Upgrading PC. help?

Heku

Member
Yes, i can't remove the battery (it's covered in plastic-like tape on the back of the audio-ports), but there is a 2-pin on mobo that you just need to short out (with ex. screwdriver).. and i did short it.
 

Heku

Member
I can confirm that the PSU is not the problem, dug out my old amd machine (Phenom II X4 955 / AsRock 880G Pro3) and it got to POST. So i'm guessing there is a power distribution problem with my motherboard (Z97N G5)..?
 

Darren

Moderator
Staff member
I've had CMOS jumpers not actually clear the CMOS before. According to the manual, the battery itself is removable and doesn't mention tape. MIght just be a protective coating or something, but I'm not sure without seeing it. See if you can get it off and the battery out. That or retry the jumper but leave the pins shorted for several seconds and push the power button while doing so to discharge any power. Leave it off for 5 minutes or so after you pull the battery before replacing it. I feel like a CMOS reset would at least get you into the BIOS with a single stick of RAM in or something. It's possible the board just got fried, though. Make sure all cables are well seated?

Page 24
http://resources.e-itx.com/gigabyte/ga-z97n-gaming-um.pdf
 

Heku

Member
This is how the CMOS battery really looks like:
u4WnC9G.jpg
 

Darren

Moderator
Staff member
Try the jumpers first for several seconds and pressing the power button. Then leave it off for a little and try it again and then try and boot. I'm just kind of guessing at this point, but CMOS can be weird. Have you tried every combination of RAM you can? One stick in each slot and trying both sticks?
 

Heku

Member
i've tried jumping the CMOS and changing RAMs, but still nothing new.. i even tried with the old cpu, but nothing..
is there any sure way i can check if i fried my mobo?
 

Heku

Member
i'll try to fix this/find the problem on the weekend, but if nothing helps i might need to take it to a repair shop in the beginning of next week.. but i would be hoping i wouldn't have to take it there and could fix it myself.
btw, should i be trying with the new parts or old parts (i've been trying with both kinda mixed)? and should i try inside, and outside the case for this (haven't put it back in the case since i took it out..)
 

beers

Moderator
Staff member
i'll try to fix this/find the problem on the weekend, but if nothing helps i might need to take it to a repair shop in the beginning of next week.. but i would be hoping i wouldn't have to take it there and could fix it myself.
btw, should i be trying with the new parts or old parts (i've been trying with both kinda mixed)? and should i try inside, and outside the case for this (haven't put it back in the case since i took it out..)
Outside is fine, I'd revert back to a known-working original setup and see if you still have issues. Also examine the CPU socket for any bent pins since that seems to be the main component that was changed.
 

Heku

Member
omg, why didn't i ever think about this.... well, here's some pictures:
SoTMMBc.jpg
Bue1N31.jpg

It seems like couple pins has broken off from the "inner-circle", i guess this is the problem, but is it fixable? or should i look for a new board? there are a couple of bent ones too on the inner side..
E: incase you need zoomed: http://i.imgur.com/qqIl81p.jpg http://i.imgur.com/uDJgDGk.jpg (sorry for potato quality...)

EE: i tried looking up the pins on 1150 socket.. and as far as i'm aware it seems like AJ15 (VDDQ), AJ24 (VDDQ) and AJ14 (VSS) are broken off..
 
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Heku

Member
i'm guessing i'm gonna have to buy a new motherboard, but if you have a suggestion on the old board please tell me. I'm wondering should i buy the same one again, or is there any other good ddr3 itx mobos for gaming? budget 200€ (Z97N G5 is 180€)
 

beers

Moderator
Staff member
Hey sorry for the delayed response.

Nice looking up the specific pins, although unfortunately it looks like they're tied into functions (sometimes you can get lucky and have it be a redundant ground or reserved pin). I think VDDQ ties into the memory controller but don't quote me on that.

Fixability wise you'd really be looking at a new board. I think some manufacturers can fix via RMA but the cost associated is about the same as a new board anyway (of which they probably just ship you a new one).
 

Heku

Member
Got my new mobo today, and got everything up and running fine! for people wondering about the Phanteks PH-TC14PE in a Bitfenix Prodigy:
bj8wXhQ.jpg
SpHiZAx.jpg
 
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