bad motherboard or ram?

Question

i have a motherboard that isent in use that is more powerful then my other machines i got running right now. Due to the fact it wont boot up i wont use it. I was told by a friend of mine that it could possibly be a bad ram modual and that is the reason it isent booting up or even posting. I have my doubts that that is the reason for it not wanting to work for me but i could be wrong... or am i right assuming it is the motherboard itself that is fried... it still gets power and is able to show status lights like the ram LED and the HDD LED but it just wont post for me... any answers would be great!

Answer 1

If you have s small click sound it is your ram, remover the rams from their slot, reinstall them properly
if it is just dead then it is the mother board
But i am sure 99% it is a ram problem

Answer 2

how many sticks of RAM? If two... start by taking one out... will the system boot? If no, that that stick out and put the other in? Boot yes/no? if no take stcik 1 put in slot 2. Boots? if not stick 2 in slot 1? Boots? if no after all that... put out memory, expansion video and audio if any, unplug data and power cables to HDD and Optical drives.. try to boot? yes? No? Do u get ANY error messages? U could be looking at a bad power supply even.

Answer 3

Try the bare minimum set up. NO FDD, HDD, CD/DVD, just 1 stick RAM and only integrated graphics if possible. Reseat cpu fan connector, 20 or 24pin ATX and 12V ATX connectors. You should be able to POST and open BIOS menu. If not, the motherboard could be defective.

Answer 4

the previous two answers are a good idea but before pulling ram disconnect all leads power etc place your free hand on computer case too earth yourself leave hand on computer while you pull ram to avoid any form of frying something or just by a special earth strap thingy do the same while installing ram