What controls Ethernet capability and optical drives on a motherboard?

Question

I have an HP Pavilion 750c that made a funny noise, like an electrical 'pop' recently. The only 2 resulting problems is that no optical drives will work on the board, either internal OR connected by a USB cable (it doesn't matter which header is used, and a different ribbon cable didn't matter).

The other problem is that there is no network connectivity now. I can PING 127.0.0.1 and get a response from my onboard Ethernet controller, but that's it. I installed a PCI NIC and tried a known Ethernet cable, but no help at all.

So I know I have a problem, but I am interesting in knowing - What on the motherboard (chipset, etc.) actually controls these two functions? Also, if anyone has a good used MB for sale for this PC, send me an e-mail ;)

OK, maybe I'm not being clear... I KNOW the motherboard is bad, but what I'm asking is WHAT on the mother board actually controls these two functions I described, i.e. a chipset or single controller, etc. The motherboard and fried computer are not so much the issue - I'm looking for a detailed explanation of how these motherboard features actually work on an engineering level.

Answer 1

You need a new motherboard, most likely. It's definitely not worth messing with. Go to eBay and buy a new barebones system for $150 and move your drives into it and be done....

Answer 2

The popping noise your hearing is your power supply. Its shorting out. This could be the reason your devices are failing is due to a nuked MB. I would have it replaced asap. To be honest I wouldnt turn it on again untill doing so.

Also you may need to flash your BIOS using firmware downloaded from your motherboard manufacturers website. Failing this you should look into your CMOS settings to see whats enabled. To do this hold (depending on your MB) F1 or DEL on initial startup. Right after the system beeps its P.O.S.T. (pre-operating system test) sound you will get in. From here you will see configurable options for many system components, including the PCI, and USB bus.

The chipset that governs the PCI bus, and most 3rd party interfaces is the Southbridge chipset. The Northbridge handles the core components such as Video, Ram, etc.

Answer 3

Sounds like a bad mobo (motherboard). Those are usually easy to find for cheap, but they are a pain to install. In many cases, you'll also have to replace the cpu and memory while you're at it. If it's just the motherboard, It should be about $50 for a new one. You'll also need to get thermal grease for the CPU as you'll be taking the CPU fan off to get at the CPU (to move it to the new mobo).

Replacing the mobo will require you to unplug all of the cards and wires from the board. Remove the screws that attach the board to the case (usually six or eight). Put the new board in. Be very careful to note if you have to move the brass colored standoffs (the little hex shapped screw things behind the mobo) to match the screw holes on the new mobo because they don't always line up.

Replace all of the boards, cpu, memory, wires, etc.

If the CPU and memory are old, you may have to replace those as well and that can run as high as $300. This is still cheaper than buying a new computer. If you find a computer for less than the price of the repair, trust me, you don't want it. It is very difficult to 'total' a computer as practically all parts are interchangeable.

If you're local to the 91390, 91350, or 91355 zip codes in California, US, I can offer you my services to replace the mobo for you. $50 plus parts.