RAM or Motherboard broken

[Jetse Jacobi]

Hello everyone,

I bought some new components for my computer but now my computer does not start anymore, even when placing everything back as previously. So probably I broke the motherboard or RAM.

When starting the computer without anything attached except the CPU, all fans start rotating. No beeps or anything.
When adding a single RAM stick (tried both sticks separately in every slot), i hear 5 beeps which means a process failure.

I did not touch the CPU, so I expect this one is still working. I have tried 2 power supplies (450W corsair, old and 550W Seasonic, new), The old one worked fine till I plugged the new one in (this is the part where it went wrong). RAM was still working before I installed the new PSU.
I followed this guide without success, In the end they say: Bad motherboard, CPU, RAM, or power supply. Now I want to know which part is broken, or what I might have done wrong in the process, and yes, I checked this guide.

 

[i7Baby]

Go through Tom's checklist - http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-post-boot-video-problems

If you've done that then what 12v, 5v and 3.3v readings did you get with your power supply? (Step 23)

Double check you reconnected everything including BOTH power supply connectors to the motherboard.

Post your complete and detailed build.

 

[mbarnes86]

Hi


I presume you have done the paperclip test on the new PSU (a genuine Seasonic is usually a very reliable make)
Have you reset the cmos using the correct jumper ?

Without spare parts & PC's you need help from a profesional or someone prepared to lend you a PC which supports the same RAM modules (DDR, DDr-2 or DDR-3) and CPU socket as you currently have.

With a second compatible PC you can find out if problem is the motherboard or cpu or PSU or RAM

What new components did you buy (apart from PSU)?

Depending on age of the PC a completely new PC base unit or motherboard and CPU & RAM may be the best option or if a recent system (last 2 or 3 years) try & fix the problem.

regards
Mike Barnes

 

[Jetse Jacobi]

I know for sure one of my PSU's is working. Both, the old Corsair and new seasonic do not work...

I did a reset the CMOS using the jumper, also resetted once by removing the CMOS battery.

I did try with some other RAM modules, but also no success... Don't have spare parts for CPU or motherboard...

The other new parts a bought were the Corsair Vengeance (CML8GX3M2A1600C9, 2x4GB DDR3) instead of Corsair CMV4GX3M2A1333C9 (2x2GB DDR3).

My build is now 1.5 years old and consists of:
- ASROCK FM2A75 PRO4-M
- AMD Athlon II X4 750k
- Samsung 120GB SSD
- Corsair Vengeance (2x4GB DDR3)
- Corsair CX430M
- Cooler master Force 500
- Sapphire Radeon HD 7850 1GB GDDR5

The new PSU
- Seasonic G-550

I don't understand the part:

If you've done that then what 12v, 5v and 3.3v readings did you get with your power supply? (Step 23)

The guide only has 14 steps...

 

[mbarnes86]

Hi


http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-post-boot-video-problems
step 23 is rather long

If you suspect the PSU is causing your problems, below are some suggestions by jsc for troubleshooting the PSU. Proceed with caution. I will not be held responsible if you get shocked or fry components.

"The best way to check the PSU is to swap it with a known good PSU of similar capacity. Brand new, out of the box, untested does not count as a known good PSU. PSU's, like all components, can be DOA.

Next best thing is to get (or borrow) a digital multimeter and check the PSU.

Yellow wires should be 12 volts. Red wires: +5 volts, orange wires: +3.3 volts, blue wire : -12 volts, violet wire: 5 volts always on. Tolerances are +/- 5% except for the -12 volts which is +/- 10%.

The gray wire is really important. It should go from 0 to +5 volts when you turn the PSU on with the case switch. CPU needs this signal to boot.

You can turn on the PSU by completely disconnecting the PSU and using a paperclip or jumper wire to short the green wire to one of the neighboring black wires.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FWXgQSokF4&feature=yout...

This checks the PSU under no load conditions, so it is not completely reliable. But if it can not pass this, it is dead. Then repeat the checks with the PSU plugged into the computer to put a load on the PSU. You can carefully probe the pins from the back of the main power connector."

-----------------


regards

Mike Barnes

 

[Jetse Jacobi]

I don't know what's going on with my computer, but I have my old build working again...

When directly testing with a full build, my old build was working again, while with only a single stick of RAM my old build also gave a process error (so I probably removed too many items)... Creating my full build with the old PSU does result in a short turn on of all fans, then all fans stop spinning but the power button keeps burning. Does anyone know what's going on?
Testing my PSU is somewhat too dangerous for me, I have no experience in electronics at all...

 

[i7Baby]

I think you need help. Got a mate who can help? Maybe take it to a PC shop.