Dead Motherboard

[nick6pcm]

Hello, I am new to this forum i was searching around on the internet since my motherboard died the other day. I have a gigabyte GA-8IPE775. My comptuer was running perfectly fine until the other night i plugged my mp3 player into my usb port on the computer. At the exact time i plugged it in my computer shut off and that was the end of it. It would not power back on. I switched power supplies, unplugged all the components attatched to the motherboard. I removed the cmos battery for a good hour. No matter what i did the motherboard still didn't have any power. I took the motherboard out to look at the capacitors. There was one bulging near the top of the mobo. I replaced it with a brand new one and there is still no power. I have a 480watt power supply that power a video card, 3 hard drives, and 2 dvd drives. Would this cause a short circuit or something along the lines of the motherboard being under too much stress? My question is would a bad capacitor just shut the computer completely down and not allow the motherboard to function?

[stevo1210]

Re: Dead Motherboard

Hello, I am new to this forum i was searching around on the internet since my motherboard died the other day. I have a gigabyte GA-8IPE775. My comptuer was running perfectly fine until the other night i plugged my mp3 player into my usb port on the computer. At the exact time i plugged it in my computer shut off and that was the end of it.

Oh that sounds real bad.
It sounds like you have something similar to a burnt out ICH4/5 southbridge chipset from some static possibly discharging from the USB port inbto the chipset.
Have a look here for some info. http://www.giga-byte.com.tw/Support/...aspx?FAQID=396

[davmax]

Re: Dead Motherboard

Have you been game enough to try the flash drive in another computer? It is quite possible that when plugging it in you caused a short circuit and puff goes MOBO.

[gonzo0815]

Re: Dead Motherboard

A serious MOBO has some polyfuses to avoid this scenario, but may there was a way to save a few cent`s.

[starfury1]

Re: Dead Motherboard

I've heard of this before...as above

not that this is going to fix you situation

but just a question or 2
Was it a usb port you normally use or one that wasn't used much or not at all
was it one fixed to the MB or socketed setup lead type one?

and yeah might want to be wary of that MP3 player

Just on the cap
it may be possible I suppose but cant see it popping its top so quick
so the cap although probably gone may have had nothing to do with the fault.
(over voltage will kill them but even that takes a little time)

On your question on the cap
well that really depends on where and what its for but a "shorted" cap, there is a very good (probably high) chance it would cause it to shut down.
(on the scheme of failures shorted caps happen but are less likely)

mostly electrolytic caps tend to be across power rails so its the equivalent to dropping a screw driver across your car battery terminals (thats a rather dramatic analogy but basically the idea)

That link you posted stevo does not sound good, looks like someone dropped the ball with the design. well thats my guess anyway

2 more questions

Did you smell the magic smoke? (when it died)
Did you give the MB a good close visual...with a mag glass looking for discoloration or possible raised sections or damaged components?

I am not liking your chances here but you never know I suppose

Cheers

[kikkoman]

Re: Dead Motherboard

quick question: what brand is that PSU?

[starfury1]

Re: Dead Motherboard

He said he switched supplies...(I know thats not conclusive)

So spill it Kikkoman whats on your mind

you got me wondering

Thanks , Cheers

[nick6pcm]

Re: Dead Motherboard

Hey guys thanks a lot for the feedback. I looked at that first link and it sounds like the south bridge is smoked. The mp3 player was an ipod that was connected to a usb port on the top of my computer case. I have used the cord and ipod since on my laptop. The power supply is a thermaltake 480watt psu. When the incident occurred i took off the side panel and looked around to see if there was any smoke or anything out of the ordinary. I did not see or smell any smoke, everything appeared to be fine. I think at this point i will just upgrade completely.

Another quick question for all of you...What type of motherboard is known for pretty good performance? I was very happy with this gigabyte till the static ruined it. Any preference as to what types of motherboards to buy??

Thanks again

Nick

[davmax]

Re: Dead Motherboard

Gigabyte Ultra Durable 2 motherboards have good quality components that have promise of long trem reliability. I have one, see signature

[starfury1]

Re: Dead Motherboard

I have two older Gigabytes and happy with them
(ok one had GSC crap but its fine now)...
just bad luck with your model by the looks of it

I was very close to getting another along the lines of Davmax's MB but went Asus instead
(only cause of price I got it for) sometimes I kind of regret I didn't go Gigabyte again.

I would pick a few models of MB's you like then google the model and see what issues you might run into with them.

Bottom line, I personally would buy another gigabyte but I guess that one has left a bit of a bad taste for them...understandable

upper market Asus seem to be ok but there can be issues with one of the controllers, that seems to be commonly used (not only on Asus MB)

I would do some research on any your thinking of thought really, it may save you from buying a dud.

anyway I think you will find people have there own likes and dislikes with MB's so you will get varied opinions.

Cheers

[zandrax]

Re: Dead Motherboard

Another quick question for all of you...What type of motherboard is known for pretty good performance? I was very happy with this gigabyte till the static ruined it. Any preference as to what types of motherboards to buy??

If you have a P4 cpu and you would upgrade in a near future (say 6-9 months from here), then look for P35 based motherboards: Davmax suggsts Gigabytes, and P35-DS3 [except DS3L] and -DS4 family are very good mobos; there are some nice Asus ones (e.g. P5K Pro), then Abit IP35. These mobos allow to reuse most of your actual equiment (CPU, psu, drives and cards; you can't save your Agp card and your DDRs) while allowing some upgrade paths in a few months.
In late 2008 Intel is going to introduce a completely new Cpu with a new socket and a lot less legacy periphericals, so this is the last chance of reusing your hardware.

Zandrax

[starfury1]

Re: Dead Motherboard

In late 2008 Intel is going to introduce a completely new Cpu with a new socket and a lot less legacy periphericals, so this is the last chance of reusing your hardware.

Here we go again

[shadow]

Re: Dead Motherboard

Here we go again

Yes you can always count on Intel to make a brand new socket to screw you over with upgrades!