computer idiot question

[neomastino]

first off you have a very informative board here. it has been very helpful. My question is, recently i have been having problems with my desktop system and i took it into microcache in houston to have them repair it. they stated that because my "cooling fan" was bad it fried my motherboard and that the total cost to repair and replace will be about $400. I think this is a bit excessive and am thinking of doing it myself, but being a complete hardware idiot i need to know where to start. Can you guys/gals recommend some books that are easy to follow that i could pick up. Barring doing it myself, can anyone recommend any places in the houston/galveston area that i could take it to have it done that is more reasonable?

Thanks,
Mike

[Budfred]

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

Given that you can buy a new computer for that price, it seems a bit excessive to me as well. To fix it yourself, you would need to install a motherboard, CPU, heatsink with fan and connect all of your other stuff up. Depending on what you want to have, you can do a decent system for about $150. Having somebody else do it for you is probably going to cost at least another $150 in labor, so you are probably better off building it yourself or buying a new prefab system and moving some of your components to it. If you decide to build, you can get a lot of help here.

Also, if your old computer is under warranty, a failed CPU fan is probably grounds for some kind of adjustment or replacement.

Budfred

[Jason1971]

Hello neomastino, I good book to smart with is "Upgrading & Fixing PCs for Dummies" This book will help get your feet wet. Plus it's easy to read. Be sure and get the latest edition. Also $400 is too much money to "repair" your computer.. What kind of problems were you having that made you take your system into be fixed?

[gwallen4]

Mike,

Please post your system specs (motherboard type, CPU, memory).

I assume you're talking about the CPU heatsink/fan here - the one mounted on top of the CPU. When that fan doesn't operate, the CPU will overheat and die. Sometimes it will take the motherboard with it, sometimes not. All that may be required in your case is a CPU. Microcache may have tested your system with a new CPU but they probably didn't. You could ask them.

Anyway, I would start by replacing the CPU and the heatsink/fan. If the computer still won't work, then you may also have to replace the motherboard.

[BigBlue66]

I agree that it's most likely just the CPU that's fried.

It's very possible that the computer repair place was going to take you for a ride. In that, they would have replaced the CPU and HSF, but left the same motherboard in there, assuming that you wouldn't lift the hood to check or knew what you're were checking for in the first place.

As requested, please post your system specs, that is, motherboard brand and specs, CPU, case, cooling fans in place, brand and type of HSF (Heatsink/Fan) and any other tidbits that you might think helpful.

[deddard]

Sounds like BS to me. Got to agree with everyone else here - it may be your CPU that's damaged, but your Motherboard? it's unlikely. either way, the $400 is too much. Make sure you post your PC specs here, and also tell us:
Does the computer work at all?
If not, what happened last time it worked - did it boot up, or did it die during the boot-up process?
Did it beep at you? Computers have a 'beep' code which can help solve problems, if you know how to read them.
If it does work, does it keep working at all? how long for.