Device fails to boot or spin up due to old motherboard issue.
Device fails to boot or spin up due to old motherboard issue.
I received an old motherboard from my grandmother's and attempted to upload it a month ago, but it didn’t post. Previously, it had some issues too—like no sound output. When I mentioned it wouldn’t post, it was fixed by a timed power-up. After that, it stopped working again because a small capacitor near the RAM fell off. I soldered it back in place, but it came loose once more. I managed to reconnect the two pads and it worked temporarily. Now, when the computer is powered on, the power indicator lights up without any fan spin or posting. Before that, it at least started, though the chipset was getting warm. I also tried using DDR2 instead of DDR3, but it didn’t make a difference. There appears to be some significant and minor damage on the board, which is visible in the attached photos. Damage details: there’s some wear near the Ethernet controller, a cap near the RAM that fell off, and a slightly leaking capacitor close to the ATX 24PIN (the leftmost one in the image). This seems likely to be causing the problem. The board looks bent from the top. Specific specs: N68C-S UCC Revision 1.04 (latest BIOS), Athlon x2 II 260 (or similar in the 2xx series), 4GB DDR3 RAM, four external GPUs that I can test. Two 350W PSUs are working fine. I’m aware this could be a dead CPU, but given the board damage and prior success, I suspect it’s a faulty motherboard. I don’t have any special tools, so I’m not sure what else to do. I’ll send more photos if needed. Cheers from the Czech Republic, Steven
Do you have an alternative power source to test with? Consider re-seating the processor and memory. I've noticed dead or failing clock batteries can prevent a POST, so a replacement might help. (CR2032s are common—get one from the dollar store.) The CE32 appears to be completely unpopulated. If a cap was removed, you'd likely see a fragment of its leg or a solder hole on the opposite side. This shouldn't be an issue; it might simply mean the chip is dead. I recall hearing about unstable nVidia chipsets in the mid-2000s, though I don't have exact details.
If it hadn't been used recently, just perform a thorough cleaning. Remove all heatsinks. Shorten the clear CMOS and power button for a couple of minutes to discharge the board. Rinse with water, ensuring everything is fully cleaned. Submerge in a bucket of water for about an hour or two. Drain excess water, then let it dry completely—about a day depending on the climate. A PC debug card will be extremely useful for troubleshooting, as it provides diagnostic codes and is often sold as a PC analyzer.
Thank you for the feedback. I plan to work on it later this week. I’ll also check the PCI card details you mentioned. Here’s the link: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000092078217.html Updated February 10, 2024 by SonicPlayrite