Help me troubleshoot please!

[BOLt]

So I have a Biostar TForce motherboard and a 3600+ AMD dual core AM2 chip with 2GB of Buffalo FireStix DDR2 RAM. I was using a Thermalright socket 939 adapter (so that I could use my old socket 939 HSF). It was working just fine.

I had a XP-90 that I wanted to install on the computer to cool the system better and quieter. Using the mounting bracket adapter, it should work. I removed the old HSF, cleaned the CPU, reapplied thermal paste and mounted the XP-90. However, in installing it I ended up using many tools and lots of pushing and prying. I am used to this since I use custom heatsinks/fans a lot, so it wasn't a big deal until I tried to fire up the system after reconnecting everything. No video! Additionally, there are no LEDs lighting up on the motherboard.

I've tried disconnecting everything and checking the back of the motherboard for signs of short outs or static damage. I grounded myself carefully whenever working on the computer. Furthermore, I tried reseating the RAM, switching the video ports on the graphics card, reseating the graphics card, checking all power connections, etc.

The fans spin up (including the chipset and CPU fan when I reinstalled the old verified good stock heatsink/fan), the power supply seems to be working fine, power is going to the video card, etc.

What is the most likely culprit? It won't POST. The hard drive spins up, but it's not read ever. Like I said no LEDs show on the motherboard (or I'd have been able to isolate the problem). No POST codes displayed either.

Suggestions? I'm about to buy a new motherboard (same model) from Newegg since I don't have the original box >.< and can't RMA it as a result (I think).

What if the CPU got squashed or something when I was installing the XP-90? How can I tell a motherboard malfunction from a CPU malfunction if it doesn't even POST? There is no burning or charring on the CPU. There is no silicon smell either. It's just a mystery...

There are no signs of physical damage on any of the components. I even checked where a tool may have hit the motherboard and I see no marks. Perhaps one of the lanes on the motherboard got squashed? I think the FSB channels are right next to the CPU, so if a tool hit them I am SOL, I guess.

Thanks

 

[ch33zw1z]

Pull ALL components out of system board one by one: ram, cpu, vga, hdd...anything to try and get POST errors. if that doesn't work, RMA it. if there's no physical signs of damage, you should be ok.

 

[BOLt]

bump

I did some more testing today. Still no progress, but after carefully observing my CPU, I noticed that it seemed to have some signs of pressure damage on the edges. On one side, the glue that holds the IHS on seemed to be seeping out a bit. On another side, the top of the IHS was pressed in slightly... a sign of uneven pressure exerted while trying to install the XP-90 heatsink. What are the chances that the CPU has been damaged?

I also noticed that when I start the system, the power LED on the front of the case lights up, but then turns off after a split second. Additionally, the light for the Ethernet cable turns on when a cable is plugged in. However, the (USB) keyboard as well as the USB mouse are unresponsive when plugged in. I've also tried resetting the CMOS with the jumper.

There are absolutely no signs of damage (from static or physical damage from a tool) anywhere on any component. The only damage at all that is observable is the aforementioned pressure signs on the CPU.

How can I isolate if the problem is the CPU or the motherboard? The system will obviously not POST without a working CPU and the motherboard won't POST if something is wrong with it.

I really need help, guys.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: BOLt
How can I isolate if the problem is the CPU or the motherboard?

Only way is to swap in another CPU. If it boots, it's your CPU - if not, it's your motherboard.

Sorry.

- M4H

 

[BOLt]

bump

I've ordered the same motherboard and CPU from Newegg. I will update again with my progress when they arrive. They are open box and OEM products, respectively. Maybe Biostar and/or AMD will RMA my defective product(s) and I'll be able to sell my extra (working) stuff here to curb my losses. What a huge pain in the butt. I keep kicking myself for not being more careful or whatever it was that lead to this problem.

>.<

 

[Lasthitlarry]

I've fried a CPU by doing the same exact thing before, it's a bitch, but if you are smart it won't happen again.

 

[BOLt]

I hope it's just the CPU. I bought it OEM from Newegg, but hopefully AMD will come through with a warranty on the thing. If it's the motherboard, there's probably significantly more work involved for me. If it's another component, well, then I'm going to start ripping my hair out...

 

[BOLt]

Got the parts in. Turned out to be a dead motherboard.