BIG Problem

[Paul]

Paul,
I did remove the heatsink/fan assy and checked the CPU for damage, etc; it
appeared OK. I then removed the CPU and reinserted it, using the ZIP locking
screw. I then replaced one of the 2 Gig DDR2 memory sticks, and applied
power and presssed the case power button. For the first time, I got a SINGLE
beep and saw the BIOS screen on the monitor. Unfortunately, it shutdown
after a few seconds. I repeated pressing the the case power button with the
same results: shutdown after a few seconds. Pressing DEL to enter BIOS setup
did no good; it shutdown too quickly. Since the processor was getting quite
warm, I stopped powering-up the mobo.

Later, I replaced the heatsink/fan assy and backplate. Then I repowered up
the mobo. It would not beep or display the BIOS screen on the monitor. I
removed the backplate (but keeping the the heatsink/fan assy on top of the
CPU) and powered-up the mobo; it again worked for a few seconds. After doing
this a few times, I noticed that the the heatsink/fan assy was getting quite
hot. It should be noted the fan NEVER rotated!

The quick shutdown probably occurred because the BIOS was set to shutdown on
specific detected error(s). (Shutdown Temperature exceeded, no drives
connected, etc.)

Although, I thought of spray painting the backplate and using it again, I am
considering getting a heatsink/fan assy that provides better cooling. (The
CPU got hot pretty quickly although it was not doing very much.).

Thanx for mentioning the Arctic Silver products. I will definitely need
them, now.

Since I will be ordering the Arctic Silver products, I might as well try to
find and then buy a more efficient heatsink/fan assy.

Marty

You're making some progress. Keep going.

Paul

 

[MN]

Mark,
I recently discovered that the 3-pin fan header on the mobo did not have
the documented pin assignments (sensor, +12v, Gnd) the same as the fan. I
looked at manuals from other mobos, as well as 3-pin fan connector
documentation, and this was indeed the case. The +12v and sensor pin
connections were reversed on the mobo. (It is hard to believe that this mobo
error exists since this mobo is version 3 of the design.) This incorrect
signal assignment on the mobo's fan header would explain why the fan would
not rotate at all when connected to the mobo. (I could rotate the fan by
hand, so I knew it was not mechanically stuck.)

I have removed the fan/heatsink from the mobo and I plan to cut the +12v and
sensor fan wires and reconnect them in crossover fashion before I replace
the fan/heatsink back onto the mobo. Before I do this, I will see if the fan
rotates at all when I apply an external voltage (a 9 volt battery is
convenient) to the +12v and Gnd pins.

-Marty

========================================================================

[snip]

Also, the CPU fan did NOT rotate nor were there any audible beep codes.

On my latest computer, the CPU fan would not turn. That problem turned
out to be purely mechanical (12V supply was OK). One of the thin
plastic parts of the fan housing (this was between the fan and
heatsink) was broken and interfering with the fan blades. If worked
fine after I straightened it out.

[snip]
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us

"Death is an experience best avoided, as it makes reliable internet
access difficult to obtain."