HTPC mobo

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › HTPC mobo

aucklander

478 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#180995 28-Sep-2015 22:19

Hi Guys,
not sure what I did (something bad I assume), HTPC not starting up. All fans spinning but maybe the mobo is dead? no beep, no nothing. Using discrete graphics, no video signal out. I am willing to replace the mobo but I am after exactly the same model if possible, this would let me just replace mobo without re-installing anything . Would this be this correct?

If I have to start fresh (different mobo), can anyone please give a suggestion as what model number would suit?
I need to be able to re-use all the components, so the new mobo needs to have:
- socket AM2+/AM2
- 4x memory slots (I will have to live with two if this is the only difference)
- one PCIe x1 (Avermedia tv tuner), one PCIe x16 (graphics), two PCI (NovaT 500 + free slot)
- mATX form factor (I hope I got this right)

Something low cost would be ideal, sooooo many problems and trouble with the HTPC idea.... but I got used to record several channels at the same time and watch whenever I have time, and honestly this is what keeps the HTPC in existence. If there would be a proper consumer product able to do the same thing I would switch without hesitation but I never heard of anything able to record 3 different live channels while you watch something else or a recorded tv show...

Many thanks in advance.

mobo Intel DH55PJ, RAM: 4GB RAM, Nova-T 500 HD + Avermedia Trinity tuner card, Geforce 520 video, 120GB SSD Sandisk + 640 WD + 1000SG, Win7 Home Prem 64-bit, Media Portal 1.15.0; BTC 9019URF Cordless Keyboard, Panasonic 55" (HDMI cable), HTPC Case Silverstone Grandia GD05B.

aucklander

478 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#1396197 28-Sep-2015 22:50

How about this one:Asus M2N-MX
http://www.cnet.com/products/asus-m2n-mx-motherboard-micro-atx-socket-am2-geforce-6100-series/specs/

it looks like it will take all the components I already have.
would it be any good for a HTPC please?

turb

880 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 135

#1396237 29-Sep-2015 06:01

Use pricespy whenever I'm buying components. You can filter all the specs you want.

Make sure you tick the "in stock" option. And check the specs on the manufacturers website before you commit.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

turb

880 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 135

#1396238 29-Sep-2015 06:06

You didn't tell us what bad thing you might have done to mess up the board - were you doing something inside the case?

Make sure that all the components are firmly placed into their slots.

Also it might help to tell us the model of the existing mobo.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

aucklander

478 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#1396271 29-Sep-2015 07:40

Hi, pricespy is an excellent suggestion due to the details you can select. I focused on trademe and computer stores but in this instance pricespy is easier.
See my signature for current mobo, CPU and case. I have replaced the Graphics (GT 520) but for some reason the signature did not update...

what happened could be quite a long story. A while back I decided to address the overheating problem by replacing the stock heat sink with an aftermarket one.
So I got one of the fancy Scythe Kozuti http://www.silentpcreview.com/scythe-kozuti . The case is really crammed, I could not fit other HS model, the DVD unit is right above it.
Problem was that in order to install this, you need to disassemble the whole PC as you need to get access to the back of the mobo. Some cases have a removable panel where the CPU is, but not my case. When everything was removed, I decided to make my life easier in the future so I drilled in the bottom of the case 16mm holes where the screws fixing the heat sink are. This way, I can remove it in the future without removing the mobo again.

The stock cooler has a plastic frame around the CPU and another plastic plate on the back of the mobo, just under the CPU. I guess the purpose is to tight them together without bending the mobo. I did not use the plastic backer with the Kozuti, mainly because it moved away and disappeared between the mobo and the case. The installation instructions did not ask for this plastic plate so I was not concerned about it. Consequently, the screws were pulling the new HS against the mobo only, without any reinforcement. The new HS worked like a charm for few days (really low CPU temp showing in SpeedFan) but then something happened and it started overheating again , to the point where it could not go through the boot sequence. I assumed the mobo started to bent slightly thus not keeping the HS parallel and flat against the CPU but maybe under an angle creating a wedge between them where the thermal paste film was broken?... I tried to adjust the position by adjusting the screws through the holes I cut, some minor improvement, but nothing like what it was initially. So the stock cooler went back in and that was 1-2 years ago. The Kozuti was sitting in the box since then.

Now I started to have overheating problems again so I decided to give Kozuti another chance. I did not feel OK about what happened with the plastic backplate before and I wanted this time to use it with the new HS. When I removed the stock HS and the plastic ring around the CPU, the backing plate (again) moved away sliding between the mobo and the case. I tried to get that plate back in place. The only thing I could do was to try and shake the whole PC gently and once I see a corner of it through he holes I drilled, to try and catch it with a small screwdriver and then drag it (at the same time by making some scratches into this backing plate as it would not move, I guess because of all the sharp soldering points on the back of the mobo?) towards the position which would enable me to put the screws through it and attach the Kozuti. I still believe the holes were a good idea, but the screwdriver might have slip once... and touched the back of the mobo. I hoped it is OK but when the job was done the PC would not start. All fans would spin, I hear the HDDs working but there is no beep and no video. Interestingly, the HDD light on the case is dead as well.

This is why I am looking to get the mobo replaced, I believe I might have damaged it...

While removing the HS and re-installing, etc..., I noticed the corners of the CPU are somehow "worn out" like if you slide the HS over the CPU then it would touch on the corners only. Is this possible? There are clear marks on the stock HS (deep scratches) where the edge or the corner of the CPU would be. I hear about lapping the CPU but this would delete the markings on it. I did lap the stock cooler and brought it to a mirror finish (I have polishing / buffing disks and table grinder). Should I try lapping the CPU as well? just on sandpaper on glass (1000 - 1500 grit), no polishing discs.

Assuming there was too much thermal paste used and also assuming that some of it got under the CPU (where the pins are)... could this cause this non-responsive behavior?

Wade

2225 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 373

#1396273 29-Sep-2015 07:43

I have a recently retired HP mobo that could be suitable, is from a HP DX7400 SFF business computer, C2D E6550, mATX, very similar to yours other than no HDMI but probably not a problem as you would be using a graphics card. Mobo model number is MS-7352 Vers 1.0

If it is suitable for you I am sure the price will be right ;)

solival

160 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 20

#1396274 29-Sep-2015 07:44

I would choose mini-ITX only for HTPC solution.

Geek originally from Ukraine :)

Lego

Shop now for Lego sets and other gifts (affiliate link).

aucklander

478 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#1396699 29-Sep-2015 16:15

Wade: I have a recently retired HP mobo that could be suitable, is from a HP DX7400 SFF business computer, C2D E6550, mATX, very similar to yours other than no HDMI but probably not a problem as you would be using a graphics card. Mobo model number is MS-7352 Vers 1.0

If it is suitable for you I am sure the price will be right ;)

Thank you for the offer. That CPU looks OK in the reviews.

I am thinking to one thing: I am pretty sure the location of the CPU on the mobo is not standardized, is it? In other words, the holes I cut in the bottom of the case to access the screws fixing the heat sink, might become redundant and other set of holes might be needed, as the screws are in a different place? The location of other components is standardized due to interchangeability issues (any card needs to fit on any mobo and in any case) but the CPU might be slightly in a different position, as it does not connect to anything on the case... does it make sense what I am saying? The only thing on the case the CPU might have to be aligned with, is the PVC tube for fresh air on SOME cases but I believe that feature became less and less popular?

I would really want to avoid re-doing those holes if possible, but I guess for this to happen I need exactly the same mobo model number... and I did not see anyone selling that model anymore?

turb

880 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 135

#1396718 29-Sep-2015 16:54

It sounds like you only drilled those holes to save having to take the mobo out.

If you're replacing the mobo you'll be able to install the cpu fan in the normal way?

Bear in mind that whenever you drill, grind, polish something, or scrape around in your case with a screwdriver, you're going to generate 10000 metal particles that are going to contaminate your case and cause expensive problems.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

aucklander

478 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#1396730 29-Sep-2015 17:23

Hi, everything was removed when I cut the holes, and then I used a brush to clean the inside very well.
That was done few years back, no issues arising from that...