Scratched Mobo

pixieskip · 11-January-04, 07:14 AM

I have an Epox 8rda3+ motherboard that has been working fine for about 6 months, but i have just installed a water cooling system and it hasnt worked since. It powers up, fans whirl, nothing comes up on the monitor then after about 5 seconds it starts beeping at me.

So being very confused, because i couldnt figure out what was wrong i decided to take it apart and there it was, on the back of my mobo a SCRATCH, about 3mm long just above my northbridge.

Im assuming that the scratch is my problem, but can it be fixed or am i need of a new mainboard?

j-dogg · 11-January-04, 07:20 AM

Time to RMA if you are lucky Epox will cover damages like that, ECS doesn't. Scratches like that killed my K7S5A.

putwig · 11-January-04, 07:25 AM

The scratch might not be the problem.

Before you shut it off for the last time on air, did you disable "CPU fan detect" in the bios?

pixieskip · 11-January-04, 07:26 AM

Just been to the Epox website and says that warranty does not cover damage caused by tools during build.

Doh

pixieskip · 11-January-04, 07:29 AM

I cant even get into bios, my monitor is just blank. I tried an old graphics card the same.

Then i tried my new gfx card in my old pc and it worked, so its not the card.

Bios might be there, but i cant see it.

TekXoID · 11-January-04, 07:33 AM

What error code is the onboard display reporting?

putwig · 11-January-04, 07:37 AM

Did you disable the CPU fan detect before you took the machine apart to install the waterblock?

Hook a fan to the CPU fan header. I bet you post.

pixieskip · 11-January-04, 07:38 AM

Cant remember exactly what i got to start with, it started with F. So i thought i would reset the bios and now it comes up with C1. This is when i began to take my computer apart and found the scratch.

TekXoID · 11-January-04, 08:02 AM

C1. Memory problem. Swap your RAM.

Evileagle · 12-January-04, 08:45 PM

Scratching traces to the memory slots would also give you a memory error. I would say your board is dead; either that, or you need to plug a fan into the cpu header.

Red02 · 12-January-04, 09:17 PM

Dude I have the exact same board and did the exact same thing when I took my NB Cooler off to add some AS Creq to it. Its not the board cause mine was worse then yours and its working great. Its probably the RAM.

pixieskip · 14-January-04, 02:15 PM

Not the ram!

I have no money as it is, so much for my water cooled dream. It could be some time before I have my pc up and running.

putwig · 14-January-04, 05:38 PM

Did you try hooking up a fan to the CPU fan header?

pixieskip · 16-January-04, 07:17 AM

Sorry Putwig, I missed your question. Remembered to disable the cpu fan.

I also borrowed some ram and now i get an FF post code, but with no count up. Which leads me suspect the bios or the scratch. Have ordered a new bios chip form epox.

Im gonna see how that goes, in the mean time any suggestions.

ZENNZZO · 16-January-04, 08:18 AM

pixieskip,
You are pretty sure about this scratch, Do you know what made it?
Try to find a magnifing glass with sufficient power to look at the traces in the scratches' path.
The coating on EPoX mobos is pretty tough, however a sharp tool, like a screwdriver slipping off a screw, will gouge the traces pretty easy.
Look carefully at the damaged area, you'll be able to see if the traces are broke.
It takes a steady hand and alot of patients but they can be repaired by soldering.
It really depends on the damage and it being isolated to the top layer of the mobo, only.

I try to handle mine like it's brain surgery, but things still happen...good luck!!

11-January-04, 07:14 AM		#1 (permalink)
pixieskip Apex Techie Wannabe	Scratched Mobo I have an Epox 8rda3+ motherboard that has been working fine for about 6 months, but i have just installed a water cooling system and it hasnt worked since. It powers up, fans whirl, nothing comes up on the monitor then after about 5 seconds it starts beeping at me. So being very confused, because i couldnt figure out what was wrong i decided to take it apart and there it was, on the back of my mobo a SCRATCH, about 3mm long just above my northbridge. Im assuming that the scratch is my problem, but can it be fixed or am i need of a new mainboard?

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11-January-04, 07:20 AM		#2 (permalink)
j-dogg Mystical Schwinn Guru	Time to RMA if you are lucky Epox will cover damages like that, ECS doesn't. Scratches like that killed my K7S5A.

11-January-04, 07:25 AM		#3 (permalink)
putwig Dr. Hydro Pimp	The scratch might not be the problem. Before you shut it off for the last time on air, did you disable "CPU fan detect" in the bios?

11-January-04, 07:26 AM		#4 (permalink)
pixieskip Apex Techie Wannabe	Just been to the Epox website and says that warranty does not cover damage caused by tools during build. Doh

11-January-04, 07:29 AM		#5 (permalink)
pixieskip Apex Techie Wannabe	I cant even get into bios, my monitor is just blank. I tried an old graphics card the same. Then i tried my new gfx card in my old pc and it worked, so its not the card. Bios might be there, but i cant see it.

11-January-04, 07:33 AM		#6 (permalink)
TekXoID Banned	What error code is the onboard display reporting?

11-January-04, 07:37 AM		#7 (permalink)
putwig Dr. Hydro Pimp	Did you disable the CPU fan detect before you took the machine apart to install the waterblock? Hook a fan to the CPU fan header. I bet you post.

11-January-04, 07:38 AM		#8 (permalink)
pixieskip Apex Techie Wannabe	Cant remember exactly what i got to start with, it started with F. So i thought i would reset the bios and now it comes up with C1. This is when i began to take my computer apart and found the scratch.

11-January-04, 08:02 AM		#9 (permalink)
TekXoID Banned	C1. Memory problem. Swap your RAM.

12-January-04, 08:45 PM		#10 (permalink)
Evileagle Apex Master Tech Apprentice	Scratching traces to the memory slots would also give you a memory error. I would say your board is dead; either that, or you need to plug a fan into the cpu header.

12-January-04, 09:17 PM		#11 (permalink)
Red02 Freck-hoe-d	Dude I have the exact same board and did the exact same thing when I took my NB Cooler off to add some AS Creq to it. Its not the board cause mine was worse then yours and its working great. Its probably the RAM.

14-January-04, 02:15 PM		#12 (permalink)
pixieskip Apex Techie Wannabe	Not the ram! I have no money as it is, so much for my water cooled dream. It could be some time before I have my pc up and running.

14-January-04, 05:38 PM		#13 (permalink)
putwig Dr. Hydro Pimp	Did you try hooking up a fan to the CPU fan header?

16-January-04, 07:17 AM		#14 (permalink)
pixieskip Apex Techie Wannabe	Sorry Putwig, I missed your question. Remembered to disable the cpu fan. I also borrowed some ram and now i get an FF post code, but with no count up. Which leads me suspect the bios or the scratch. Have ordered a new bios chip form epox. Im gonna see how that goes, in the mean time any suggestions.

16-January-04, 08:18 AM		#15 (permalink)
ZENNZZO Direct Cool Hoe	pixieskip, You are pretty sure about this scratch, Do you know what made it? Try to find a magnifing glass with sufficient power to look at the traces in the scratches' path. The coating on EPoX mobos is pretty tough, however a sharp tool, like a screwdriver slipping off a screw, will gouge the traces pretty easy. Look carefully at the damaged area, you'll be able to see if the traces are broke. It takes a steady hand and alot of patients but they can be repaired by soldering. It really depends on the damage and it being isolated to the top layer of the mobo, only. I try to handle mine like it's brain surgery, but things still happen...good luck!!