Replacing Motherboard

by mrdave100 Feb 12, 2010 10:57AM PST

Hi,
I've got a 5 year old HP Desktop Pavilion. Windows crashed a year ago, so it's been on the shelf. I was going to load Linux onto it today and when I turned it on, the fans spin, the cd rom light is on, and the mouse blinks, but nothing else happens. I can't even access BIOS. Could the motherboard be fried? If so, can I replace the motherboard and cpu with anything on the market or could there be conflicts with other hardware on my machine.

Discussion is locked

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I'd reseat CPU and RAM and change

by Steven Haninger Feb 12, 2010 6:36PM PST

the MB CMOS battery. Don't forget new heat sink compound. All over these forums are posts warning about bad capacitors. These are the small can shaped components scattered on the board and mostly standing vertically. Check the tops for bulges and evidence of leaks. If you find this, your MB is likely not economically repairable.

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Okay

by mrdave100 Feb 12, 2010 9:46PM PST

Okay Steve, I reseated the cpu and didn't see bad capacitors. I took out the cmos battery. It's one of those CR2032 batteries. I replaced it, powered it up, the computer beeped once but I forgot to connect the monitor cable(argh). Shut it down, reconnected cable, powered it up, no beep, nothing. The computer is in the same state as before. Any thoughts? Can I take it to Best Buy for a hardware check or something?

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Ok, you did say Windows crashed so I'd have to wonder

by Steven Haninger Feb 13, 2010 8:37PM PST

just what happened, what (if any) attempt was made to repair such, and what the verdict was that relegated the PC to the shelf.

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working

by mrdave100 Feb 14, 2010 1:12AM PST

I left it plugged in yesterday and attempted to boot it later. It booted up and is now working. *shrug*

Thanks everyone.

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(NT) Good to hear and Thanks for providing the outcome.

by VAPCMD Feb 14, 2010 2:15AM PST

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I remember something from long ago

by Steven Haninger Feb 14, 2010 9:03PM PST

about electrolytic capacitors that hadn't had power applied for a long time. They'd need to be "re-formed". While the reason and the process for doing this has escaped me, I recall that some circuits didn't work properly until the caps had gone through this. I doubt it's relevant in your case as technology should have eliminated this need by now. But, perhaps, it's one of many bizarre explanations that could cause the sudden healing. Hope it stays that way. Thanks for the feedback.

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Any external USB HDDs still connected ? If yes,

by VAPCMD Feb 13, 2010 12:31AM PST

disconnect same and try to start.

VAPCMD

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No,

by mrdave100 Feb 13, 2010 5:45AM PST

the only external devices connected are monitor and keyboard.

Replacing Motherboard

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