Member Avatar for Omni

So how can you determine a motherboard failure is the culprit for no POST? Here’s my story

I recently acquired an Acer Aspire M5700 Desktop system. It was an acceptable system but the chassis it came in was truly horrid. Having a left over antec case I wasn’t using I swapped the hardware into the antec case. Everything worked fine during initial booting. Fine, didn’t think about it for the rest of the day. Later in the evening I decided that I would use this system for my media center. I swapped out graphics cards with my old media center graphics card, and for some strange reason never got a video signal from either systems. I thought that was odd, so I swapped the video cards back to their original computer. The old Media center computer displayed just fine, but I still had the same problem with the Acer hardware. At first I thought it was the graphics card, so I took it out and tried the onboard video to no avail. So I went through the exhausting process of trying to rule out what hardware was causing the problem.

I tried replacing the CPU, RAM, PSU, and Graphics Cards but still the same problem. I would remove the RAM but I would get no POST or beep codes (even with speakers plugged in). I flashed the BIOS and replaced the CMOS battery but still no video. The board powers up the fans, LEDS, disk and hard drives effortlessly. But no video input no matter what method I use. I even tried it on different monitors. Did I somehow mess up my motherboard by swapping it out? Is that even possible??

Any help or speculations would be great right about now seeing how I cant get warranty on just a motherboard.

  • 3 Contributors
  • 3 Replies
  • 358 Views
  • 5 Days Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by Omni

Dani AI

Generated

Given the extensive component swapping already described by , a board-level fault or the CPU power/signal path is now the most likely culprit. Before assuming the motherboard is dead, try the following focused checks — they catch a lot of otherwise-mystifying “no POST, no beep” cases.

  • Bench-test the board outside the case with only the essentials: CPU, one known-good RAM stick (in the manufacturer-recommended slot), PSU 24‑pin and EPS/4(8)‑pin plugged, speaker, and video (onboard or single GPU). This rules out case shorts and miswired front-panel connectors.
  • Confirm the CPU 4/8‑pin (EPS) connector is present and fully seated. Fans can spin on only the 24‑pin while the CPU gets no power.
  • Inspect the CPU socket and CPU pins/contacts for bent pins, debris or damaged pads. Bent sockets/pins are a frequent silent POST killer.
  • Verify the PC speaker and header with a known-good speaker so you don’t miss beep codes; some OEM boards also mute beeps unless the speaker is present.
  • Look over the board for physical damage: bulging/leaking capacitors, burn marks around the VRMs or the CPU area, cracked components, or a dislodged heatsink.
  • Use a PSU tester or swap in a verified-good PSU (not just a high-capacity unit) — failing rails can let fans spin while preventing POST.
  • If available, plug in a POST/debug card or check any motherboard LEDs; they often give a code where beeps do not.

If none of those steps produces POST, the motherboard is likely dead or has an irrecoverable fault. For next steps, document the exact board model/revision and PSU/GPU models (as suggested), report bench-test results (as suggested), and consider either sourcing an identical OEM donor board or a system-level warranty/repair option. Take anti-static precautions and avoid forcing or bending anything during inspection.

Recommended Answers

All 3 Replies

Member Avatar for Ponomous

i am assuming the specs at the bottom of your post were the specs for the dead system. Could you also post the power supply and the graphics card you swapped into the system? just so we cover everything that has been in the computer.

Member Avatar for caperjack

i am assuming the specs at the bottom of your post were the specs for the dead system. .

don't assume that, as talked about computer is an Acer ,and sig computer is a Compaq .

my question is did you try running it in its old tower,before you took it all apart

Edited by caperjack because: n/a
Member Avatar for Omni

That signature was for the system I used to use back when I first started this account, so its not applicable (I should really update that)

I've swapped out the PSU box with a high capacity unit as well as a compairable unit used for a similar system with identical results... nothing.

Also I dont see the reason of switching graphics cards if I cant even get a POST when I use the onboard video, or that I dont get a POST BEEP CODE when I remove all the RAM

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.