PCA Forums

i just looked at someone's computer today(very quickly), it was a PIII Slot-type board, either biostar or asus. maybe MSI w/2 cd-roms + 2 HDDs.

during POST, it does not recognize any of the devices on IDE channels. also, the devices will not power up. i tried 2 different PSU's and still had same problems.

in the BIOS it had an option (F5) to load setup defaults, tried that, same problems. cpu clock/multi are controlled by dip switches. i saw 2 jumpers and tried both of them to clear CMOS (jumpers were not clearly marked.)

just wondering do you think this board is shot or am i missing something else?

Try a different drive? Most likely the board is bad.

Well the only reason the devices wouldn't power up (assuming you have voltage) is that the controller is holding the reset line on.

Try disconnecting the ribbon cables from the drives but leaving the power cables connected. The HDD should spin up and the CD should allow you to open and close the door. If that's the case, I would have to assume the controller is fried. You could always install a PCI card IDE controller, although if this is a P3 it isn't really worth him to spend the money on the controller and your labor to do a repair install of Windows (which it likely will need if you change the controller). Plus no telling what else is fried.

With Dell selling base budget systems for less than $500, it's a no-brainer.