Um, after I bought this nice little P4 notebook, I forgot all about my trusty old Dell Optiplex P3 with a big fat hard drive and a ton of RAM. It sat in the closet for a couple years. I've recently been introduced to the world of MIDI sequencing (I'm a reformed professional musician who's logged many hours in profesional analog studios in the late 70s and 80s), and want to have a go at recording on my own using my MIDI keyboard (Yamaha YDP) and some of the incredible music sequencing software out there. No more need for drunken drummers, spaced-out guitarists, and overbearing producers. So I dug the old girl out of the closet, connected her to my MIDI piano, and got......"motherboard failure" on the screen. Sounds rather draconian but it may be a term-of-art I am not familiar with. If anybody out there knows which buttons I should push or screws I should turn to make the 'puter be a bit more specific as to the nature of its dysfunction (and requisite remedial steps) I shall be forever in you debt. I remain yr mst hmble & obdnt srvnt, Avalonevermore@yahoo.com.

I see the word "P3" - Pentium 3 ?

High end audio hardware requires high end spec hardware ( Ram , CPU , SD Cards , etc ) . No matter how large a HD or how much RAM , if it's not up to the job somethings gonna blow .

Does the optiplex still boot into the OS unattached to the MIDI ? If so do the following :

Right click > My Computer > Manage > Event Viewer

The drop down listing will allow you to view any errors due to system , applications , etc . This will eliminate a variety of possibles . As with most applications , be they games , system apps , etc there is always a minimum system requirement . I don't know what sound apps you're using but it sounds as if the optiplex just doesn't have the oooomph to be able to cope . Bit like trying to plug in a full 100 MWatt sound system into a household plug socket , the circuits will blow .

If you can boot into the optiplex OS check the specs of any hardware installed -

Right click > My Computer > Properties ( gives basic information on CPU and RAM installed )

If you can still boot the optiplex into the OS you've not blown any essential components . Check the minimum system specs on any software you're using

Make sure the OS has all service packs . The BIOS can be flashed ( updated ) from the manufacturers website ( make sure to follow all instructions specific to the motherboard you'll be upgrading - most manufacturers have disclaimers as an unsuccessful BIOS flash can render the pc obscelete ) . In updating the BIOS all onboard drivers will have the capacity to update if avaliable updates are on the manufacturers website .