Solved motherboard revival? suitable for Win 7?

[gemini2010]

Hi,

Wondering if anyone could please help me?

I have a desktop computer which I upgraded 2 years ago to an Asus AMD motherboard with 2.6ghz processor and 1gb ram. I didnt take down the model number.
Anyway, long story short, I had it set up running xp for the kids. It never went online, it was basically for school work and games (sims).
It stopped working after a couple of months. The kids told me the screen went funny and then it switched itself off. I didn't bother trying to fix it and put it aside.

On the weekend I dragged it out again to see if I could fix it as I am setting up a home network and thinking about possibly using this computer as the main computer with the printer attached.
I started it up but it kept restarting. I started up in safe mode and it restarted. This continued to happen. I wasn't to fussed about anything that was on the computer so I decided to format it and reload xp. I decided on the full format and this seemed to be going ok until it got towards the end, it said the disk may be damaged. I tried again, this time a quick format, this seemed to work fine, and it started to copy the files across. Then I noticed it start to drop files/not copy them over correctly and I had to keep retrying a lot of files to get it across until in the end it came up with blue screen error. I didnt take note of the errors, but it had different errors occuring each time.
I pulled the hdd out of my other desktop pc and gave that a try in safe mode. It loaded up, but I noticed the display fuzzy and as I was trying to adjust it, the computer restarted. I realised this could not be a hdd error and removed that hdd from the computer to ensure no damage to that hdd. I reinstalled the original hdd back into the computer, I checked everything was connected correctly, and reseated the ram. I defaulted the bios. The problem remains.

I read another forum suggesting a new cmos battery and reseating the ram would fix the error and it did in that particular case, but my clock settings are still current and dont need adjusting.

Can this motherboard be revived and do you think it might be a suitable candidate for win7?

Any help is appreciated as my supplier of this product is no longer available.

 

[Golden]

Hi Gemini,

I certainly think the motherboard might be a candidate for Windows 7 as its not that old, but 1GB RAM is the bare minimum - in practice the PC will struggle to run Windows 7 with 1GB:

Windows 7 system requirements - Microsoft Windows

The issues certainly sounds hardware related, but you seem to have done all the obvious checks. Thus, I recommend running MemTest86+ for 5/6 passes to test the RAM chip/s and RAM slot/slots on the motherboard. This tutorial will help you download MemTest86+ and guide you in running it:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

Post back with your findings.

Regards,
Golden

 

[gemini2010]

Thanks for your help Golden.
I ran the test, well, its still running, unfortunately for me though it is coming up with a lot of errors. At the top of the screen it is saying pass was something like 58% last I checked, but the bottom part of the screen is scrolling in red and last check it had about 2500 errors... It was up to about the 9th test.
IS this the screen of death? Or does this mean the machine needs new RAM to operate? Or should I let it go and see what the end result is for any further indication? I noticed the instructions said it could go overnight !?
It has two slots but only one stick of 1gb...
Thanks again, without this I was completely stuck...

 

[gemini2010]

Another quick update, its been running for 40 mins now and we have top portion of the screen says it has reached 100% pass which confuses me. It appears to be running through the various tests again ie tests 1-9, I'm assuming there are different tests involved though.
Bottom portion of the screen is still scolling in red and we have about 45,000 errors and only 1 pass

 

[Golden]

Hi,

Yes, it does several different check. From the sounds of it, its either:

1. Faulty RAM chip;
2. Faulty RAM slots

It could also be both. If you have a spare compatible RAM chip, you could use that, re-run the tests and see if the slots are good. If they, its simply a case of buying new RAM chips.

Regards,
Golden

 

[gemini2010]

I changed the RAM into slot 2 but it had the same problem.
Just changed the RAM over with RAM from a working machine and the test sems to be running smoothly, there is certainly no scrolling through errors in red at the bottom... will update again!

 

[gemini2010]

Just quickly...
Golden, I noticed you are in the same state as me... although on the other end of town, is there some place you could recommend in the northern area? I had an IT guy here last night although he couldn't really offer any ideas or solutions and recommended building me a new machine.
Also, the working machine I have just ventured into also has just the one RAM stick, but if you look closer onto the stickers it says kit of 2, The IT guy who was here last night said it means that its meant to have 2 sticks of RAM and that it would make the system unstable by not having the other stick.
Both of these computers were built by the same guy.

 

[Colonel Travis]

Having just one stick of a matched pair of RAM won't make it more unstable than if you had both sticks. I've got two sticks of 4GB each in my machine, but if I took one of them out it would still run fine. Like Golden said, the amount you're using is just low for 7 in general.

By the way, I had what appeared to be a dying motherboard in my laptop and I baked it in the oven for 10 minutes and now it's working great. Had always read that you might be successful doing that. It was an old laptop and I said - ah, what the heck, I'll try it.

 

[gemini2010]

The RAM which is in the machine now is testing fine.
Although it has only had one pass, it has a note at the bottom (where it was scrolling in red before) stating that it tests fine and no errors were found.

I need to find some RAM for an Asus motherboard M2N68-AM - 2.6ghz AMD processor. The old RAM is DDR2-800.
I guess this means I can look at getting RAM more suitable for Win7.

Colonel Travis, I had a giggle about baking the laptop, maybe I should get more details from you and do it to my old laptop, it seems to be sooooooo slowww. I have to change the antivirus program to norton, avg is extremely resource hungry, when it updates I can't do a dam thing. Thanks for your input re the RAM too

 

[Golden]

Just quickly...
Golden, I noticed you are in the same state as me... although on the other end of town, is there some place you could recommend in the northern area? I had an IT guy here last night although he couldn't really offer any ideas or solutions and recommended building me a new machine.

Hi,

There is only one place I would recommend to virtually fix PC problems, and that is here : SevenForums has without a doubt the biggest collection of the most experienced people in one place. I recommend exploring suggestions here first before looking at purchasing hardware.

Run MemTest86+ for a minimum of 5/6 passes or until it fails.

I'll also ask dave76 (our resident RAM expert) to have a look at this for you.

Regards,
Golden

 

[Colonel Travis]

Ha, well, I don't know if I'd bake a motherboard if my machine was only slow, gemini. But who knows. My screen had genuine problems, you could tell it was either a bad LCD or a bad GPU or maybe screen wire. Turns out my laptop (Dell Latitude D620) has a history of overheating GPUs, which I didn't know, so I figured that was the culprit and that baking might work. A new motherboard would only cost me about $45, didn't care if I ruined the one in the oven. There are lots of videos on YT, and I haven't found any hard and fast rules to go by, but if you do bake it the rule of thumb appears to be about 200 degrees C (390-400F) for no more than 10 minutes. It worked for me, and it's worked for others -rejoins solder joints that the overheating GPU has loosened. But there is no guarantee because I've read about people trying this and it has not worked. I've also read about people saying it worked temporarily and they baked it again, which helped, but that failure always ultimately happened once more. So I think if you're at this stage be prepared, for The End is near. And again, I would only do this with something you don't mind throwing in the spare parts pile and/or trash if it doesn't pan out.

Golden has given great advice. I'd add that sometimes new RAM can be finicky, so you might need to be patient. I went through three matched sets this past weekend for that 8GB for my desktop. Had random crashing, ran Memtest and had to go back to the store three times before they finally had a set that worked.

 

[gemini2010]

Thanks Colonel,
I was just looking at the page Golden posted 'requirements for win7' and it says win7 requires 1GB ram (32 bit) or 2GB ram (64 bit) this confused me because I had it in my mind that 64 bit would be better than 32 bit therfore requiring more RAM for 32 bit... ? !
I have 64 bit RAM
Opps gotta go plug my laptop in to power... no internet available there... c'mon ADSL!

 

[Nitro58]

virus software

The RAM which is in the machine now is testing fine.
Although it has only had one pass, it has a note at the bottom (where it was scrolling in red before) stating that it tests fine and no errors were found.

I need to find some RAM for an Asus motherboard M2N68-AM - 2.6ghz AMD processor. The old RAM is DDR2-800.
I guess this means I can look at getting RAM more suitable for Win7.

Colonel Travis, I had a giggle about baking the laptop, maybe I should get more details from you and do it to my old laptop, it seems to be sooooooo slowww. I have to change the antivirus program to norton, avg is extremely resource hungry, when it updates I can't do a dam thing. Thanks for your input re the RAM too

about your virus software, most of us here use MSE (it's free). Norton is a resource hog also, both of these are good programs.

www.microsoft.com/download/en/virus-malware.aspx?q=virus

Malwarebytes : Malwarebytes Anti-Malware PRO removes malware including viruses, spyware, worms and trojans, plus it protects your computer

 

[gemini2010]

updating memtest status
wall time 3:18:00, pass 7, errors 0

Nitro 58, I just bought Norton 360 so I have a 12 month subscription for 3 pc's. I was going to put this on my old laptop but I think I might look into MSE if it is less hungry.. I haven't had a look at the sites you posted yet but will do hopefully later today. Thanks for that.

I have to head out, but I might leave the memtest running while I am out.

Thanks to everyone for help and support!

 

[vaidas3]

The RAM which is in the machine now is testing fine.
Although it has only had one pass, it has a note at the bottom (where it was scrolling in red before) stating that it tests fine and no errors were found.

I need to find some RAM for an Asus motherboard M2N68-AM - 2.6ghz AMD processor. The old RAM is DDR2-800.
I guess this means I can look at getting RAM more suitable for Win7.

Colonel Travis, I had a giggle about baking the laptop, maybe I should get more details from you and do it to my old laptop, it seems to be sooooooo slowww. I have to change the antivirus program to norton, avg is extremely resource hungry, when it updates I can't do a dam thing. Thanks for your input re the RAM too

about your virus software, most of us here use MSE (it's free). Norton is a resource hog also, both of these are good programs.

www.microsoft.com/download/en/virus-malware.aspx?q=virus

Malwarebytes : Malwarebytes Anti-Malware PRO removes malware including viruses, spyware, worms and trojans, plus it protects your computer

actually norton antivirus 2012 takes less resources than MSE..
but i dont know if it is same about norton internet security and 360

 

[Dave76]

Hi gemini,
Any errors, even one, in memtest86+ means a RAM failure. This may be due to the RAM or memory controller settings or can be bad RAM.

If you get any errors during memtest86+ you can stop the test.

If you want to try adjusting some of the RAM and memory controller settings maybe we can get it stable.

Install the 'bad' RAM, if it will run long enough to get some information D/L CPUZ.
D/L CPUZ and post a snip of the CPU, Mainboard, Memory, and SPD tabs.
For posting the information , enter 'Snipping tool' in the Start button > Search box, hit enter. Select the area you want to post and save to a convenient place.
How to Post a Screenshot in Seven Forums

Have you been checking your temperatures?
Use Core Temp, to check the CPU temps when at idle, under load and/or testing.
Let us know the minimum and maximum temps you get.

Go to your BIOS and tell us what the CPU, RAM and the CPU integrated memory controller voltages are.

Let us know if you have any questions.

 

[gemini2010]

Hi Dave,
Thanks for your reply. I have been running the memtest with RAM from my working machine for a bit over 10 hours, with 21 pass and 0 error.
I had a quick look into D/L CPUZ. I am assuming it is expected to have the computer running long enough with the bad RAM to run this test. If thats the case, I dont like our chances.
I will have to reinstall the operating system (xp at this stage) while I have my good RAM installed first then I will give it a try after that.

 

[Dwarf]

Given that the good RAM is working perfectly (21 passes with no errors), I see no reason why you shouldn't go ahead and install the OS to see what happens. I don't see the point in trying with the original memory, since you stated:

Bottom portion of the screen is still scolling in red and we have about 45,000 errors

 

[Dave76]

Hi Dave,
Thanks for your reply. I have been running the memtest with RAM from my working machine for a bit over 10 hours, with 21 pass and 0 error.
I had a quick look into D/L CPUZ. I am assuming it is expected to have the computer running long enough with the bad RAM to run this test. If thats the case, I dont like our chances.
I will have to reinstall the operating system (xp at this stage) while I have my good RAM installed first then I will give it a try after that.

You can stop the memtest86+ test.

Good plan, install th OS first.

Just changed the RAM over with RAM from a working machine and the test sems to be running smoothly, there is certainly no scrolling through errors in red at the bottom... will update again!

Also, the working machine I have just ventured into also has just the one RAM stick.
Both of these computers were built by the same guy.

Given that the good RAM is working perfectly (21 passes with no errors), I see no reason why you shouldn't go ahead and install the OS to see what happens. I don't see the point in trying with the original memory, since you stated:

Bottom portion of the screen is still scolling in red and we have about 45,000 errors

The OP has two systems with one RAM card in each system.
They put the good RAM card from the functioning system into the problem system and the RAM passed.
Should be easy to test the bad RAM in the system that previously failed and see if a couple setting changes might get it stable.
Might save them from buying new RAM, which may be inevitable anyway, since if they upgrade to Win7 it will be better to have 2GB RAM.

 

[gemini2010]

OS installed... just getting CPUZ now.
Just a thought, I noticed that the borrowed 'good' RAM is slower? than the original 'bad' RAM... 371Mhz? vs 430Mhz? or something along those lines... does that make any sense and would that cause the crash?