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Who knows anything about computers here?

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 2:35 am
by cathrine
The kind of level of knowledge i'm looking for would be pretty expert knowledge. As some may know, my main computer isn't working at the moment. It doesn't boot up anymore after changing a bios which was downloaded from the net in order to use a new hard drive. I don't think it's any virus thing, but possibly the bios might've corrupted the motherboard somehow. Now, what I'm wondering is whether simply changing the motherboard would result in the computer working again and how easy it would be to change the motherboard myself?

I really don't want to bring it in to be repaired as it has lots of confidential and copyrighted files on the existing hard drive.

Any one able to help? Thanks.

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Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 10:33 am
by helmsc
It's not hard at all ... as long as you get a motherboard that fits the case and supports the CPU and RAM that you have. Just take your time and read the manual on how to install the RAM and CPU. The CPU pins are very delicate and I have seen people snap the pins on a brand new P4.

bios

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:41 pm
by ka7wnf
sounds like your bios upgrade failed. you can buy an eeprom with the correct bios in it and just pop it in to your motherboard. but if you had to update bios just to add a drive maybe it's time for a new one. what do you have now?

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:55 pm
by helmsc
I had not thought of the age issue. You are correct on that. On that note ... a newer motherboard might not fit in the old case without cutting the back of the computer to access the plug-ins (ie. the keyboard and mouse)

bios

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 6:59 pm
by ka7wnf
unless it's the same form factor. IE size, then it will drop right in. PL

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 8:57 am
by helmsc
form factor does not specify where all the plug-ins are. Most boards come with a new back plate that fits their boards (at least now days)