Gigabyte G31M-ES2L fried

[seanc]

So, I got hold of this motherboard, it was described as not powering up.

Being a Gigabyte, I thought that was very unusual - should have stopped there really

So I try and power it up, nothing.
I guess I have a short.

Measure all CPU mosfets while in circuit, one of them is a dead short every which way (K3818) - could be because it's in circuit mind you.

Then I flip it over, burned trace! As far as I can work out, the damage has stemmed from someone being too rough while installing it or with a standoff in the wrong place.

There is also one ever so slightly damaged pin in the CPU socket but I think that will be OK.
I guess I'll have to put a piece of wire over that trace.

Anyone think it's salvageable?

Edit: Just noticed another bent pin down the bottom that I'd have to try and unbend.

[Scenic]

Re: Gigabyte G31M-ES2L fried

those traces look like they're still OK.. just a bit toasty (bc. of the shorted mosfet maybe?)
replace the mosfet(s) and take care of the pins first

if it works you got yourself a nice little core 2 duo ready entry level board

[seanc]

Re: Gigabyte G31M-ES2L fried

I popped a jumper wire in, then set about removing the mosfet.

Well, I bust it a bit more, I tore up the pad that connects drain on the mosfet I was removing - however, it's still attached to the board and there is still continuity on it.
I'm thinking it may still be usable, or I may be able to connect it to the drain of mosfet next door?

On the upside, the mosfet is actually shorted.

If this board ever works, I will be proud

[seanc]

Re: Gigabyte G31M-ES2L fried

Replacement mosfet installed onto the board, seems to be in circuit and OK.
I tested the mosfets of another faulty G31M-S2L (different fault) I have to confirm that it was behaving normally.

Need to get hold of an LGA775 Celeron and a small amount of DDR2 RAM to test with in case it all goes wrong.

[Scenic]

Re: Gigabyte G31M-ES2L fried

if you have a s775 heatsink already..
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/380233515579

if not:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/260605879874

DDR2
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/390113228676
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/270574053166
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/230469977942

important sidenote: all P3x and G3x chipsets need at least DDR2-667 / PC2-5300. boards with those chipsets won't POST with anything slower (that's why DDR2-533 is so dirt cheap).

if the board turns out to be working, i'd stick a nice little core-based celeron in there
(those old Netburst (P4) based CPUs are really only good for testing boards.. roomheater crap lol)

[seanc]

Re: Gigabyte G31M-ES2L fried

Oh yes, I am very familiar with Gigabyte boards, LGA775 and Core CPUs & the important of using the correct RAM.

All of the machines we build at work are Gigabyte based, I've been building them since the GA-945 days, we're now at GA-G41M and GA-H55M.

The board I'm working on is from eBay - existing damage is not my fault :P (any more damage is me being a impatient). The S2L I used as a comparison was from work, it was having what seemed like RAM problems and then stopped POSTing completely. It will be returned to Gigabyte - their RMA process is excellent.

So yes, I have a few LGA775 heatisinks kicking around here and I'll grab a Celeron and 256mb DDR2 from work - nobody wants them, they run so hot, they make the machines scream.

[Scenic]

Re: Gigabyte G31M-ES2L fried

lol sry.. didn't know to what extent you're familiar with this stuff :P

i've got a G33M-DS2R with a Celeron Dualcore E1200 1,6GHz as a little web surfing machine.
underclocked to 800MHz, undervolted to 0,86V, running passive cooled (the only fan is the 120mm in the PSU) virtually silent.. i love it
plus.. i don't have to clean up a sh*tload of fans every couple months

[seanc]

Re: Gigabyte G31M-ES2L fried

Don't worry, better to say it in case I didn't!

I remember when I first built a machine with a 945 based Gigabyte board, I thought the fan was broken.
The smart fan function just made the CPU fan twitch until it's hot enough to be needed.

My home machine has defected to an ASUS P5N-E SLI board! Free board, free CPU mosfets to repair it!

[Scenic]

Re: Gigabyte G31M-ES2L fried

all i remember about the late i945 gigabyte boards is that the pathetic little aluminium chipset heatsink gets so damn hot that you can bake your fingerprints on it.. trust me... i know what i'm talking about

worked fine.. even though the chipset heatsink was close to 75°C
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/...ProductID=2669

[c_hegge]

Re: Gigabyte G31M-ES2L fried

Scenic, The CPUs you suggested won't work with that board. 800MHz FSB as as low as it will go. The Celeron D CPUs you suggested have a 533MHz FSB.

[Scenic]

Re: Gigabyte G31M-ES2L fried

oops.. didn't really pay attention to the FSB :X

[seanc]

Re: Gigabyte G31M-ES2L fried

Ahah :/

Maybe I'll sacrifice a 3Ghz P4 instead.

[seanc]

Re: Gigabyte G31M-ES2L fried

Test results > see image.

Need to keep an eye on that mosfet, it runs warm, might just be because it's closest to the CPU.

[Scenic]

Re: Gigabyte G31M-ES2L fried

well.. if it runs, you might aswell pop a core-based CPU in there which isnt as powerhungry

[seanc]

Re: Gigabyte G31M-ES2L fried

Yep

Decided I'd re-cap the Antec EA-380 PSU running it first, I think I could hear it making tell-tale hissing I'm about to go tits up on you sounds.