I have this oldish Compaq motherboard with an AMD Duron 700 on it. However it won't post or display any video. I have tried so many power supplies, video cards, ram cards etc. There is nothing plugged into the IDE slots and I have removed all PCI cards.

I have noticed that when powered on by the on button that the CPU stays dead cold, but there are some transistors with heat sinks just near the CPU which are getting real hot. Could one of those have gone bad and sinking all the electricity, not leaving anything for the CPU? All the capacitors don't seem to be leaking either.

tygertung - 2021-11-05 21:26:00

Throw it in the bin buddy.

cube_guy - 2021-11-05 23:12:00

cube_guy wrote:

Throw it in the bin buddy.

Can't really as I don't think there would be any way to get a replacement.

tygertung - 2021-11-05 23:21:00

tygertung wrote:

Can't really as I don't think there would be any way to get a replacement.

Open your wallet and let the moths out.

sw20 - 2021-11-05 23:25:00

It isn't really a case of that. There are not really a lot of motherboards for 21 year old PCs lying around as they have mostly been discarded. There isn't anything on Trademe.

tygertung - 2021-11-06 08:37:00

Yeah mostly the rest of the pc has been discarded also lol.

nice_lady - 2021-11-06 08:41:00

tygertung wrote:

...there are some transistors with heat sinks...

Power regulators. I can't recall ever seeing transistors on a motherboard.

THere's a 'power good' signal that goes back from the motherboard to the power supply, and if the motherboard doesn't set this signal then it appears dead. Old power supplies often dry out and work once and never again, or perhaps the CPU chip needs to be removed and the contacts cleaned and fresh thermal paste applied.

Perhaps you can take it to an e-waste day and they'll let you exchange it for another.

gyrogearloose - 2021-11-06 08:51:00

Dead, bin it.

lythande1 - 2021-11-06 08:51:00

Those transistors are MOSFETs. They are there to supply the CPU directly hence their proximity. If they are getting unreasonably hot it means there is a short or reduced load downstream of them. Whats downstream of vrm mosfets? The cpu, or the filter caps along the way. Pull one out and measure it. My guess is the caps are failed or the cpu has. Both are likely in something that old. Heat, cycles and stress. That generation all ran hot

ronaldo8 - 2021-11-06 09:38:00

tygertung wrote:

I have noticed that when powered on by the on button that the CPU stays dead cold, but there are some transistors with heat sinks just near the CPU which are getting real hot. Could one of those have gone bad and sinking all the electricity, not leaving anything for the CPU? All the capacitors don't seem to be leaking either.

Moons ago I used to solve these sorts of things until I realised that in some cases p/s semiconductors might survive several rounds of heat stress - then cark out soon afterward. Having spent far too much time fixing other issues on the same job.

The massive eWaste load due to ditched PCs is planetary madness.

p.s. Just because a capacitor is not leaking doesn't mean it's OK.
Once extracted you can perform a rudimentary test with an analog multimeter.

thetechman - 2021-11-06 10:44:00

I just got a component tester from aliexpress so I can use it to measure the capacitor. But I think probably I would have to desolder it from the motherboard to test?

tygertung - 2021-11-06 11:03:00

Yes it needs to be out of circuit. Capacitance is measured by charging at a fixed voltage. If it's in circuit, that's going be distributed elsewhere, giving you a false reading.

ronaldo8 - 2021-11-06 11:21:00

tygertung wrote:

I just got a component tester from aliexpress so I can use it to measure the capacitor. But I think probably I would have to desolder it from the motherboard to test?

Yup - and you'll need a DECENT piston-action solder sucker tool to get it right first time. Listed on TM under [Industrial].
Some people might use wick but I found the vacuum sucker far better.

Edited by thetechman at 11:26 am, Sat 6 Nov

thetechman - 2021-11-06 11:25:00

and remember it will be lead-free solder requiring a higher temperature, A stainless steel dentists pick helps get the hole open.

I recapped a couple of Dell's and cured the random reboot, but it was a pain to order caps of the right diameter from Australia, I was disappointed in the rated 'hours of use', and I threw both PC's away within a few years. I wouldn't bother again.

gyrogearloose - 2021-11-06 11:53:00

tygertung wrote:

I have this oldish Compaq motherboard with an AMD Duron 700 on it. However it won't post or display any video. I have tried so many power supplies, video cards, ram cards etc. There is nothing plugged into the IDE slots and I have removed all PCI cards.

I have noticed that when powered on by the on button that the CPU stays dead cold, but there are some transistors with heat sinks just near the CPU which are getting real hot. Could one of those have gone bad and sinking all the electricity, not leaving anything for the CPU? All the capacitors don't seem to be leaking either.

Karma

docpc - 2021-11-06 14:24:00

tygertung wrote:

Can't really as I don't think there would be any way to get a replacement.

Lets put it another way. Its housing a 700mhz single core processor from 20 years ago. Why even bother?

cube_guy - 2021-11-06 15:15:00

tygertung wrote:

Can't really as I don't think there would be any way to get a replacement.

It's probably the standard ATX size, you can still buy those.

gyrogearloose - 2021-11-06 17:07:00

I have just the thing for you tiger, the universal solvent, the cure for what ails you, the solution for one and all.

If you get it to fire up at all, install linux on it immediately.

That will be sure to moisten those pesky dry capacitors, will probably gain 5ghz, mow your lawn and cure your asthma to. Whats good for the goose as they say.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lHDmU8mRzgk

ronaldo8 - 2021-11-06 22:12:00

wow I dont believe this - not one of you mentioned the CMOS battery failing. Replace it. And if you like the idea of Windows 11 spend the thousands and thousands of dollars you will need for a Windows 11 compatible PC. And having said that, buy a Windows 11 pc o upgrade your Windows 10 PC on tick (lol) on tick. Look for no interest terms if you can be inclined.
Op looks so much like me lol lol

Edited by olack at 9:24 am, Sun 7 Nov

olack - 2021-11-07 09:24:00

tygertung wrote:

I just got a component tester from aliexpress so I can use it to measure the capacitor. But I think probably I would have to desolder it from the motherboard to test?

Some clever guy on youtube shows how to test a capacitor on the motherboard but I think that means using an esr? or a machine or a a a tester, yeah yeah a tester.

Edited by olack at 9:26 am, Sun 7 Nov

olack - 2021-11-07 09:26:00

cube_guy wrote:

Lets put it another way. Its housing a 700mhz single core processor from 20 years ago. Why even bother?

To run 20 year old software? I have more modern computers of course, but to run old software, one is best to have an old machine.

Say for example you have software to work with old synthesisers, you will need an old machine as they won't run on a new machine.

tygertung - 2021-11-07 15:07:00

There is a bloke down Hendersons Road that sells old machines. Picked up a Celeron XP laptop a few years back to run some old audio programs and subwoofer enclosure design software. Cost me $80.

Edited by sw20 at 3:32 pm, Sun 7 Nov

sw20 - 2021-11-07 15:31:00

tygertung wrote:

I have this oldish Compaq motherboard with an AMD Duron 700 on it. However it won't post or display any video. I have tried so many power supplies, video cards, ram cards etc. There is nothing plugged into the IDE slots and I have removed all PCI cards.

I have noticed that when powered on by the on button that the CPU stays dead cold, but there are some transistors with heat sinks just near the CPU which are getting real hot. Could one of those have gone bad and sinking all the electricity, not leaving anything for the CPU? All the capacitors don't seem to be leaking either.

Got a ECS K7VTA3 board that will run that Duron. Still in antistatic bag. Never fired a shot. Yours for freight cost if any use.

Edited by namtak at 7:39 am, Mon 8 Nov

namtak - 2021-11-08 07:26:00

OH no the old K7VTA3 - they were legendary for blowing caps. That's the 'Purple death' board right ? Seen a lot of them with blown caps. Nasty things.

Ummm as for MSI - yeah well the K7VTA was an ECS, (Elite group), board.

Edited by nice_lady at 7:33 am, Mon 8 Nov

nice_lady - 2021-11-08 07:31:00

nice_lady wrote:

OH no the old K7VTA3 - they were legendary for blowing caps. That's the 'Purple death' board right ? Seen a lot of them with blown caps. Nasty things.

Ummm as for MSI - yeah well the K7VTA was an ECS, (Elite group), board.

I beg your pardon, yes ECS board and yes a lot did fault out but if not doing anything major might be ok for his needs.

namtak - 2021-11-08 07:39:00

This message was deleted.

gunna-1 - 2021-11-08 08:38:00

namtak wrote:

Got a ECS K7VTA3 board that will run that Duron. Still in antistatic bag. Never fired a shot. Yours for freight cost if any use.

Yeah, I'm keen. What would be the best way to do this? Start an auction with a 50c buy now? Maybe with no description so someone else doesn't buy it by mistake?

tygertung - 2021-11-08 12:58:00

honestly they should pay you to take that board off their hands !

nice_lady - 2021-11-08 14:09:00

tygertung wrote:

Yeah, I'm keen. What would be the best way to do this? Start an auction with a 50c buy now? Maybe with no description so someone else doesn't buy it by mistake?

Here you go. Auction no.3337737359.

namtak - 2021-11-08 15:06:00

nice_lady wrote:

OH no the old K7VTA3 - they were legendary for blowing caps. That's the 'Purple death' board right ? Seen a lot of them with blown caps. Nasty things.

Ummm as for MSI - yeah well the K7VTA was an ECS, (Elite group), board.

Nice, i dunno much about computers but i saved one of each colour of those boards.
Something like ' Black, Brown, Purple, Red, Violet, Orange, Yellow, Green'.

I have a huge amount of motherboards, like 700+, a ' Gold motherboard' one with a K5 cpu on it, maybe set up computers of that era that are still running ( AFAIK )
Random stuff, its hopefully going to the escrap place soon for $$+

marte - 2021-11-08 22:45:00

marte wrote:

. . . . . . . . I have a huge amount of motherboards, like 700+, a ' Gold motherboard' one with a K5 cpu on it, maybe set up computers of that era that are still running ( AFAIK )

Just unearthed some legacy software that might interest someone resurrecting gear from The Good Old Days.
Looks like some are even for DOS OS.

Edited by thetechman at 10:55 pm, Mon 8 Nov

thetechman - 2021-11-08 22:54:00

marte wrote:

Nice, i dunno much about computers but i saved one of each colour of those boards.
Something like ' Black, Brown, Purple, Red, Violet, Orange, Yellow, Green'.

I have a huge amount of motherboards, like 700+, a ' Gold motherboard' one with a K5 cpu on it, maybe set up computers of that era that are still running ( AFAIK )
Random stuff, its hopefully going to the escrap place soon for $$+

Just make sure it doesn't get chucked out, as it is getting hard to get now and people will want it for retro computing.

tygertung - 2021-11-09 08:11:00

I changed the CMOS battery, no change. Left the motherboard on for a couple of minutes and those mosfets were getting real hot, you could smell the dust heating up. There must be some kind of short somewhere.

tygertung - 2021-11-09 14:06:00

One mode of capacitor failure is a short.

But, if I was writing a short story I'd mention dropping screws into the case that get stuck under the motherboard, out of sight.

gyrogearloose - 2021-11-09 14:14:00

I will have to pull the motherboard out to check that, but it was first playing up when it was in the original case, it was running then it started to become unstable and then wouldn't boot.

tygertung - 2021-11-09 14:47:00

gyrogearloose wrote:

One mode of capacitor failure is a short.

But, if I was writing a short story I'd mention dropping screws into the case that get stuck under the motherboard, out of sight.

Maybe that's where all those transistors you've never seen ended up as well? Or perhaps they are down the back of the sofa along with your memoir?

ronaldo8 - 2021-11-10 12:08:00