B760M-Plus WiFi II/Core i5 14400 debugging advice

[dch53]

Hi.

I built a new computer that was working fine but I had to remove and replace the motherboard. Now I have a dead computer!

Initially, the VGA LED stayed on. With built-in graphics the advice is "remove the CPU and inspect it and the socket". As I expected both are pristine.

The advice then is "replace the CPU". Really?

I put the CPU back in and now, not only does the VGA LED stay on, the green Boot and red CPU LEDs come back on and stay on.

Do I really need to replace the CPU? Mightn't the problem be with the motherboard?

Sounds like a very expensive debugging process.

Does anyone have any advice please?

Thanks.

[achugh · Accepted solution]

Hi @dch53 do you have the previous motherboard since you mentioned that you replaced the board? If you do have the previous board that was working, can you test your CPU in that board?

The lights are really telling you that the problem is in the CPU or GFX module detection. Since you are using built-in GFX which is also provided by CPU so yes, it is highly likely that when you took the CPU out, that it could be electrostatically damaged. This is not something you can see as it is not a physical damage. While this type of damage is rare it is not outside the possibility and this is why most motherboard installation instructions mention to use an electrostatic band to protect the CPU and other electronic components from this type of damage.

If you have a repair shop or a friend who can help, they can also test your CPU into a working board to confirm that the CPU has been damaged or not. Good luck!

[dch53]

Thanks. I reluctantly bought a new CPU but the result was the same. When that didn't work I took it to the service department of the place I bought all the components. Simply replacing components until I found the problem didn't seem like a good option. I asked them to test the old CPU too. If it works I'll upgrade one of my old computers.

Even if it had occurred to me to test the CPU in another PC, I don't have one with the LGA1700 socket.