Question Can I still save my motherboard?

[slapping1631]

I got a 10-year-old PC from a buddy of mine which we suspected the motherboard is dead. He didn’t want to get a new one as he’s low on money, but he would still like to use it from time to time.

So after carefully researching the specs of his PC we decided to swap out the motherboard with a $20 used Asus H61M-E. The installation will be solely done by myself. I made sure to move all of the useable parts (ie CPU, stock CPU cooler fan, RAM, HDD) and made sure that all the cables are connected correctly.

Here’s where I messed up. I did not take a close look at the state of the CPU fan’s wires. The. Wires. Are. Frayed. I did not even realise that it can potentially cause a short-circuit to the board. On top of that the four of them just happen to be in direct contact with each other. Ignorant me just thought that everything looks good and set up. As I pressed the power button my mind is immediately filled with panic and regret as I noticed smoke appearing from somewhere near the CPU_FAN header. Yup, sure enough, I fried the board. Obviously I turned off the power supply in reaction to this.

Upon realising the dumb FU I did, I swapped out the stock cooler with another spare CPU cooler that I kept and tried turning it on again. Unfortunately I am greeted with a POST error, 1 long beep followed by 2 beeps. I tried looking up online and found that this beep on Asus motherboards indicate RAM issues, and so I swapped out the RAM with another working spare unit that I had with me. But nope, I’m still hearing the exact same POST beep.

I might be wrong about the whole POST indication, but at this point I am not sure how to continue the troubleshooting and diagnosis further anymore. Is there still any hope left in getting this old machine to boot to Windows? Or do I really have to spend more time and fork out another $20 again looking for a new board?

Parts​

• Motherboard: Asus H61M-E
• CPU: Intel Core i5-2310
• RAM (original): Kingmax DDR3-1333 2x2GB
• RAM (spare): Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600MHz 8GB
• HDD: Hitachi 5K750-500 500GB
• PSU: Corsair CX600M 600W

Photos​

Here's two photos of the part of the motherboard where the smoke came out, the burn mark is very noticeable. I'm not sure if this is affecting just the board's CPU fan connection, since the board is still able to perform POST. Please kindly advise.

 

[artk2219]

I got a 10-year-old PC from a buddy of mine which we suspected the motherboard is dead. He didn’t want to get a new one as he’s low on money, but he would still like to use it from time to time.

So after carefully researching the specs of his PC we decided to swap out the motherboard with a $20 used Asus H61M-E. The installation will be solely done by myself. I made sure to move all of the useable parts (ie CPU, stock CPU cooler fan, RAM, HDD) and made sure that all the cables are connected correctly.

Here’s where I messed up. I did not take a close look at the state of the CPU fan’s wires. The. Wires. Are. Frayed. I did not even realise that it can potentially cause a short-circuit to the board. On top of that the four of them just happen to be in direct contact with each other. Ignorant me just thought that everything looks good and set up. As I pressed the power button my mind is immediately filled with panic and regret as I noticed smoke appearing from somewhere near the CPU_FAN header. Yup, sure enough, I fried the board. Obviously I turned off the power supply in reaction to this.

Upon realising the dumb FU I did, I swapped out the stock cooler with another spare CPU cooler that I kept and tried turning it on again. Unfortunately I am greeted with a POST error, 1 long beep followed by 2 beeps. I tried looking up online and found that this beep on Asus motherboards indicate RAM issues, and so I swapped out the RAM with another working spare unit that I had with me. But nope, I’m still hearing the exact same POST beep.

I might be wrong about the whole POST indication, but at this point I am not sure how to continue the troubleshooting and diagnosis further anymore. Is there still any hope left in getting this old machine to boot to Windows? Or do I really have to spend more time and fork out another $20 again looking for a new board?

Parts​

• Motherboard: Asus H61M-E
• CPU: Intel Core i5-2310
• RAM (original): Kingmax DDR3-1333 2x2GB
• RAM (spare): Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600MHz 8GB
• HDD: Hitachi 5K750-500 500GB
• PSU: Corsair CX600M 600W

Photos​

Here's two photos of the part of the motherboard where the smoke came out, the burn mark is very noticeable. I'm not sure if this is affecting just the board's CPU fan connection, since the board is still able to perform POST. Please kindly advise.

Unfortunately your safest bet at this point is going to be to replace that board again. You may even have to replace other components, but you wont know for sure until you get a good working board to test it all with. Where did you get the board from, and where are you located?

 

[35below0]

Try another board. I'd say there's hope left. This stuff is old but not too ancient, and it's not likely everything was fried. Running Windows 10 would be more annoying than running 7 or Linux though, so i don't know if it's worth it from that perspective.

About the frayed wires, were they frayed in the old PC? Or did something happen when you reinstalled components?

 

[Satan-IR]

With that photo and what you described happened and generally anything involving electronics and 'smoke' in the same paragraph, unfortunately, I think the board is toast.

 

[slapping1631]

Unfortunately your safest bet at this point is going to be to replace that board again. You may even have to replace other components, but you wont know for sure until you get a good working board to test it all with. Where did you get the board from, and where are you located?

I see. I'm actually located in Singapore, got the motherboard online from a reliable merchant that sells used/refurbished electronics. I used to purchase few spare PC parts from the same merchant, I'd say they are pretty trustworthy as none of them came with any defects. Unfortunately the board I got from them is the last unit they have, so I might have to look elsewhere.

Try another board. I'd say there's hope left. This stuff is old but not too ancient, and it's not likely everything was fried. Running Windows 10 would be more annoying than running 7 or Linux though, so i don't know if it's worth it from that perspective.

About the frayed wires, were they frayed in the old PC? Or did something happen when you reinstalled components?

My current suspicion is that the wires were already frayed while still on the old board, it'd make sense if it was the same issue that killed the old board in the first place.

Well I guess that's one lesson learned for me to pay close attention to the wires and cables. Looks like we'll have to look for a new board and pray to myself that the PC can boot to Windows successfully.

 

[artk2219]

I see. I'm actually located in Singapore, got the motherboard online from a reliable merchant that sells used/refurbished electronics. I used to purchase few spare PC parts from the same merchant, I'd say they are pretty trustworthy as none of them came with any defects. Unfortunately the board I got from them is the last unit they have, so I might have to look elsewhere.


My current suspicion is that the wires were already frayed while still on the old board, it'd make sense if it was the same issue that killed the old board in the first place.

Well I guess that's one lesson learned for me to pay close attention to the wires and cables. Looks like we'll have to look for a new board and pray to myself that the PC can boot to Windows successfully.

Were you ever able to find a replacement?

 

[slapping1631]

Were you ever able to find a replacement?

Yes, shipment of the board is on its way. Fingers crossed it'll work this time.