Vista - Broken Motherboard?

**PainlessTorture** · 07-10-2009

Hey guys, I was just wondering if it was possible for the computer to boot with a broken motherboard ...

I thought without the motherboard you wouldnt even be able to get to the BIOS ... is this right?

Thanks

**Brink** · 07-10-2009

It may still work with only whatever is broken not working, but it may also shortout and fry everything connected to it. It just really depends on what is broken on the motherboard. If it's just a broken SATA port or PCI connector, then it may be ok. If it any part of the actual motherboard itself, then I would not risk using it again.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**stoneys-nutz** · 07-10-2009

Hello Fmjc001,
What makes you think the motherboard is broken ?.

**PainlessTorture** · 07-10-2009

Would the computer have been able to get to the desktop with the least amount of damage to the motherboard?

**PainlessTorture** · 07-10-2009

Quote: Originally Posted by stoneys-nutz

Hello Fmjc001,
What makes you think the motherboard is broken ?.

A computer tech told my friend her motherboard was broken ... but I think he was just scamming her

**Brink** · 07-10-2009

Do you notice any obvious physical damage to the motherboard?

If it is even the slightest bit broken, then it could cause the computer to not boot from it anymore, depending on what is broken of course.

**stoneys-nutz** · 07-10-2009

As Brink said in his post, it depends on what is "broken", so it's kinda hard to say with any certainty as to it booting or not. If it got to the desktop then either it's not serious or it's not broken. What issue was she having with it ?.

**PainlessTorture** · 07-10-2009

Quote: Originally Posted by Brink

Do you notice any obvious physical damage to the motherboard?

If it is even the slightest bit broken, then it could cause the computer to not boot from it anymore, depending on what is broken of course.

No, it looks completly fine. I think it may have been a virus and the tech just decided to scam her. She said she got some warnings about low disk space and the AV couldnt install new updates because of the lack of space then one day it just went to the desktop with most of the icons missing and no explorer and a grey wallpaper ...

**stoneys-nutz** · 07-10-2009

It does sound like a software/OS issue rather than a hardware problem, i would try a repair first, or even a re-install. (cheaper anyway)

**Brink** · 07-10-2009

Quote: Originally Posted by Fmjc001

Quote: Originally Posted by Brink

Do you notice any obvious physical damage to the motherboard?

If it is even the slightest bit broken, then it could cause the computer to not boot from it anymore, depending on what is broken of course.

No, it looks completly fine. I think it may have been a virus and the tech just decided to scam her. She said she got some warnings about low disk space and the AV couldnt install new updates because of the lack of space then one day it just went to the desktop with most of the icons missing and no explorer and a grey wallpaper ...

Well, in that case, I say go for it and see if it will boot from the installation DVD and go from there. To be safe though, I would recommend to only have the bare minimum hardware (ex: RAM, cards, etc...) connected to the motherboard to prevent it from possible damaging to much.

07-10-2009	#1 (permalink)
PainlessTorture Windows Vista™ Ultimate x64 471 posts	Broken Motherboard? Hey guys, I was just wondering if it was possible for the computer to boot with a broken motherboard ... I thought without the motherboard you wouldnt even be able to get to the BIOS ... is this right? Thanks
My System Specs

07-10-2009	#2 (permalink)
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,963 posts	Re: Broken Motherboard? It may still work with only whatever is broken not working, but it may also shortout and fry everything connected to it. It just really depends on what is broken on the motherboard. If it's just a broken SATA port or PCI connector, then it may be ok. If it any part of the actual motherboard itself, then I would not risk using it again. Hope this helps, Shawn
My System Specs

07-10-2009	#3 (permalink)
stoneys-nutz Vista Ultimate x64, SP2 1,446 posts	Re: Broken Motherboard? Hello Fmjc001, What makes you think the motherboard is broken ?.
My System Specs

07-10-2009	#4 (permalink)
PainlessTorture Windows Vista™ Ultimate x64 471 posts	Re: Broken Motherboard? Would the computer have been able to get to the desktop with the least amount of damage to the motherboard?
My System Specs

07-10-2009	#5 (permalink)
PainlessTorture Windows Vista™ Ultimate x64 471 posts	Re: Broken Motherboard? Quote: Originally Posted by stoneys-nutz Hello Fmjc001, What makes you think the motherboard is broken ?. A computer tech told my friend her motherboard was broken ... but I think he was just scamming her
My System Specs

07-10-2009	#6 (permalink)
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,963 posts	Re: Broken Motherboard? Do you notice any obvious physical damage to the motherboard? If it is even the slightest bit broken, then it could cause the computer to not boot from it anymore, depending on what is broken of course.
My System Specs

07-10-2009	#7 (permalink)
stoneys-nutz Vista Ultimate x64, SP2 1,446 posts	Re: Broken Motherboard? As Brink said in his post, it depends on what is "broken", so it's kinda hard to say with any certainty as to it booting or not. If it got to the desktop then either it's not serious or it's not broken. What issue was she having with it ?.
My System Specs

07-10-2009	#8 (permalink)
PainlessTorture Windows Vista™ Ultimate x64 471 posts	Re: Broken Motherboard? Quote: Originally Posted by Brink Do you notice any obvious physical damage to the motherboard? If it is even the slightest bit broken, then it could cause the computer to not boot from it anymore, depending on what is broken of course. No, it looks completly fine. I think it may have been a virus and the tech just decided to scam her. She said she got some warnings about low disk space and the AV couldnt install new updates because of the lack of space then one day it just went to the desktop with most of the icons missing and no explorer and a grey wallpaper ...
My System Specs

07-10-2009	#9 (permalink)
stoneys-nutz Vista Ultimate x64, SP2 1,446 posts	Re: Broken Motherboard? It does sound like a software/OS issue rather than a hardware problem, i would try a repair first, or even a re-install. (cheaper anyway)
My System Specs

07-10-2009	#10 (permalink)
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,963 posts	Re: Broken Motherboard? Quote: Originally Posted by Fmjc001 Quote: Originally Posted by Brink Do you notice any obvious physical damage to the motherboard? If it is even the slightest bit broken, then it could cause the computer to not boot from it anymore, depending on what is broken of course. No, it looks completly fine. I think it may have been a virus and the tech just decided to scam her. She said she got some warnings about low disk space and the AV couldnt install new updates because of the lack of space then one day it just went to the desktop with most of the icons missing and no explorer and a grey wallpaper ... Well, in that case, I say go for it and see if it will boot from the installation DVD and go from there. To be safe though, I would recommend to only have the bare minimum hardware (ex: RAM, cards, etc...) connected to the motherboard to prevent it from possible damaging to much.
My System Specs

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