Is this a bad motherboard? Fans and HDs turn on but computer does not boot...?

Question

Hello there,

My computer has been running brilliantly for a while now. Last week however, I turned it on and it came up with a problem saying to "ensure that the power to the graphics card is connected".

I did just this and it was connected and continued to not work. Then... I took the fan off the processor (suspecting this as the problem) and then made sure everything was ok with it. After doing this, the computer then booted as per normal. I found this weird but ignored it...

Then yesterday, I tried to turn it on but it wouldnt boot. Everything turned on inside (fans, HDs etc) but nothing on the screen.

I suspected the CPU again and bought a new one... to no avail.
Then I changed the video card with another and still nothing...

Is this the case of a cracked or dud motherboard??
The green light is still on the motherboard however, when I try to turn it on.

I have tried taking out the RAM and HDs one by one but still nothing...

Any help is appreciated.

In response to some of the answers so far,

I suspect the MB for more reasons than the PSU.

One time when I took the computer to uni, it "bounced" and the fan completely ripped out taking the CPU with it.

I think there is more of a chance that the socket the processor sits in or the MB cracked rather than a problem with the PSU.

Saying that, the PSU is only 350W.

The replacement MB cost me £55, and a 500W PSU would cost me just a little less.

As I suspect the MB more, I will try this first and get back to you.

Thanks to everyone who replied so quickly.

In response to Danlow,

The HDs are on but they dont sound "right".

They generally make a noise and then a higher pitched one once it boots, but the second noise isnt coming at all, so I think there is a problem with it booting, rather than just the display.

Answer 1

The key NOTE here is you said your computer said "ensure that the power to the graphics card is connected"

This either means your graphics card is bad, not getting power, or the section of the motherboard which the graphics card plugs into, is bad...

Sounds like you might just have some conflicting hardware... Usually if the motherboard is fried, nothing will work on it at all...

I would try the following...

#1 Make sure your power supply can handle the watts of all items connected. (These days usually nothing less than a 400 or 500 watt will run your stuff).

#2 Make sure you have the graphics card properly installed, the very first message you showed was related to an issue with the graphics card.

#3 Try replacing the graphics card, and making sure all POWER connectors from your power supply are properly installed.

After that... Id say it might be the motherboard... but the motherboard sounds fine, it just sounds like theres a problem with the display not showing you what the computer is doing... so you think it isnt working...

Answer 2

I suspect your Power Supply Unit (PSU) either has some bad connectors, or is not powerful enough, or is going bad.

Did you recently add components? Maybe you need more watts in your PSU.

Did you have a lightening storm lately? Do you use a UPS or Surge Arrestor between the wall and your PC? Surges can kill a PSU over time.

Try swapping to a different molex connector for your vid card. You may have overloaded a particular bundle of connectors by using splitters, or having too many devices on that chain.

Make sure your P1 power connector is secure in your motherboard. It is the main (rectangular) connector from the power supply to the motherboard.

Never remove the CPU fan, or its ability to function. Overheating will ruin your CPU in a matter of seconds.

Nothing on the screen? does this mean no POST? No logo? Just black screen? Try using onboard video (if available) or a PCI video card (not PCI-e). It could be that your PCI-e or AGP connector is bad, and yes a new motherboard is needed.

Answer 3

Either the power supply or motherboard.

You might try replacing the power supply first, it would be a less expensive test. I just replaced the power supply in a system that could have been either motherboard or power supply. The power supply was the problem, it cost $29 including shipping for the new PS.

Answer 4

The power supply provides both 5v for circuits and 12v for fans and motors etc. Sounds like 5v power failure.

This could be either the power supply or a motherboard failure.

That's all that's left for you to try. (check power connection to Main board before anything else)

Answer 5

You probably won't like this answer but I think you should consult a professional. By your own admission you have not been good at identifying the cause of your problems and have got it wrong once. A professional should be able to test the components individually and find out which one is faulty.

Answer 6

when you removed the RAM from the motherboard and the booted it up did it make a beeping noise and if it did then you have a good motherboard but if you removed the RAM and everything came on but you heard no beeping noises then yes you have a bad motherboard so try that again and listen to make sure you hear beeping noises

Answer 7

Sounds like bad mobo to me boss. You pretty much nailed it down pretty good with all that trouble shootin