HELP please - motherboard problem, doesn't power HD, no boot, etc.

[Gigi]

Hi, I have a PC system with Asus P4S533-MX motherboard. All was working
fine but recently I took my computer out to the shop (in very cold
weather, if it's of any significance), and when I came back and tried
to turn it on I got the following situation:

1. Motherboard powers on (the motherboard light is on), ATI graphic
card, Intel CPU fan power on.
2. HD doesn't power on, however when I disconnect the IDE cable from
the motherboard, suddenly the HD does power on.
3. Monitor stays blank.
4. I could never properly connect the PC speaker, so unfortunately I
can't report what sound it makes (if any).
5. The computer won't shut down when I keep pressing the Power button.
This button did work before things turned bad.

I tried to reset the BIOS, re-install the battery and so on, but to no
avail.

Does anyone have any idea how to fix this? I'll be glad to give more
information if necessary. Help will be greatly appreciated.. please
reply to the group or directly to my email.

Thanks for your help!
Gigi

 

[Arno Wagner]

Hi, I have a PC system with Asus P4S533-MX motherboard. All was working
fine but recently I took my computer out to the shop (in very cold
weather, if it's of any significance), and when I came back and tried
to turn it on I got the following situation:

1. Motherboard powers on (the motherboard light is on), ATI graphic
card, Intel CPU fan power on.
2. HD doesn't power on, however when I disconnect the IDE cable from
the motherboard, suddenly the HD does power on.
3. Monitor stays blank.
4. I could never properly connect the PC speaker, so unfortunately I
can't report what sound it makes (if any).
5. The computer won't shut down when I keep pressing the Power button.
This button did work before things turned bad.

I tried to reset the BIOS, re-install the battery and so on, but to no
avail.

Does anyone have any idea how to fix this? I'll be glad to give more
information if necessary. Help will be greatly appreciated.. please
reply to the group or directly to my email.

Sounds dead to me. Maybe you managed to dislocate the power-cable to the
mainboard? It the RESET button stuck?

Arno

 

[Gigi]

Sorry I don't understand what you mean. I don't know if the reset
button is stuck because I can't get the computer to boot. But right now
only the Power button is plugged into the motherboard.. but things
didn't work when the reset was plugged in either.

 

[Arno Wagner]

Sorry I don't understand what you mean. I don't know if the reset
button is stuck because I can't get the computer to boot. But right now
only the Power button is plugged into the motherboard.. but things
didn't work when the reset was plugged in either.

O.k., so the reset button is not stuck. I was just looking for problems
that could cause the behaviour you describe. One is a permanent RESET
signal. The other is faulty power. A third one is some short-circuit.

Can you remove and re-plug the mainboard power connector from
the PSU? It is the thick bundle of wires with the 20 pin
connector.

The next step I would propose is to test with a different PSU. If
that does not help, remove the mainboard completely and look for
any mechanical damage or loose metallic parts that could cause
short-circuits.

If all that does not help, I advise you to get a new mainboard.

Arno

 

[paul]

Hi, I have a PC system with Asus P4S533-MX motherboard. All was working
fine but recently I took my computer out to the shop (in very cold
weather, if it's of any significance), and when I came back and tried
to turn it on I got the following situation:

1. Motherboard powers on (the motherboard light is on), ATI graphic
card, Intel CPU fan power on.
2. HD doesn't power on, however when I disconnect the IDE cable from
the motherboard, suddenly the HD does power on.
3. Monitor stays blank.
4. I could never properly connect the PC speaker, so unfortunately I
can't report what sound it makes (if any).
5. The computer won't shut down when I keep pressing the Power button.
This button did work before things turned bad.

I tried to reset the BIOS, re-install the battery and so on, but to no
avail.

Does anyone have any idea how to fix this? I'll be glad to give more
information if necessary. Help will be greatly appreciated.. please
reply to the group or directly to my email.

Thanks for your help!
Gigi

Sounds like a power supply problem. I had identical symptoms here.
Try replacing power supply first.
Be sure the replacement P/S has the highest current (amps) model available.
The P/S current rating can be more important that its 'wattage' rating.

 

[John Weiss]

Hi, I have a PC system with Asus P4S533-MX motherboard. All was working
fine but recently I took my computer out to the shop (in very cold
weather, if it's of any significance), and when I came back and tried
to turn it on I got the following situation:

1. Motherboard powers on (the motherboard light is on), ATI graphic
card, Intel CPU fan power on.
2. HD doesn't power on, however when I disconnect the IDE cable from
the motherboard, suddenly the HD does power on.
3. Monitor stays blank.

Could be as simple as a loose card or connector, or as bad as a fried MoBo or
power supply.

Start with the cheap stuff and reset every card and connector...

 

[Andy]

Hi, I have a PC system with Asus P4S533-MX motherboard. All was working
fine but recently I took my computer out to the shop (in very cold
weather, if it's of any significance), and when I came back and tried
to turn it on I got the following situation:

1. Motherboard powers on (the motherboard light is on), ATI graphic
card, Intel CPU fan power on.
2. HD doesn't power on, however when I disconnect the IDE cable from
the motherboard, suddenly the HD does power on.

One thing I would do is measure the voltage of PWR_OK at the 20-pin
ATX power supply connector on the motherboard. If it's stuck low (0
volt), it will prevent the CPU from starting up, and typically
prevents the hard drive from starting up, too.

 

[Gigi]

OK i'll check the thing with a new power supply and report my results!

Thanks all!! and keep them coming please..

Gigi

 

[JAD]

reseat everything, probably shook something loose

 

[sdlomi2]

Pay attention, 1st, to John Weiss and Jad! HTH, s

 

[Gigi]

well.. unfortunately the problem is not with the power supply nor with
the cmos battery. i can only attend the computer again on monday, and
then i'll try to check if it's the ram or the motherboard .. i guess
some money will have to be spent..