Computer's busted. Need simple advice.

taqdagger407

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Sep 5, 2011
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18,510
Hi, my computer stopped working recently. It randomly turned off one day in the middle of using it, and now doesn't even turn on or anything. I'm sure it's the motherboard that is not working, because I replaced the power supply with one that works, and it still didn't turn on. I just want to make sure that before I go and spend money on a new motherboard that it's really the problem. I thought that if the problem was the GPU, RAM, or CPU, the computer would still turn on to the bios, right? I also made sure to check that the pins are in the right place for the case's power button.

Thanks.
 
If there were some problem with the gpu ,ram ,or hdd then the post would give you a series of beeps and you could look in the mb manual to see what the beeps refer to. Try taking out the ram and video card and see if that would let it even turn on. It's always unusal dor something to just stop working with no indication of what it could be and your left guessing. If taking out those two things lets itn turn on then you have narrowed it down if not then it could in fact be the MB. As a last resort take out the cpu and try.
 

taqdagger407

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Sep 5, 2011
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18,510



Thanks! Yeah, there were no beeps. But I did forget to mention that several days before it broke, I got "CPU overheat" messages when I turned it on, Which is weird because I don't overclock. Maybe the fan was not on tight enough. Anyway, thanks. I tested it out without GPU, CPU and RAM, but still nothing. So I guess I'm getting a new MB. Hopefully the comparability issues with the ram will be easier than when the i5's first came out. I had to re-buy my memory twice, on my asus MB..
 

AdrianPerry

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for SandyBridge 1.5v RAM is recommended, 1.65v has been known to have compatibility issues and can damage the CPU.

When you get your new motherboard, make sure to properly clean off all thermal paste from the CPU cooler and the CPU. Re-apply using a small amount (plenty of guides and videos available if your unsure how to apply it) and then keep an eye on your temps. HWMonitor is a great piece of software for this.