On 05/19/2011 10:06 PM, Kolya Matteo wrote: > Hello all, > My computer currently won't boot, and I think the problem is either > the cpu or the motherboard. Unfortunately, I can't tell which. I'm > wondering if anyone has an Athlon II, Phenom II, or Sempron which I > could borrow; or if anyone has a known-working system with a Socket > AM3 motherboard, in which I could try my cpu. > > In the former case, I could pick it up and return your CPU, or you can > drop by my apartment and I'll test while you wait. In the latter > case, I could come by to test my CPU in your system anytime that's > convenient. I get around by MBTA, so I'd prefer not to carry my whole > desktop somewhere to plug a CPU in, but that's an option if nothing > else works. > > I should point out that it is possible to have a CPU that kills > motherboards or vice versa, but since my machine was working fine, > then froze in use, then never booted again, and there weren't any > electrically traumatic events, I don't think that's the case here. > > Feel free to reply off-list. I'd also appreciate any suggestions of > alternate methods to diagnose the CPU vs. motherboard problem. > > Details: The computer (Athlon II X3 450 in a Gigabyte MA770T-UD3 > motherboard) was working fine, running Debian. It ran overnight with > no problems; I was actively using it (selecting packages in aptitude) > when it froze. I left it, probably an hour, with no change; no > response to keyboard (including leds), no response over the network. > I finally turned it off. Ever since then, turning it on spins up the > fans, lights the power led, but nothing is on the screen; and I can > tell Debian doesn't boot "blind" because the keyboard doesn't light > up. It doesn't seem to POST (unfortunately, there's no speaker in the > case or on the motherboard.) I removed all non-essential hardware, > with no effect. I tried a different power supply, with no effect. I > tried each of the two sticks of ram individually, and moved them > around, with no effect. I consider it unlikely that both sticks > failed simultaneously with no apparent cause (it passed memtest86+ > previously.) I don't think CPUs kill mother boards. It sounds like a power supply but I see you have covered that base. You could test the power supply if you have a voltmeter. While it is better to test power supplies with loads, you can test them out of circuit. Here is some instructions: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/f/powersupplytest.htm Have you tried to boot a CD? It is possible that one of your disk cables is bad or loose. That also can cause issues.
-- Jerry Feldman <[email protected]> Boston Linux and Unix PGP key id: 537C5846 PGP Key fingerprint: 3D1B 8377 A3C0 A5F2 ECBB CA3B 4607 4319 537C 5846
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