[RESOLVED] What did I do?

[hercules]

OK, super techies, I managed to royally screw up my computer over the weekend. I was trying to add some more memory, and managed to put the memory stick in backwards (hence my name) In my defense, the power cables were in the way, and I could barely see the slot. When I turned the computer on after inserting the memory backwards, I got part of the startup screen, and after a few seconds, a smell like something was burning. I pulled the power cord out at that point.

Ok, so now my computer works for a few minutes, and then the monitor goes into vertical lines. Hitting the reset button does nothing. Holding the power switch does shut down the machine, however. I can then reboot the machine, and it works fine for a few more minutes. I took out the memory stick, and tried another one. Same problem.

What's the MOST likely problem? Power supply? CPU? Motherboard? Other?

Please help...

Hercules

P.S. I should add that I have an FIC SD11 motherboard and an AMD-700 Athlon, Full tower case with 300W power supply. 2 13GB hard drives, 1 DVD, 1 CD burner, 1 floppy.




[This message has been edited by hercules (edited December 04, 2000).]

[Eagle PC Diagnostech]

I would try a video card
If it does the same thing, try a PCI Video card, you might have fried a chip or an AGP slot.
Also look closely at all you chips on motherboard and your cards for blackened spots.

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An obstacle is something you see when you take your eyes off your goal.

[This message has been edited by Eagle PC Diagnostech (edited December 04, 2000).]

[hercules]

Originally posted by Eagle PC Diagnostech:
I would try a video card
If it does the same thing, try a PCI Video card, you might have fried a chip or an AGP slot.
Also look closely at all you chips on motherboard and your cards for blackened spots.

Eagle tech,

I took out the motherboard, and didn't see any blackened spots.

Since I don't have access to any spare parts, or even a good tech shop, I have to purchase replacement parts, some of which I could probably return (power supply for sure, maybe a video card) if they don't fix the problem. What do you think the order of replacement should be?

hercules

[Eagle PC Diagnostech]

Remove all other cards except the video and disconnect all drives
If it does work, connect each device one at a time until you find the culprit.
If it still won't boot try a different video card first.
then the next 3 options would be memory, motherboard, or CPU.
The power supply seems to be working as you have stated above

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An obstacle is something you see when you take your eyes off your goal.

[hercules]

Originally posted by Eagle PC Diagnostech:
Remove all other cards except the video and disconnect all drives
If it does work, connect each device one at a time until you find the culprit.
If it still won't boot try a different video card first.
then the next 3 options would be memory, motherboard, or CPU.
The power supply seems to be working as you have stated above

Eagle tech,
It does boot, but only stays running for a few minutes. I did try a 'new' memory stick, and the computer still went bonkers after a few minutes, so I don't believe it's the memory.

Why do you think its the video card? When the screen goes to vertical lines, hitting the reset switch does nothing - shouldn't that still work? (I'm just trying to understand your thought processes)

Thanks for the help.

hercules

[Eagle PC Diagnostech]

Because it seems like the video is working OK until it has to refresh to get into Windows, from what your explaining.
I figure that when it is starting up the video driver to it's full capicity of using all the memory on it,is when it's failing.
Then the chips don't refresh when you do a warm boot.
Hopefully I explained that right.

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An obstacle is something you see when you take your eyes off your goal.

[hercules]

Eagle tech,
Thanks for the explanation. I'm going to install the CPU and video card (one at a time, of course) in a friend's computer to see if the problem occurs there. I'll post the results.

Thanks again.

hercules

[3fingersalute]

I'd put my money on the motherboard

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Why do convenience stores that are open 24/7 have locks on the doors?

[Nighthand]

Originally posted by 3fingersalute:
I'd put my money on the motherboard

I tend to agree. I'm not sure if you are using SIMMs or DIMMs, but did you try different slots for the memory?

[pga]

Originally posted by Nighthand:
I tend to agree. I'm not sure if you are using SIMMs or DIMMs, but did you try different slots for the memory?

ditto.... if you're using different memory i am assumming that the mobo dimm sockets were probably fried.

[hercules]

Techies,
Tested the CPU and video card last night in a friend's system. Both worked flawlessly. Went out and bought an ASUS MB today, and will install tonight. Will post the results tomorrow.

[hercules]

Eagle tech, 3fingersalute, Nighthand and pga,
Thanks for the fine advice - I just changed out the motherboard (from an FIC SD11 to an ASUS K7M), and everything works again !!

Thanks again...

herc

[format c:]

Way to go hercules you got a better board, I am glad you got it fixed and only one component was toasted ( Poor mother board )
Dont feel bad I have almost put my memory in backwards but I realized my mistake when the dimm would not fit, at least I could see on my Asus p3v4x


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Format c I'm givin er all she's got cap'in !!! )

[NPaladin]

You know, that board might have been able to be fixed....the problem was either the 3v leads to the DIMM sockets or the North Bridge.

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Bryan Pizzuti
CompTIA A+, CNAP
[email protected]

[hercules]

NPaladin,
None of the leads seem to be burned to the DIMM slot. So, it's probably the North Bridge.

I did send an e-mail to FIC requesting warranty work, since the board is only a little over 6 months old. The place I bought it only had a 6 month warranty. Wouldn't ya know I'd screw it up AFTER the dealer warranty expired...

herc