Have I killed my Mobo

[ptitterington]

Having just added a new graphics card, sound card and DVD player I was feeling pretty happy with my rig.
Then today It started to start up fine but when I put the arrow over the start logo the hourglass would remain for about 2 minutes .
Anyway I deleted some clutter and notices that I was only showing 256 ram sb 512
So i removed the graphics card to get at the memory (bad design)
and swapped it around, still 256 tried again (taking precautions as per the sticky post above) then nothing I could not even get to the bios.
Beep beep beep and the LED shows C1 (auto detect memory.)

I must say that as the memory went into the slots there was a crunchy gritty sound. All looks very clean.

As I need a machine I moved my HD as a slave into this old machine and also the memory which shows as 512 and will hope for your help.
I have put in an old graphic card 128 sdram that I know is OK but the same result.
I cleared the CMOS but it did not help.
Any Ideas

Spec.
Epox 8kta3pro, 1.4Athlon 2x256sdram IIyama Vision master pro454 Creative sound blaster Audigy Geforce 4 TI 4200 TDK cd writer 24 10 40 Dvd player Maxtor 7200 20 gig Seagate 7200 40gig printer scanner etc.

 

[Spliffmeister]

it sounds as though you might have damaged one of the sdram slots in your Mobo... as you've tested the Ram etc and it all seems to work on your old mobo it looks as though youve eliminated all other possibilities..... i hope for your sake i'm wrong

 

[PanicX]

I hope your mobo is still under warrantee as I'd get a replacement if you can. Try using only one of the dimms in either socket. If you still can't boot, consult your manual about the beep codes and be sure its a RAM failure.

Other than that I'd try re-seating every component, including the CPU just to be sure nothings loose. Then call and complain about your situation to Epox and see if they cut you any slack.

 

[ptitterington]

Thanks for the replies.

Well

After getting sorted and preparing to buy the Asus A7v333 which I have just used on my dads machine I had one last try.

I poked the slots with a couple of wooden cocktail sticks and removed some tiny bits of plastic. The stick of 128 worked but with no other peripherals fitted the LED only proceded a little.
I put in the old 256 sticks same wiggling etc and all is good.
bit by bit all re connected and fingers crossed all is as good as can be.
All i now need is a Free DVD player with more than 30 days.
The sas upshot is that I have had to remove real 1 player that could play everything (even porno) but it appeated to be what was slowing up the startup!!!!! odd
Pete £90 BETTER OFF THAN YESTERDAY

 

[Rick]

Once one DIMM goes, they all start to go.. I know from experience.

Some things I've seen new computer builders do are not putting enough spacers between the case and the motherboard. It's really important to put those extra case spacers under/around the IDE ports and edge of the boad if possible.

You may even want to prop a few under your DIMM slots with a non-conductive covering such as electrical tape or a rubber cap if it still does not feel solid enough.

DDR and Athlon heatsinks are especially tough to wrestle in there, and as much extra reinforcement as you can get.

Cleaning your DIMMs is recommended since good contact between pins is always important. I have a satin-tipped catridge cleaner I use for cleaning DIMMs out. Dab on a little alcohol (dries fast) and clean away... It may help if you find something similar.

 

[ptitterington]

Yes you are right the board lacks support and the cases are obviously supplied with the cheapest of fixings. A few more pennies and fixing in the motherboard would be a lot safer.

I did have the memory in 1 and 3 because I read in a post that that was better for some reason. I now have it in 1 and 2.

Also I still have the problem when I restart the desktop loads fine vut when I put the pointer over the start and taskbar it becomes a hourglass and will not allow access for about 1 minute.
I cant fins any operations running in the background that may cause this and I am able to open folders and shortcuts from the desktop.
Win xp home ed.