Ok, so here is my story.
I have had my computer running for about a year now without any hardware changes, but this week I had the bright idea of rearranging my computers power cords on the inside of the tower. After making the computer look pretty I went to turn it on and it started smoking. I turned off the power and opened my computer to find that I shorted one of my wires that leads to the computer's case fan. At this point I thought to myself that it was not a big deal and I would just buy a new fan. Well I slept on these events and then woke and wanted some files off of the computer so I turned it on (one fan short), but the computer quickly shutdown after no more than 1 second. It cycle through turning on and shutting off until I pull the power. While the computer is in its on state, I notice all of the fans are working and my video card is also working.
To troubleshoot I have stripped my system down to the essentials, and turned it on.
I wonder whether the CPU is damaged or whether the motherboard is shorting. I am at a lost and I could use someones help on what tests I should start doing.
Was the case fan 3-pin mainboard powered or 4-pin power-supply powered? If it was a 4-pin, you hurt your power supply by shorting it. If it was a 3-pin, the damage is probably to your mainboard, but possibly to the power supply as well.
Tests: Goto google and get instructions for testing an ATX power supply (you can use a specialized tester device, or a multimeter and a jumper resistor). If it passes the test, then you can be relativly sure that you need a new mainboard.
If it fails the test, you still might need a new mainboard. If this is the case, you need to use a working power supply with the mainboard to see if it is functional.
Before I saw your post, I switched out my PSU with a working one and it was still cycling on and off without any changes.
To answer your question the fan is connected to the PSU through the standard molex connection.
I do not have the proper equipment to test my PSU. Was replacing the PSU with a working a good enough test?
I guess that I most likely damaged the mainboard but I would like to hear what you think. If you do think it is the mainboard then does that mean I might of also damaged my CPU?
CPU is probably OK because the motherbard died protecting it.
You should start looking for an identical (or chipset identical) replacement or your looking at a whole lotta hours in a rebuild unless you didn't load proprietary storage drivers.
So you are saying that the next thing to do is buy a new motherboard.
Ok then, I have a GIGABYTE GA-X48-DS4 LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard (seen HERE). What would be an equal or greater replacement seeing how this motherboard is not sold anymore.
Are you prepared to do a "bare metal" install? This means having the OS install disks, etc.
Are you prepared to do an "after the fact" file transfer? This means installing to a new HDD since you won't be able to save the files from your old one if you install over it.
Unless you have a motherboard with the same southbridge, your HDD will most likely not be bootable by the original OS.
Your repair path really depends on how long you want to stay "down" while you rebuild your PC from scratch.
Your motherboard is available on the secondary market, but as with all discontinued motherboards, the sellers want a premium.
Here's the motherboard spec.
North Bridge: Intel® X48 Chipset South Bridge: Intel® ICH9R
If memory serves me correctly, the Southbridge contains the HDD controller.
Any motherboard with an ICH9R southbridge should boot with your HDD.
Any motherboard in the Gigabyte DS-X48 family is a direct replacement, and there are lots for sale on the 4 letter auction site.
As for other motherboards that may work, look for a 775 mobo with an ICH9R southbridge chipset.
I have done the research (Newegg search) and here are all of the motherboards that match my north bridge and south bridge. The only problem is that I have not shopped for a motherboard in a long time and I do not know which one to get. Some of the most reviewed are close to $300 and that seems to be an outrageous amount.
Please help me by telling me what I need to look for because I do not need any special connection. I just need a pci-e for my video card and a couple of usb ports.
If I have to I will do a clean install of Windows but if I can prevent that by buying one of these motherboards then that would be great.
I really can't answer your question objectively as to what would be best for you.
However, if it were me and time was of the essence and I needed to be fully operational the fastest way I would buy a GA-X48 variant. Since there's a GA-X48-DS5 in your list of search candidates that would make the most sense to me.
