PSU or motherboard failure?

I had my old home-built system die on my last week. Specs are as follows:
AMD2 2.4 (overclocked to 2.6) ghz dualcore CPU
MSI K9N SLI Platinum motherboard
Corsair DDR2 1GBx4 RAM
nVidia Geforce 8800 GTS graphics card
400 watt PSU came with the case

At first, the motherboard beeped at me (one long, then several short ones) when I tried to boot although occassionally it wouldn't beep at all. Doing the regular troubleshooting, I removed one hardware piece a time and tried to boot to see if the beep continued. It stopped after I removed the CPU that looked very bad with pins belt all over the place. So I decided it was most likely the CPU causing issues as I was unable to find any direct information about the beeps and what error they were actually pointing to. Since the motherboard did beep I assumed it worked properly. I ordered an AM3 3.0 ghz dualcore CPU and put it in the socket but now nothing happens. Everything seems to gain power (I also ordered a new fan), but I get no POST screen. The motherboard doesn't beep as it used to either when shooting up fine and I tried to remove both graphics card and RAM to see if the motherboard at least detected these as faulty/missing and would thus beep, indicating it is working properly. However, it does not.

This leaves me with 2 options left - faulty motherboard or PSU unable to provide with enough power. The thing is, I did experience this when overclocking my old CPU above 2.6 ghz. The system became unstable and would thus not boot properly at all. A CMOS reset solved the issue just fine since it would return the CPU to its basic setting where the system was stable and the PSU could supply it with sufficient power. Since my new CPU far exceeds this safe point of 2.6 ghz, how do I know it is the PSU unable to supply with enough power to my system? I read in some other thread you can get something called a multimeter, but I have honestly no clue what it is (in Swedish, I am Swedish), and even the basic descriptions of how to test your PSU outside the case makes me confused (paper clips?!). Now, I am not sure I can afford to send in my computer for basic maintenance and it is quite old as it was built in late in 2008 so I have no warranty left. Another huge problem is that I cannot afford to build a new system (how I wish I could).

So, thus asking for advice and what to do.

Is your mobo even designed to run an AM3 CPU ???

http://www.msi.com/product/mb/K9N- [...] CPUSupport

This is a tutorial on testing the PSU with a "PAPER CLIP"

http://dodji.seketeli.com/download [...] p-test.pdf

Welcome to Tom's Forum!

As I recall the AMD Athlon 64 X2 has the pins in the CPU itself, and if those pins are bent you can attempt to straighten with a jeweler's tweezers; otherwise carbon burnt or simply broke render the CPU non functional.

1st digit refers to BIOS maker as A = AMI, W = AWARD, and P = PHOENIX. Your MSI uses AMI BIOS. See -> http://www.bioscentral.com/beepcodes/amibeep.htm#
Beeps:
1 long, 2 short = Failure in video system
1 long, 3 short = Memory test failure
1 long, 8 short = Display test failure

You need to count the "several short ones" to know what problem(s).

Pull the Geforce 8800 GTS and see/listen if it boots. Otherwise sure a PSU can cause boot failures. I assume the 6-pin & 8-pin are connected to the GPU.

Further, a 400W with what you've listed is really too small especially if it's old (electrolytic capacitor aging). As a PSU gets old it loses some potential wattage, and if there's not enough power then you get all sorts of oddball behavior including 'beeps', sudden power loss, etc.

See -> http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/Power enter your info, as I did, and calculate yourself. Don't forget to add 30%~40% Capacitor Aging and add for any OC. IMO - you need a 500W PSU.

Another question - are DDR2 RAM compatible in DDR3 sockets? I can't seem to find any good information about this, since I realized it would be hard for me to find an AM2 motherboard within a reasonable price range that supports AM3.

It's called AM3 Athlon II X2 250. I did upgrade my motherboard to the latest drivers before the crash.

So asking again since it seems you missed it the first time, but can I put DDR2 into DDR3 sockets? Because in that case it would be easier for me to change motherboard to AM3 support and upgrade the PSU to 500 watt, otherwise I must find a motherboard with AM3 and DDR2 support which I think would be harder.

Hi,
I have another question. I decided to buy a new motherboard that's AM2+ meaning it should be AM3 ready, which one would you suggest for a stationary computer mostly meant for gaming? I am looking at prices to compare but very few of them I am looking at are very specific in their details or gotten any reviews. The price range should be around 50 euro, give or take some, with decent performance given it's an old model.

I probably would look at an AM3 MOBO instead of an AM2+; yes the AM3 requires DDR3 RAM.

Selection of AM3 MOBO's that support your CPU; side-by-side selection - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 130-295-TS

Support for ADX250OCK23GQ ; verify your CPU.
M4A78LT-M - http://usa.asus.com/Motherboards/A [...] 8LTM/#CPUS
M4A88TD-M/USB3 - http://usa.asus.com/Motherboards/A [...] USB3/#CPUS
M4A88T-V EVO/USB3 - http://usa.asus.com/Motherboards/A [...] USB3/#CPUS
770 EXTREME3 - http://www.asrock.com/mb/cpu.asp?Model=770%20Extreme3
880GM-E41 - http://us.msi.com/product/mb/880GM [...] CPUSupport

AM2+ MOBO supporting your CPU and DDR2 RAM.

In 'my' region the USA there (is) only (1) AM2+ MOBO listed as new, in your area there may be more. It's critical to verify your CPU is supported.

Foxconn A74ML-K - http://www.foxconnsupport.com/cpus [...] K&cputype=
** Foxconn's servers are down so I don't know IF your CPU is supported or not. **

Problem, I'm in the USA and have no idea whatsoever what's available in Europe or the UK if that's your region.

IF you post one or two links where you online shop I'd be more than happy to double-check CPU support. Also, you could buy used equipment.

What Country are you located in? - let's start there...

Komplett - http://www.komplett.se
Webhallen - http://www.webhallen.com/

ASRock N68C-S UCC
Buy 379 SEK - http://www.webhallen.com/hardvara/ [...] -vga-pci-e
CPU Support - http://www.asrock.com/mb/cpu.asp?Model=N68C-S%20UCC
Support for ADX250OCK23GQ ; verify your CPU is listed and correct.

Ah nevermind, it seems that one does support DDR2? I thought they weren't compatible?

They're not, that MOBO has both DDR2 and DDR3 slots; you can use ONLY one or the other - not both together.

Specs - http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview. [...] ifications

Sorry, it seems impossible to verify the production number. I looked at the order details I received, I ordered it here: https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva= [...] 252003c8de

I can't seem to find the number you are looking for.