Mobo or CPU problem?

[algodritmo]

Hi! At first, wanna say that i'm from Uruguay, so sorry for my english (even if someone wants to correct me by pm, are welcome ;) )

My PC:
Mother: Biostar M7VIG Pro D (<>Manual Link<> (ftp://ftp.biostar-usa.com/manuals/M7VIG%20PRO%20D/M7VIGPRODmanual.pdf) <>Bios Manual Link<> (ftp://ftp.biostar-usa.com/manuals/M7VIG%20PRO%20D/M7VIGPRODbios.pdf) )
Processor: AMD Duron 1600
Memory: DDR 256Mb PC2700 + DDR 128Mb PC100
Video card: Has an onboard on mobo, but has too an optional ATI Radeon 9200 Agp.
Power source: 350W, Biostar

My problem:
1º Computer starts to freeze randomly, after a few minutes of use. (Never crash inmediatly... always works for a few minutes)
Temperature of CPU: Checked, ok
Temperature of AGP: Checked, ok
Temperature of NorthBridge: Checked, ok
I have noted that the South Bridge was a bit overheated. Warm, but no hurts. ¿Any comments?

2º Format HD, new OS. Problem persist equal..

3º Agp ATI Radeon removed. (working with onboard). Problem persist equal.

4º Disconnect HD, CDROM. Problem Persist.

5º Swap memory modules. Checked one by one. Problem persist equal. (i don't have additional modules to test).

6º Clear CMOS by jumpers and removing battery too, several times. Problem persist equal. With a new battery: problem persist too.

7º Check with my power source: a 250W source, working fine on a PIV1.6Ghz
Computer starts, throw NOTE 1 error, enter setup, loaded CMOS defaults, enter setup, change nothing, reboot.
The pc boot, goes to "Updating ESCD" after post, and freeze there.
I press reset button, and the PC has gone... no post, no boot, nothing after that... :confused:
Fans working. No beeps at all.

8º Put his original power source again. Nothing but death. Idem situation than point 7.

9º Memory modules removed. No beeps at all.

:confused: WTF!!!... ¿what's the problem? ¿mobo? ¿cpu? ¿how to determine wich one has gone? ¿any additional testing procedure? :confused:


Note 1: From time to time, when the pc boots yet, an error at boot time appears: "CMOS checksum error, defaults loaded". After a key pressed, boots go on.

Note 2: The computer never has done "beeps", but the speaker works.

Note 3: After reading a lot on the forum, know about de caps problem. Search for them on the mobo... all caps seems to be normal.


THANKS !!!

[whosyerdaddy]

Your English is better than some English people I know!

Do you have any peripherals connected? Printers, Modems etc......


Also does it always halt at this point????


The pc boot, goes to "Updating ESCD" after post, and freeze there.
I press reset button, and the PC has gone... no post, no boot, nothing after that... :confused:
Fans working. No beeps at all.

[algodritmo]

Do you have any peripherals connected? Printers, Modems etc......
Nothing. No HD, no CDROM, no mouse, no modem, no printer, no lights, no additional fans, etc.

Also does it always halt at this point????
Only ONCE halt at "Updating ESCD". I have pressed the RESET button, and after that there is NO POST, NO SIGNAL ON MONITOR, NO BEEPS. (Fans working)
Two power source checked (mine and the original), no changes.

(I've explained that on point 7º off my description)

:confused:

[jlreich]

My hunch is the motherboard is bad. Probably the CMOS chip or the BIOS chip has gone bad. But the only way to tell for sure is to test the motherboard with a known good CPU, or the CPU on a known good motherboard.

You can try taking it to a local shop to get tested, but it may be difficult to find one that has a compatible CPU and/or motherboard to test them with. :( I would call around first before going to a shop.

You could try a known good stick of ram, but with no beeps coming from the mobo without any ram at all it isn't a good sign that will help.

[algodritmo]

My hunch is the motherboard is bad.
"Hunch" ???? It's like "guess" or something? (sorry... don't appears on my memory or in my dictionary :p )

You can try taking it to a local shop to get tested, but it may be difficult to find one that has a compatible CPU and/or motherboard to test them with. :( I would call around first before going to a shop.
Do you mean... for free?
I don't think so... in Uruguay, NOBODY will do it.
In Spain for example, people can cancel a bought component in the next 15 days, without any reason. Here in Uruguay, when you pay... you loose... no way to go back. :(

For that reason is that it's important to me to know if the problem is the mobo or the CPU.

Thanks !

[jlreich]

"Hunch" ???? It's like "guess" or something? An educated guess. From experience. Meaning it is most likely the motherboard. But like I said there is no way to tell for sure without testing it with known good parts.Do you mean... for free?
No not for free, unless you know someone that has compatible parts that will let you test your motherboard and CPU with them.

Most computer shops will test your components for a small charge, usually somewhere around $10 U.S.. But like I said it may be difficult to find a shop that will have parts to test your older parts with.

Sorry I can't tell you for certain which one is bad. There is just no way to tell for sure without testing them.

[algodritmo]

Additional question:
If i remove the CPU, and turn on the system... there are two options:
1 - Motherboard beeps: sign that CPU is bad, but mobo ok
2 - Motherboard NO beeps: sign that mobo is bad, but still ignore the cpu health.

I'm right or not?

[jlreich]

It won't turn on at all without a CPU. Since you did get it to turn on, even though it freezes, and the "updating ESCD", leads me to believe it is the motherboard. Like I said it sounds like the BIOS chip or CMOS chip has gone bad.

I understand you not wanting to put out the money until you know for certain what the problem is, but there is no way to know with a motherboard or CPU unless they are tested or one of the components are replaced.