, no video at all. Monitor never leaves stand by mode.
Monitor is def on, I have 2 and tried both. Typically, the MB lights up, and then goes to green lights and the system boots. Today, all the mb lights, red yellow,all sorts of stuff, stay lit and nothing happens.

I doubled checked that the mb is mounted properly on the mounting posts.. All is good. Nothing changed with any of that.

I re-seated all of the mb power connections

I re-seated the i7 processor

I've already removed ram, video card, etc to troubleshoot. Still no change.
I'm down to power supply, mb, and CPU at this point.

It's plugged into the wall directly and has been used recently, it acts as my iTunes media server on the weekends.

I'm not sure what else could be wrong beyond either the mb or CPU having gone south.

[the86d]

Bad RAM, Bad Caps (Leaking or buldging domed tops, rather than flat), Secondary video card Undetected if you have an on-board (if so try the onboard), Bad caps in the P/Supply?

Sounds like a dead board, were you running ANY type of UPS on it (even cheapie)?

If you can, see if you can get another board to test the CPU on (cheaper than CPU & mainboard combo for testing everything else..), and return it if the CPU is bad (I have not bought a board from Best buy for MANY YEARS, and don't know if they still carry them, but I know they changed to a better return policy that they used to have, to keep up with the competition.

[ChrisToad]

That was the whole point of this thread. The CPU is socket LGA 1366, which is not the same socket new Motherboards have. I'd like to find someone that DOES have an LGA 1366 board that can try my CPU. I thought maybe I could find cheap ones online to try out but there's almost nothing available. I'm kinda surprised tbh.

I'm not sure what checking the 'caps' means.

I used to run this machine on a battery backup, but it died also.

[armygunsmith]

That was the whole point of this thread. The CPU is socket LGA 1366, which is not the same socket new Motherboards have. I'd like to find someone that DOES have an LGA 1366 board that can try my CPU. I thought maybe I could find cheap ones online to try out but there's almost nothing available. I'm kinda surprised tbh.

I'm not sure what checking the 'caps' means.

I used to run this machine on a battery backup, but it died also.

Caps are capacitors. Sometimes manufacturers end up using sub-standard parts or they go bad. This is evident when the top of the capacitor bulges or or has ruptured and leaked. Google ruptured capacitor to see what one would look like. Just as the86d said, it is most likely the motherboard. Sorry, but I don't have a compatible board to help you out. Good luck!

[the86d]

Cap(acitors):


If you have a buddy with a compatible board, you many wish to see if you can visit them for a few hours ... and bring them a 12 pack for their troubles, while you CPU-swap on a known-good system (few hours for the beer and conversation after the testing) to verify CPU is good (so you don't waste money on a new CPU if it is just the board).

[olhunter]

Try changing the power supply.

I've had all kinds of problems that seemed odd and intermittent that were directly attributable to the P/S.

Small variations in voltage to the mobo will cause all kinds of weird issues.

[ChrisToad]

Try changing the power supply.

I've had all kinds of problems that seemed odd and intermittent that were directly attributable to the P/S.

Small variations in voltage to the mobo will cause all kinds of weird issues.

I'll try a new P/S from Fry's tomorrow...
Still trying to find a friend with an LGA 1366 socket M/b... :-(

[oldsmoboat]

I'll try a new P/S from Fry's tomorrow...
Still trying to find a friend with an LGA 1366 socket M/b... :-(

Don't buy anything from Fry's unless the plastic wrap on the packages is pristine.
They take returns and re-wrap them. Some of the items were returned because they didn't work. Fry's doesn't seem to check/care.

[billofrights]

Hell, if you're going to Fry's buy a motherboard to test it with, then take it back later today

[ChrisToad]

SOLVED!

Culprit: Power Supply

I got a replacement at Frys (yes it was new), and the system booted right up.

I can't see inside the bad supply to see if the capacitors are whacked or what. Any parts inside worth salvaging for scraps? Or should I send a .50 Beowulf through it and call it a day?

Thanks to all for your help!

[billofrights]

Nothing worth opening up a dead PS for. Firing squad.