Bad Motherboards - Black Screen of Death

Julimbob

Julimbob

New Member
Hi guys, I've just joined this forum wishing to raise a very similar issue to the one of which Leon79 seems to be experiancing in his thread here, but taking it a step futher to ask what could be done to prevent it from happening?

In January I built a computer for myself which I completed with no problems whatsoever, was running windows and I'd ran games on it and all sorts. However, I had decided to leave wiring up the front USB ports, dreading the moment when I would have to fiddle around with the little loose ends of wire. After about a week I got round to doing it, and opening up the case, using every procaution as I've always used, wired them up.
Guess what happened next?
To my horror the computer would not come back. Exactly the same as leon's. Black screen, no bleep, fans and lights seem to be working. I have a 650w power supply and tested the graphics card is working perfectly (onboard VGA would neither work.) I came to the conclusion that it was the motherboard. I had the CPU RAM and Motherboard replaced under warranty and it's worked since.

However, since then I tried to get a friends computer onto a network. To find out what network drivers he needed I opened up the side of his case, peered into the case to find the model number, put the case side on. Exactly the same happened. I replaced only the motherboard this time and the computer's been fine since. Again, the guy had been running his computer with correct PSU and had been running for the past several months if no years.

Yesterday and second friend informed me that he had just had exactly the same problem after merely moving a disk drive. I'm sure he will have been precautious, as I always am. But this is starting to look like such an easy thing to go wrong with the motherboard, and such a nightmare to replace, not to mention costs.

So, would anybody here be able to shed some light on what would prevent this from happening, because I really can't think of anything that would stop it from what has become a seemingly random occuring event.

Thanks very much for reading, and in advance,
 
Something has to be going on, because in the years i've been working on computers and opening cases, i haven't once ran into that problem. Maybe you have a high level of static electricity where you live or something.
 
Well I have had it happen to myself and my friend in the same room in my house, but it happened to the latest friend at his house.

What would you say should be done to prevent static?
 
Have you tried resetting the cmos when that happens? Either by shorting the jumper or by removing the battery for about 30 seconds?
 
Julimbob said:
Well I have had it happen to myself and my friend in the same room in my house, but it happened to the latest friend at his house.

What would you say should be done to prevent static?
Click to expand...

this is what i do EVERYTIME i open a pc case for repair:-
1. turn off and unplug pc
2. press the power button on front of case to dissapate any residual current left in system(usually results in a brief blip of power)
3. take off side panel/top panel etc(depending on case)
4. touch the casing of the PSU(NOT CPU !!!) to earth myself and disperse any static that i may have.
5. then start to work.
6. if i leave the PC and return at any point, i will touch the PSU again just to be sure.

I HAVE NEVER had a static problem yet in 4 and half years of repairing systems for people.
 
I tried resetting CMOS and taking out the battery.

1. turn off and unplug pc
2. press the power button on front of case to dissapate any residual current left in system(usually results in a brief blip of power)
3. take off side panel/top panel etc(depending on case)
4. touch the casing of the PSU(NOT CPU !!!) to earth myself and disperse any static that i may have.
5. then start to work.
6. if i leave the PC and return at any point, i will touch the PSU again just to be sure.
Click to expand...

I don't do step 2. and have always touched the side of the case for 4. Is this not effective?

Thanks,
 
Julimbob said:
I tried resetting CMOS and taking out the battery.



I don't do step 2. and have always touched the side of the case for 4. Is this not effective?

Thanks,
Click to expand...

touching the case is not a bad idea at all but i believe the PSU is a better grounding point(personal preference), i've always done it and it's worked for me. as for pressing the power button to disperse residual power ... well it's a must as far as i'm concerned, especially when working on other peoples systems whilst they're watching(hate that btw) they seem to appreciate it.
 
Right kk, still seems very flimsy solution to such a severe problem that keeps occuring but I shall bare what you've said in mind so thanks. :)
 
Julimbob said:
Right kk, still seems very flimsy solution to such a severe problem that keeps occuring but I shall bare what you've said in mind so thanks. :)
Click to expand...
were you present at each occasion of the problem??

do you wear trainers on a nylon based carpet by any chance cos that's a sure way to build up static. might sound silly and please don't take offence but but there must be a reason it's only happening when you're around!!
 
I've never worn trainers whilest working on a computer ever. On the third occasion I was not present, as it was my friend that did it. I'm sure he won't have been wearing trainers at the time.
It does sound very much like it's some problem with static, but what I don't understand is how to seriously reduce or get rid of it. Many people seem to be seemingly fairly careless around computer parts, but never manage to break them, yet I'm sure myself and my friend have been excedingly careful not to damage any of the components.
 
Sorry for double post..

And besides, this is only happening to the motherboards. No other components has ever been a problem for me.

Thanks,
 
Julimbob said:
I've never worn trainers whilest working on a computer ever. On the third occasion I was not present, as it was my friend that did it. I'm sure he won't have been wearing trainers at the time.
It does sound very much like it's some problem with static, but what I don't understand is how to seriously reduce or get rid of it. Many people seem to be seemingly fairly careless around computer parts, but never manage to break them, yet I'm sure myself and my friend have been excedingly careful not to damage any of the components.
Click to expand...

i don't know if you mentioned it but where do you buy your parts from??
 
Various places, dabs.com, microdirect, ebay (new and used - mainly from ebay shops). The three motherbaords that have blown are from firstly microdirect for mine (which I'd reccomend because they were no trouble replacing it for me). Dabs for the 2nd and some other site I can't remember for the third. All were new.
 
Julimbob said:
Various places, dabs.com, microdirect, ebay (new and used - mainly from ebay shops). The three motherbaords that have blown are from firstly microdirect for mine (which I'd reccomend because they were no trouble replacing it for me). Dabs for the 2nd and some other site I can't remember for the third. All were new.
Click to expand...

well i doubt if that's the problem then....i use microdirect myself and their level of service is pretty much equal to newegg.

just trying to eliminate possible causes for the static. we've ruled out friction from trainers and bad suppliers(misshandling goods) so unless you can think of any other conditions that may effect electronics which you haven't mentioned , then i'm as confused as a baby racoon.

but this may be of some help
http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/staticcont.htm

it covers a few of the things i've mentioned as well.
 
I noticed on that list was dry skin. I do pereodiclly get very dry skin. Do you think this would cause static?

I also noticed it mentioned a grounding strap for your wrist. Would this prevent even the dryest of people? lol, and if so does anybody know anything about where I could get one from or things I may need to know before buying because I'm clueless here.

Also, what would you say to operating inside a computer with long hair. I am very careful to avoid hair dangling inside the case (I have quite long hair), but would a strand of hair cause this problem were it to fal into the case?
This dosn't explain the third motherboard failure either, as my friend has incredibly short hair.

Thanks again very much for your help,
 
Julimbob said:
I noticed on that list was dry skin. I do pereodiclly get very dry skin. Do you think this would cause static?

I also noticed it mentioned a grounding strap for your wrist. Would this prevent even the dryest of people? lol, and if so does anybody know anything about where I could get one from or things I may need to know before buying because I'm clueless here.

Also, what would you say to operating inside a computer with long hair. I am very careful to avoid hair dangling inside the case (I have quite long hair), but would a strand of hair cause this problem were it to fal into the case?
This dosn't explain the third motherboard failure either, as my friend has incredibly short hair.

Thanks again very much for your help,
Click to expand...

i wouldn't think your hair would be a problem unless a fan was spinning:eek:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899261005
as for helping you , that's what i'm here for but thanks anyway. i will monitor this thread and help you again if i think of anything else ... good luck mate

Jim
 
johnb35 said:
Actually, I think hair could be a major factor in static electricity.
Click to expand...
well thinking about it ........ no i don't agree. hair seems to get charged with the same polarity charge as the computer and "like" charges repel and do not attract to cause discharge. i may be talking out my arse but i read it somewhere i'm sure.
 
johnb35 said:
Actually, I think hair could be a major factor in static electricity.
Click to expand...

No, hair static electricty cant be that strong enough to repel a MOBO which in INSIDE a case. Thats like saying if a MP3 player has 1.6V charger but you accidently charge it with 1.61V for 1 sec and it breaks, no it does not happen like that...
 
No, hair static electricty cant be that strong enough to repel a MOBO which in INSIDE a case. Thats like saying if a MP3 player has 1.6V charger but you accidently charge it with 1.61V for 1 sec and it breaks, no it does not happen like that...
Click to expand...

Not like I'm for the 'hair-static risk' but if the hair did get INSIDE the case ONTO the motherboard, either sweeping it or if a strand (not noticeable) landed on it and it was turned on?
 
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