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Looks like I fried my motherboard. Here's the kicker...
I got a static zap while taking a CD out of the CD Drive, and now my motherboard is shot. Yes, you read that right.
So, my question is, I know the hard drives still work, but what else proabably got fried? Should the processor still be good? RDRam? Video Card?
I'm guessing the CD Drive is shot to hell, and the video didn't vanish the second it happened, so the videocard should be ok.
My BIGGEST concern now, by far, is the CPU, I don't have another motherboard available to test it on (I ordered one already and it's on it's way). So does anyone know? If the motherboard gets fried (It wouldn't veen get to the Intel boot screen) will the CPU be ok? Any chance that the CPU got fried and the motherboard is ok?
Hey Wulfie...
I'm not arguing with you at all, but what leads you to believe your mobo is roasted?
Does your computer still get power to the CDROMs? Does the little power light on the mainboard come on? Since the CDROM and the driver are plastic, how did the static snap happen? And the power cord to the power supply has a ground on the plug, so as long as it is plugged in there should be no damage.
It's hard to imagine that a snap from a CDROM would kill the mainboard. It definitely should not affect the CPU or the RAM sticks.It's a chance for us all to learn. Thanks.
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Yes, it could be the cpu and/or the mobo. A fried pci card can also cause a short, as can memory.
If there are no beep codes, it is most likely the mobo or cpu.
When you get the new mobo, test it with only cpu, memory and video card. If it does not work, you will have to troubleshoot each. When it works, test it with one pci card at a time to make sure they were not damaged.
Were you on a carpet? If so, you might want to invest in an anti-static mat.
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Im also wondering how you hit your mobo with static from removeing a cd from the drive.
If that could happen then people evryware would be zapping there mobo's, every time you took a cd out of the drive there would be a chance of destroying your systemWhat it comes down to, is , you did not hit your mobo with static simply removeing the a cd from the cd rom drive, try and think of what else you might have done.
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Hey, I'm completely with ya, I have no IDEA how it happened. I even have it connected to a UPS for extra protection (lol)
CD Ejected, I went to grab it, and got a big shock. I'm guess it was enough static to go in the CD Drive and down the cable from there <shrug> (Northeast right now hasn't gone above zero in days, I've been zapping EVERYTHING I touch)
I tried removing 2 sticks of ram, and put the bypasses in their (RDRam double stick setup) and no go, tried both sticks of ram. I tried the video card in another computer and it worked (Computer crashed once it got into windows, but that was just imcompatibility)
I even removed all hard drives, CD Drives, and all but 2 pieces of ram (which I tried both sets individually) and it still wouldn't boot into Bios, or show the intel splashscreen that always comes on when it first gets turned on.
I didn't check, but I believe the CD Drives were getting power (not spinning, just constant lit-up) the hard drive indicator and power indicator on the front of the computer stopped coming on, I believe the lights on the mobo were ON, and all fans were getting power (including the cpu fan)
All in all, I'm pretty damn confused, and am just assuming something on the motherboard went, since the hard drives and videocard worked fine in another computer. (I'm still having my doubts on the video card because it wasn't working WELL at all.)
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Side notes - It's in a thermaltake Xaser III case, the temp guage flickered, then reset, the flourescents inside the case flickered for a good 1-2 seconds, and the computer screen itself just froze (Didn't shut down) I also have my doubts as to how well grounded this old house is, and I have it running through a belkin UPS.
Also, no, I didn't touch or do anything else. I reached over (computer is on my desk on the side) and touched the CD ONLY, and got zapped. I suppose it's possible the computer CASE could have been the one to zap me?
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First thing I would try would be to clear the CMOS. I wouldn't give up on the MB until you have done some troubleshooting.
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How would I do that? I'm open to any suggestions, I'm great at building computers, but I suck at motherboard diagnostics. I'm just NOT setup to test individual components, etc... It's an Inteli D850EMV2 Motherboard
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OtheHill had a good suggestion; you may have corrupted your BIOS, which could give you the probs you have! The BIOS battery looks like a silver quarter (money, that is)and sits flat on the mobo held by a thin socket and a little spring clip. Just pop it out and let it sit for 15 minutes. Or/also there may also be a tiny jumper next to it that you pull off, move over a pin, and move it back again. It shorts the CMOS settings and returns everything back to default. Check your manual. In fact, the battery is cheap and is available in any store. Maybe just replace it in case it got damaged.
BTW-if the static came thru the case, it can't be your mainboard bedcause the mobo is insulated from the case on the standoffs. I still think there is another prob. Definitely check out your BIOS-you may have to flash it, which is no big deal.
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My mobo doesn't have a Bios flash, so I'll take the battery out for a while and give that a try, but shouldn't SOMETHING be coming up on the monitor? A flicker? an error? anything?
As for flashing the bios, and good websites on how to do that? :) I don't even know if I have a working diskette drive anywhere anymore, lol.
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OK, here's the next update. I pulled the battery for 15-20 minutes. POpped it back in, it sat there for about 30-40 seconds, then finally the power light on the computer came on, and bios finally came up. I started looking through the bios settings, and the computer rebooted. Beeped twice (First times it's beeped at ALL). back into BIOS.
Then it just started re-booting, beeping twice and going into BIOS until I shut it off, disconnected the power, and pulled the battery again.So, the RAM, video card, and CPU are still good. But what is 2 beeps, and why the constant reboot?
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WEll, sorry to break the news guy, but 2 beeps
Ive looked up and i know from experience that its a parity circuit failure. This could definitely be accociated with RAM circuitry, mobo problems.
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Okay, Okay, we're making progress here! Let the thing set with the battery out, and try to reboot again. If it still does the reboot-dance, then get a stick of ram - anything, even borrow one from a good friend - pull out what you have and install the new. If it boots normally, you solved your problem. If it still does the reboot thing, I suggest that you flash your BIOS. There are lots of sites that tell you how, it's no big deal. I am sure that your mainboard BIOS chip can be flashed, just do some investigating. But right now your mainboard appears to be working, so before you shell out money for a new one, exhaust your options first.
A suggestion for a ram stick is to buy one from Best Buy (if there is one in your area). If that is not the problem, return it to Best Buy for a refund; if it is the problem, keep it (obviously). As I remember, Best Buy will not try to charge you a restocking fee, but check it out first.
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Well, the one time I got it to boot, it showed the ram and CPU as detected and working in BIOS. Since I already ordered the new mobo and ram, I'm just gonna keep the cpu happy and replace the mobo & ram.
The problem with the current "replace the ram" theory, is that it DID boot once, and it's RDRam, which can't just be picked up locally or from a friend since NOONE seems to have it :)
So, $200 and I get 512mb PC3200 DDR Ram and a new/better motherboard, I can live with that.
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Just curious, someone else said the power suppoly could now be faulty and causing the problems. Anyone think the PSU could be at fault here?
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