Question Processor blown?

[Brycesv1]

ok my mom just called me up and said her comp wouldnt turn on, i went out there and checked the cables and switches and everything was normal. i pulled apart the comp and started checking connections when i noticed the fan was loose. with a little wiggling it popped right off of the processor, it had shaken itself loose.

ok my first question: would that prevent the power from coming on at all? i think that even without a fan the comp would at least try to startup before shutting back down. at the moment i cant even get power through the bus.

second question: could i possibly salvage it by scraping off the old thermal compound and buying a new tube of arctic silver?

i can build computers no problem but fixing them once they're gone is another issue

 

[Urwumpe]

If the cooler was loose, it is possible that the CPU overheated and got permanently damaged. Which kind of CPU was it? The older ones lacked often protection, the new CPUs have sensors to prevent such fate.

 

[TSPenguin]

If the processor is malfunctioning or no one is installed, the board should answer with beep codes. If that is not the case, then probably the board is damaged.

 

[n72.75]

Does the motherboard light come on when the power cable is plugged in?

 

[Brycesv1]

ill check the board light in a minute. the process is less than a year old, i shouldnt think it would let itself overheat. and even if it did overheat there should be beep codes when i try to turn it on. if i press the power button on the case nothing happens.

EDIT: the board light does come on so it isnt a problem with the board or power source i think

 

[orb]

Try to turn the computer on without processor. If it isn't turning off instantly, but gives the beep code mentioned by TSPenguin, it can be short circuit inside processor. Some boards or PSUs cut off the power when they detect short circuit.

 

[Brycesv1]

how safe would taking out the processor be? i wouldnt want to damage it by removal. any specific steps or tools i should need?

 

[Urwumpe]

how safe would taking out the processor be? i wouldnt want to damage it by removal. any specific steps or tools i should need?

A screwdriver and no shaky fingers. As long as you don't scratch the mainboard lines, you are fine, some minimal violence is not recommended, but sometimes needed for, example for removing the CPU cooler.

 

[n72.75]

A screwdriver and no shaky fingers. As long as you don't scratch the mainboard lines, you are fine, some minimal violence is not recommended, but sometimes needed for, example for removing the CPU cooler.

DC, temp controlled soldering iron and a 10x loop is all you need if you break something.

 

[Brycesv1]

i just checked the wires leading from the power button thinking one of them might be damaged but they are all fine. its to the point where iv tried and checked so many things that mom is convinced it is damaged beyond repair and i have no idea what im doing lol. she wants to take it to circuit city and have the geek squad look at it. $20 says they wont have a clue either. everytime iv gone there i end up teaching them something

 

[jedidia]

If the processor is not even a year old, it's certainly not burnt out. I have a rather unfortunate configuration in my machine (yeah, screwed it together myself, and used an old case...) and shutdown due to overheat is not very unusual, but I had never a problem with it not working anymore afterwards (obviously...).

If the computer won't even switch on (i.e. the net adapter won't even start), then there's something fishy with power connection somewhere, or with the signal from the switch. Also, it might be possible that your case has an "open" switch, which will prevent the board from starting if the case is open (or the switch broken). Disconnecting the case switch from the motherboard SHOULD redeem this, but I cann't tell if that's the case with all boards.

If there's no case switch and there's just NOTHING happening on switch on, some connection somewhere on the board is broken. I cannot imagine any other cause.

 

[jinglesassy]

she wants to take it to circuit city and have the geek squad look at it. $20 says they wont have a clue either. everytime iv gone there i end up teaching them something

yeah i was setting up a wireless network for my mom and she just called the geek squad before i could arrive and they fried the stupid router so then they sold us another router and then that one doesnt work at all so i never trust the geek squad they are the worst

 

[Brycesv1]

yeah. they didnt know what was wrong. i pointed out that they should use a voltmeter on the power source. that turned out to be the problem. it was putting out enough power to make the board lights come on but not enough to actually run the comp. today we go buy a new PSU and i get to put it in... for free...

 

[Ghostrider]

If I ever had to call anything that is named "Geek Squad", it would be to use them as target practice.