Need help diagnosing a motherboard \ VOGONS

Need help diagnosing a motherboard

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First post, by weldum

Posted on 2018-02-24, 08:09

weldum Offline

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Posts: 495
Joined: 2016-02-16, 07:25
Location: Mendoza-Arg

Hi, I have found in the street a computer case with motherboard, processor and video card in there.
The processor and video card works well but the motherboard presents a weird issue.

Video Card: Nvidia GeForce 9500GT 512MB
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 x2 5000+ AM2

Motherboard: Biostar A770 A2+

The issue is that, the first time I turn it on, it POST flawless, but as soon as i restart the pc it doesn't POST anymore.
I have a PCI POST card and it shows that the board gets stuck in some point. Can't find the problem because don't have the manual of the card.
Later I will post some pictures (here it's 5 AM) but now I need some ideas for troubleshooting.
Thanks.

DT: R7-5800X3D/R5-3600/R3-1200/P-G5400/FX-6100/i3-3225/P-8400/D-900/K6-2_550
LT: C-N2840/A64-TK57/N2600/N455/N270/C-ULV353/PM-1.7/P4-2.6/P133
TC: Esther-1000/Esther-400/Vortex86-366
Others: Drean C64c/Czerweny Spectrum 48k/Talent MSX DPC200/M512K/MP475

Reply 1 of 4, by Ozzuneoj

Posted on 2018-02-24, 12:42

Ozzuneoj Offline

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Check for leaking or swollen capacitors. A cheap board from that era is very likely to have bad caps.

Now for some blitting from the back buffer.

Reply 2 of 4, by quicknick

Posted on 2018-02-24, 22:34

quicknick Offline

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Posts: 634
Joined: 2017-10-30, 23:53
Location: RO

Here are two manuals for your postcard. I hope there are no problems with copyright&stuff...

Filename: PC-Analyzer-manual.pdf
File size: 3.87 MiB
Downloads: 35 downloads
File license: Fair use/fair dealing exception

Filename: manual_postcard_32.pdf
File size: 1012.48 KiB
Downloads: 32 downloads
File license: Fair use/fair dealing exception

Reply 3 of 4, by weldum

Posted on 2018-02-24, 22:45

weldum Offline

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Rank: Member
Posts: 495
Joined: 2016-02-16, 07:25
Location: Mendoza-Arg

Biostar is a cheap brand? I thought it was a good brand.
Is there any other way to test if a capacitor is bad? because everything looks normal to me, no leaking or bulged cap.
Also, after more testing, the board just booted straight to Lubuntu (i used it for testing). It seems that at start, with the CMOS cleared, it does several checks and restart the computer, only to do the same tests. I managed to enter to the setup and disable that thing.
Also noticed that the bios is called Phoenix WorkstationBios, it seemed weird to me because I always have seen AwardBios.

Anyway the things works well now. Thanks Ozzuneoj and quicknick !!

Reply 4 of 4, by gdjacobs

Posted on 2018-02-25, 04:47

gdjacobs Offline

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weldum wrote:
Biostar is a cheap brand?

Yes, but not the cheapest.

All hail the Great Capacitor Brand Finder

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