Norm X wrote:
I finally got my desktop PC to show a boot screen, after I re-seated the
Q9650 CPU chip. I removed the GPU card and HDMI output. Instead, I plugged
in a VGA monitor. Windows reported errors and would not boot. This happens
reproducibly when there are RAM error. I re-seated the RAM chips that were
loose. Then I ran Linux dongle 'check memory ' app that Paul suggested. It
immediately reported numerous error. That and the fact that the CPU
temperature got critical suggests a bad motherboard. I will need to buy a
new MOBO.

That PC is my research computer. I do better radiological computing than
employed radiologists who don't have time to spare. I have set up a GoFundMe
page:

https://www.gofundme.com/mri-3d-imag...r-me-and-world

, which I set up to raise funds for my PC repair so I can carry on with MRI
3D reconstruction. On the page, I display an image of CT 3D reconstruction .
Mint Medical is the German company, funded by the German Cancer Society,
https://mint-medical.com.

Please visit this page and please donate so that advanced radiological
computing can be supported. The image shown is a result of my FOI data
request. My kid sister had open heart surgery. Because of my medical
condition with a major left chest wall defect, I would not be eligible for
surgery and I would be expected to ask for Medically Assisted dying. I don't
want to die.

Please make a small donation for scientific research. Donors can get some
free publicity that might be of value for professionals.

Thank you.


Intel DQ45CB (microatx with Q45, one DVI-I, one DVI-D for integrated graphics)
("Memory Type: DDR2 SDRAM") Likely 16GB address space. Usual
Intel preferences (bytewide memory mainly, 8 chips per side). $30+ship

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-DQ45C...d/163795865116

Takes Q9650, although power looks to be three phase or so.
The BIOS version is missing from the table! What does that
mean ?

http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Intel/DQ45CB.html

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us...op-boards.html

You could check locally, and see if any are available.
These likely started as a "package of 10" motherboards,
and the seller is parting them out one board at a time.

The Q45 has an internal GPU, and also has Management Engine (boo!).

I would check your local Ebay and see if something similar is available.
The part number on this one, suggests it started life in a "box of one",
so probably came with a single SATA cable and an I/O plate.

https://www.ebay.de/p/Intel-DQ45CB-L...board/71439276

One problem with these tail-ender products, is never knowing
whether the support info on them is correct or not. Like, BIOS
version.

We get refurbs over here, and I managed to get one downtown here
with Windows 7 on it. And, the shop owner gave me a hologram DVD
to go with (because refurbs don't have a "restore image", so
you're left to your own devices to restore the OS later). It came
with a COA sticker, so reinstall is possible. I don't know if
other countries have this "wealth of electronic garbage", but
we seem to be swimming in it here. I was surprised that some would
be sitting in a shop window here, but it was. These will likely
be too expensive, and pointless, when all you need is a motherboard.

The Q45 chipset seems to support DDR2 and DDR3, because I can find
items with both kinds of sockets. You have to check carefully if
you expect to reuse the RAM you've got. I think the DDR3 would
work a tiny bit better.

And motherboards could be ATX, microATX, or BTX. The BTX is no
good for a regular ATX computer case, so don't buy one of those.
I think the Intel board above is microATX. Dell likes to use BTX
in that era of motherboard.

Baby boomers have to expect this kind of medical care.
I'm getting a CT scan this week, but the doctor warned
me that it's likely I won't be treated. Just a bunch of
radiation for nothing. That's probably why I had
low priority in the queue. I don't actually
know why they got around to me...

Good luck with your project,
Paul


Hi,

History: my MCP73VE PC was working when I transported it by car to shop to
see about a new CPU (Q9650) cooler fan. When I brought it back home I
dusted the CPU Cooler duct and tightened the CPU screws. Nothing I haven't
done in the past.

Current work: When I got home the PC would not boot, did not show the POST
screen and gave me no access to BIOS program or F12 multiboot selection.
I left it for a few days and consulted WWW for ideas. One idea related to
the Battery. I checked the battery, in place with a multimeter. Other than
the CPU, I can find no chips requiring a push to resocket. I checked the
power/data connections to my SSD SATA drives.

My conclusion is that maybe my Intel Q9650 is not working for some reason.
When I last renewed my PSU I used better thermal grease. I think worrying
about the socket CPU would not be fruitful. On the other hand the Intel
Q9650 got fried by static? To me, this is not reasonable because it is
fully enclosed in metal.

Maybe the MOBO got damaged? My new PSU gave voltages that permitted PC
boot. I have a MCP73VE design PDF schematic that says "Voltage design
should be covered +5V, +3.3V, +12V, +5VSB, -12V (attention to 12V output
capability)" As I reported here earlier -12V is near zero but the PC has
always booted. I think this is universal since PSUs never give -12V

I have the SSD SATA drives that retain 11+ years of work. There are a
number of valuable parts to carry over to my next MOBO, if required: 8GB
of DDR2 Samsumg memory, Intel Q9650 if not damaged, GTX970 GPU, new PSU

I would welcome suggestions. Thanks.