Dead comp

[`Air]

so i wake up and i try to turn on my comp, but nothing happens. :( ok, so i open the case try to troubleshoot, i turned off the PSU then turned it back on, then i notice the little light on the mobo is quite dimmer than usual. the light coming on means that the PSU works right? and maybe its the mobo's problem? any help is appreciated. thanks :)

[thrash_head]

Do you have a spare PSU? If so, stick it in and see if it powers up. If it dosn't power up, i'd say its the mobo.

[Zogo]

so i wake up and i try to turn on my comp, but nothing happens. :( ok, so i open the case try to troubleshoot, i turned off the PSU then turned it back on, then i notice the little light on the mobo is quite dimmer than usual. the light coming on means that the PSU works right? and maybe its the mobo's problem? any help is appreciated. thanks :)

usually when fans/lights come on it means the PSU is working. in rare cases part of the PSU can die but the part that is supposed to power the motherboard dies..that's rare though.

[`Air]

ok, i dont have a spare psu, but imma get a new mobo tomorrow, if thats not the problem, ill just refund it (i live near many comp shops).

so what are the steps to take so i can get the comp up and running again? i need to format the hd right after i install the new mobo? is there a way i can get to the files before formatting them?

[andr3w]

general rule of thumb is if u are switching chipsets on the mobo ur going to have to format

ex.

via to nforce will need to format

if u have access to another computer u can put the hd on that system and try to burn them onto a cd or something...other than that im not really sure

[thrash_head]

First back up your files to a CD/DVD (only files you really have to have and cant be re-dl)

Then do This...

-Take out old mobo
-Clean out case
-Install CPU/Memory to motherboard (easier to install out of case)
-Screw in the new motherboard
-Connect everything
-Reformat your HD

I would be careful though, If that PSU is bad, it could cause the new mobo to die. I've never seen it happen but I'm sure it could happen.

[`Air]

thanks for all the help so far. another question, if i buy the same mobo (DFI Ultra-D), would i need to format? cuz i have a shitload of crap on my hd i need for school's mobo doesnt support SATA. im on my bro's comp if i'm confusing anyone. :)

[thrash_head]

If you buy the same chipset, I believe it should work just right with out a format.

So yes, if you buy that mobo, it should work with out a reformat

[Dave]

You don't always have to reformat, I went from nvidia to a ULI chipset and it worked like a charm. Windows detected the new hardware and loaded the correct drivers at startup.
If you can get your boot drive into another computer and run sysprep on it, it's almost certin to work without a freash install. (sysprep strips all the hardware info and drivers out of windows).

[public_slots_free.mL]

^ i went from a nforce2 to an nforce4 and didnt have to format. In my experiences, there is no way to tell if you are going to have to format or not until you put the new mobo in. Sometimes its worked for me, other times it hasnt.

[`Air]

thanks for all the info. :)

just another question, is it safe to plug in a 20pin PSU with a 24 pin mobo?

[public_slots_free.mL]

Most psu's or mobos (one of them) come with the adapter so you can do this.

[thrash_head]

It is safe, I plug 24 pin PSU's into 20pin Motherboards all of the time. It only fits one way, so you shouldn't screw it up.

[eyez]

It is safe, I plug 24 pin PSU's into 20pin Motherboards all of the time. It only fits one way, so you shouldn't screw it up.

only opposite. hmm, public ill go see if i have one, thanks. :D

*on bro's account* will that get me banned? if so im sorrrrry.

[eyez]

we couldn't find the adapter thing. so does any know if a 20pin PSU can work safely with a 24pin mobo?

[andr3w]

yup, just make sure u read the motherboard manual and see which 4 pins to leave out.

[eyez]

thanks :)

[Janus]

it will, but I don't recommend using it like that for an extended period of time.

[thrash_head]

http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/std/sku=00444

Don't know anything about that company, but i found that. Its cheap enough so, i would try it.

EDIT: I would get this one...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16812183045

[eyez]

it will, but I don't recommend using it like that for an extended period of time.

extended being how long? months? years? and will that adapter help?