Visual problems with motherboard.

[Swifty]

Hey there I am just looking to get a second opinion on a computer my uncle has, his son wanted to build into a new case and he basically called me over after half of the job was done because his son was impatient so I just ended up plugging in a couple of cables that weren't already done so. It powered on so I assumed I was finished then today he called me again saying his son turned it on and got on the computer for about 10 minutes then it froze and the screen went black.

I came by after work checked all the cables they were connected properly and I tried two methods of plugging in the monitor, on-board graphics card vga no signal and HDMI from the off board graphics card and still no signal. The actual computer itself powers everything the cpu fan, case fans and the graphics card as well.

I have tried switching the signal on the monitor itself but it is auto detect. I found some motherboard pegs running around loose as well and found out that some of them were not installed underneath the board so I got them in there but still no avail, I came to the conclusion it was the Motherboard might not be functioning correctly and needs to be replaced but I wanted to hear what everyone else thinks.

Thanks.

 

[Layback Bear]

I first would inquire if anybody was in the computer after you left the first time.
I would try re-seating the video card and ram and check all connection again.
Check and see if the motherboard alignment pin is aligned with proper hole.

Could their be some motherboard stands (pegs) installed in the wrong places shorting out the motherboard?

If I had to fix it I would take the computer completely apart and start over.

Do you have another monitor to test with.

 

[Britton30]

Is there a DVI connection available? I'd try that before HDMI. You may have to rebuild the whole thing since it sounds like the kid was in a big hurry.

 

[Swifty]

I took the whole thing apart and reinstalled the pegs myself took the graphics card and ram out and put everything back together, he also had a DVI attachment for the vga cable but most of the male pins were stripped from it so I had nothing to really use in substitute. From what I was told the two kids were using a magnetized screw driver and they were unable to get the pin holding the graphics card in place off so they pushed the pin down with the screw driver, I thought maybe they nicked something on the board itself. I really hate coming in with a half done job and not sure what happened prior to it.

 

[Layback Bear]

I think what I would do is get the kids a Pet Rock to play with and recommend to your Uncle that they have made a pile of junk out of the computer. If they installed the cpu their is probably another mess. You could spend a life time trying to fix this computer.

 

[bobkn]

I think what I would do is get the kids a Pet Rock to play with and recommend to your Uncle that they have made a pile of junk out of the computer. You could spend a life time trying to fix this computer.

Cruel.

I wonder what age these "kids" are. Sounds like the assembly method was heavy-handed.

 

[Swifty]

I think they just entered their teens, sadly I agree with the pet rock statement. They should have tinkered around with a less expensive computer because now It's just left up to process of elimination, buy one part if it works great if not on to the next.

 

[vaidas3]

I think there is possibility that motherboard got short circuited due to incorrect installation or lose metal parts.. so first thing to replace would be motherboard. If this pc worth fixing of course.

I would never give good expensive pc for kids to assemble.. you can buy some old still working Pentium 3 or 4 or even older pc and give it for kids to play.. of course you need to be careful especially with such parts as PSU as they can electrocute person.

 

[Britton30]

Sorry to hear that Swifty, you might take a close look at the board to see if there could be bad capacitors, they' look "puffed out" or just be plain split. They generally look like a shiny metal cylinder.

 

[Swifty]

It's okay I just want to have a few idea's to go on before telling my uncle he is in for buying new parts he wasn't too happy and had a few words to exchange with his child. But hey you don't go into building computers and expect to walk away with the cheap expenses.

Thanks guys ill check for the capacitors but I am going to hopefully assume its the board. I will keep you guys updated