PC hardware question

Technology and Internet
#1

I have a PC, which is occasionally used for gaming (not much else), and over the last few months has experienced (escalating issues). These include

  • Not recognising drives
  • Not recognising RAM
  • No sound
  • No display
  • No internet

The PC was purchased (second hand) around 4 years ago. It has a M5A97 Evo main board, AMD Phenom CPU, 16 GB RAM and an EVGA GTX 770 graphics card (4GB)

I have rectified the first a number of times via unplugging/re-plug cables and restart (leaving only one plugged in). For the RAM, re-seating works.

The last three are recent. I have not found a solution to the sound issue (audio devices are recognised when plugged in, though no sound out or in) — the sound card is on the main board. I could try a USB sound card, though the other issues imply a deeper problem?

For no visible display, a restart (or multiple) routinely rectifies this. No Ethernet (as in no internet connection) was yesterday.

My question is, do I replace the main board (and I assume this will require a re-install of windows and start from scratch, given drivers?)? Or should I get someone to look at it?

As it is not used that often, it is not a high priority to $$$.

Any advice appreciated.

#2

Sounds like a dodgy motherboard. Is it on the latest firmware?

#3

Try changing the battery on the motherboard. Usually a cheap & readily available CR2032.
If it’s flat nothing is saved in the bios settings, so when you boot you have to start from scratch again.

#4

First I would probably start with, checking on drivers installed an up-to-date correctly.

I’d also be checking this.

As well is that, you should be able to confirm if it’s the battery by checking in the UEFI/BIOS management interface at start-up.

No joy after all that

That would be my guess. As well.

#5

I had a PC with weird random issues. Solved most of them by removing all the heat sinks and cleaning the old thermal paste off them, then reinstalling with new thermal paste.

#6

My PC have the similar type of problem. My front sound port, USB port isn’t working from when i set it up. The age of my PC is 3 .5 years now. Any advice for me?

#7

Make sure the cables are properly connected to the motherboard jumpers. There’s a cluster of about 9 +/- jumpers that control the front panel (pwr, reset, light, etc) and there will be an internal USB plug that needs to be connected to the motherboard. You’ll probably have 2 or 3 motherboard USB jumper areas. They should be labelled on the motherboard.

#8

I have updated the bios and updated the audio driver (multiple times), amongst other things.

Still no audio. Going to take it to someone…