So I was playing a game on my computer when all of a sudden, it completely shuts off. I tried to turn it back on which it did for a few seconds then would die. I waited the next morning and tried to turn it on again when I heard a loud "pop" noise. So now whenever I turn my computer on, the fan inside is working, the processor fan is working, but there is nothing on the screen and it just seems like my computer is dead.

I thought it had something to do with my video card so I replaced it with my old one and got the same results.

I'm thinking that it is my motherboard and that I blew something. I don't know whether or not to replace my motherboard or just rebuild a totally new computer.

I don't know the specs on my motherboard but i do know the following:

Processor: Intel 3.0Ghz
Video Card: Radeon x1600 PRO 512 MB AGP
RAM: 512 DDR PC3200


Someone please help me
Thanks in advance

Scott

I would look at the power supply. Actually, I would stick my nose in the back of it and see if it smells of burnt electronics. If you have another supply, you could try that. There's nothing better than a good meter in the hands of a qualified technician, short of that, I recommend a FrozenCPU Ultimate PSU Tester.

I would also inspect the motherboard carefully for burnt components. Inspect for leaky capacitors - they look like tall soda cans, many of which surround the CPU socket. They should not be bulging, or have any white to dark brown dried foam leaking out the tops or bottoms.

i don't think its my power supply

i see the video card fan working, and 2 power supply fan working

would you guys recommend me to get an old motherboard or just upgrade to a PCI one?

thanks

Why don't you think it is the power supply? Just because the fans are working does not mean the supply is good. That only means you have 12V. There are still 5V and 3.3V that must be good too. You need to eliminate the PSU from the equation before deciding if you need a new board - the checker will do that for you, or swap in a known good supply, or take your supply to a shop and let them test it for you. You don't have to get the fancy (expensive) tester I mentioned before. There are several from Newegg or CompUSA that are less expensive, though not as good or informative, are still better than not testing at all. You don't want to use a questionable PSU on your new board. Bad PSUs can, and some times do, take out everything plugged into them. Not good.

As for getting a new old motherboard or upgrading to newer technology, that depends on your budget. If budget allows, definitely go for near cutting edge technology. That will carry you much further into the future than another AGP board, and will be cheaper in the long run. But of course that will mean you will not be able to use that nice ATI board you have now, and it will likely mean a newer CPU, RAM, and maybe a new PSU anyway.

But again, you really must eliminate the PSU as the problem first.

so i just got my computer back from a local computer store near my house

They say that its my motherboard is broken and want me to pay 87$ for the motherboard and 85$ for the labor

172$ total for an older intel motherboard? Does that sound expensive? Any advice in getting a motherboard that supports AGP, PC3200 RAM, and a 3.0ghz Intel processor?

or

should I just sell my parts on my computer and start from scratch again?

Thanks in advance
Scott

Howzit,

IF I where U then I think its start to start from scratch...

.. Good Luck

Cheers

$85 labor to replace a motherboard is not unreasonable. It is not a 5 minute job, nor is it just a matter of simply pulling the old and installing the new. Unless it is an exact replacement, including revision numbers, it is probable several of the hardware components on the new board will be different, requiring installation of new drivers. This alone is often all that is needed to cause the Windows installation on your existing hard drive to think it is being installed on a new computer, and force the installer to re-authenticate - and sometimes even re-install Windows, and your other applications. Not to mention the CPU and heat sink fan assembly will have to be pulled, cleaned up, and remounted with new thermal interface material.

As far as getting a replacement board that will use your existing CPU, we would need to know the exact model of that CPU - at least the socket type.

Do note that older hardware can easily cost more than new hardware since it is no longer in production, and not in great supply.

My advice from above still stands. If your budget allows, go for newer technology.