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Bad Cpu or Motherboard (BlSoD)

Tags:
  • Motherboards
  • Cooling
  • CPUs
  • Components
Last response: in Components
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January 24, 2014 3:08:13 PM

Hi!

My old rig died one day with no post, no beeps, just black screen of death.

Taking apart the pc i've realized 1 of the 2 cpu cooler plastic leg was broken (stock cooler ofc), so my cooling was not ideal for god knows how long.

When I take out the cpu and everything besides the RAM, the mobo gives the normal error beeps.

I've also tried swithing to a known good PSU. Same deal.


Can I safely assume that my Cpu is bad and my motherboard is OK?

System specs: MSI k8n neo4 motherboard, and AMD Athlon64 3200+ cpu
(yeah, I know how old it is, but I could use it for educational purposes)

More about : bad cpu motherboard blsod

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January 24, 2014 3:10:21 PM

If your CPU wasn't being cooled properly, it's highly likely it died.
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January 24, 2014 3:13:50 PM

Thx for the fast reply!

It is indeed likely. Could it possibly damage the motherboard?
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January 24, 2014 3:16:19 PM

HeRRing said:
Thx for the fast reply!

It is indeed likely. Could it possibly damage the motherboard?


Only if the rest of the motherboard's chips were also being overheated, like if all your case fans stopped working.
My southbridge used to constantly overheat in my old computer if I didnt have my air conditioner turned on.
And pointed directly at my computer.
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January 24, 2014 3:52:24 PM

James Mason said:

Only if the rest of the motherboard's chips were also being overheated, like if all your case fans stopped working.
My southbridge used to constantly overheat in my old computer if I didnt have my air conditioner turned on.
And pointed directly at my computer.


My case fan was my cpu fan, it had direct intake from the outside.
The tiny whiny bridge fan was long replaced to robust passive cooling. I think if that caused the problem, it would've caused it years ago.

I guess the only thing I can do is buying a used cpu. It won't break the bank.
I will tell about the result.

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February 25, 2014 4:30:39 AM

Final Thoughts, here:

I have discovered a bulging capacitor on the motherboard, which was clearly distinct from the other very flat ones. This most likely bad capacitor was the closest to my bridge heatsink and my videocard - possibly the hottest place in the case besides the cpu.


Tried to replace a bad capacitor and failed:

Before doing anything else, I've ordered 2 replacement caps for 1$. The capacity (uF) value were identical to the bad looking one (important), I took a note of the polarity (also important). Unfortunately I couldn't do it right.

The motherboard no longer gives any "missing cpu" or "missing ram" beeps. I believe the mistake from my part was drilling the motherboard, which could have damaged the interface. I used a 1mm screw driver head to drill out solder from the hole (DON'T DO THIS).


The Lesson has been learnt:

  1. To extend your capacitors lifetime, have proper cooling in your case. In this situation a case fan might have prolonged the inevitable by couple of weeks/months/years.
  2. Also cut the voltage when you turn off your PC. This PC was plugged into the wall 24/7. Although most of the time it was off, the motherboard - and hence the capacitors - was still under voltage. Capacitors lifetime decrease, when they're under voltage.
    /Considering the 2 facts above, it is kind of miraculous how this machine lived for 10 years, and had like 15,000 working hours. However it was never overclocked, and was under light-moderate usage. I believe cpu/gpu/bridge temperature values was always between 40-50C./

  3. Replacing bad capacitors - the correct way to do it:
    http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fixing-motherboard,...
    There are MANY mistakes you can make, so make sure you practice on something expendable. (Never do it on something too expensive, or if the warranty is still valid.)
    See page 8 about how to remove solder without drilling. I resoldered the cap couple of times now, and I can remove the solder using a simple sewing needle. I just heat up the needle (holded by pliers) and push it through the hole.


  • Final final thoughts:
    I don't regret doing this, and practicing cap replacement on this old motherboard. It was dead anyway. Whether the cpu is good or bad remains a mystery forever.
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