Noob here,

600athlon, asus k7 mb, 256sdram, purchased at a pc show. About 14 months after purchase (2 months after warranty) system starts acting up. Vendor tells me my MB was on the way out and I should back up my data and, basically, have a nice day. Now it's almost 2 years old, and here's my situation:

After powering off (win98B), I have to wait about 10 hours before it'll come back on. Otherwise, I just push the power button and nothing happens. After enough time goes by, it comes on. If the power is disconnected from the wall, it's even longer.

Two days ago it took almost 24 hours for it to go back on. Once it's running, I can surf, play games, run all programs, burn cd's, etc. everything works fine. It's just that once I shut it off, I'll never know when (or lately if) it'll turn on again. It's been running now for 2 days.

My Asus probe shows my -5volts reading at -5.667, beyond tolerance(?). Does this sound like a bad board? Any advice on what I might try to fix it? I searched on both Asus and voltage but haven't seen a problem quite like this posted. I was hoping to get another year out of it before upgrading.

Thanks for your help.

chaz01

Chaz01

[This message has been edited by chaz01 (edited 01-23-2002).]

Hi Chaz,

My opinion is that your board is indeed bad/going bad. Notherboards are generally not worth trying to fix as replacements are so cheap. Check out www.pricewatch.com (http://www.pricewatch.com) to find a low price on a new or refurbished board. Just be sure that your new board will accept your old CPU http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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CCNA, CIW, iNet+, Network+, A+, RCE

I would also suspect a power supply problem....

What are the readings for the other voltages?

Most should be within 10% (some even lower like 5%) of the nominal voltage, also if you are handy with a multi-meter check the voltages at the main connector...the black is ground, and the other colors are the other voltages...just check them and compare to what the Asus probe readings are, the two should be pretty close. If you get readings like that -5V reading at the connector then the problem is not the motherboard but the power supply because the voltage is wrong before it gets to the circutry of the motherboard.....

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

Hello chaz01,

Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif Forums!

Have a couple of questions regarding your nothing happens problem:

Does the fan on your Power supply come on when you press the start button?

Do your processor or chipset fans come on when you attempt to power up?

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

FirSt off, thanx for the responses. A friend recommended this site and it sure is full of information.

I'm not handy with meters or anything, but the Asus probe says all the other readings are within 10%, some well within.

Nothing happens when it wont come on, no fan. When it does come on, everything runs, including fan. There is only fan. should there be two?

Not sure how confident I'd be at replacing the mobo. Also, the vendoe said that the chip wouldn't fit in the new board due to its shape. The old board is a Asus k7M slot A.

thanks again
chaz01

[This message has been edited by chaz01 (edited 01-23-2002).]

If the fan does not start when the machine is turned on I would think it's more likely to be a power supply problem than motherboard. If you are not good with a multimeter take it to a computer shop and have them check the power supply out, chances are a capacitor or tansformer is overheating and requires considerable cool down time.

One fan is often sufficient, but that depends on several variables. The CPU speed, number and type of hardware components, physical location of the computer, ventilation and airflow inside the case...

If it's in a room that tends to be warm and the ribbon cables are stuffed in front of the power supply vents, a video card that tends to also run hot is installed, and more than one hard drive and CD ROM, I would think a secondary case fan would be a very good thing.

If you only have one hard drive and CD ROM, cables are out of the way, room is fairly cool, airflow is not impeded, it has a good CPU fan and the case has plenty airvents, a secondary fan might not be a necessesity. It depends on the machine. I always prefer a secondary case fan, but it is not always necessary.

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Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.dreamwater.com/paleopete/computer.htm) has been moved, please update your bookmarks.

Thanks Pete,

I just got in from talking to a local repair guy who said he thought it sounded like a power supply problem too. I'm taking it in this weekend for him to check it and will post results for those having similar issues.

Thanks to all replies. I had my power supply replaced today (from 250 to 300 watt) and all specs are tighter, the fan is running at a higher rate, the operating temp of the board has dropped 10 degrees F and it's running like new. the -5volt is currently at -4.92

It's not the best machine out there, but I have a 32meg graphic card, CDRW, DVD, sound card, 10/100, and it does everything I need.

By the way, there is a fan over the chip as well as the power supply.

You guys saved me about $900 that I don't really have right now.

I am extremely greatful.

My next thread will be "installing a new mobo and chip" but not for a while. Thanks again.

Chaz01

Chaz01

chaz01,

Thanks for posting back with your results.... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

Your success is also our reward! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman