Help

[Rhydian66]

Just tried to install a new processor onto the motherboard of an older computer (running XP home). Couldn't actually get the old chip out, so put it back together and now Windows will not boot at all. I have tried to re-install windows from the original cd, but it gets so far and tells me that vga.sys is corrupt. As far as I know there was no damage done to anything, so any ideas how I fix this problem?

[clocker]

First of all it doesn't sound too good that you couldn't get the old chip out.

The VGA file pertains to your video drivers, I don't know how these may have been corrupted.

[Rhydian66]

That did concern me too. Are files such as vga.sys stored on the hard disc, or are they stored as part of the bios on the motherboard? Because it is possible that a magnetised screwdriver was used to remove the cpu cooling fan and may have come into contact with one or the other. If it is the case (and I just checked- the screwdriver IS bloody magnetic) what bits are going to need replacing?

[clocker]

Magnetic screwdriver?

Tsk,tsk.

Maybe you could clear your CMOS and retry booting into Windows.

[Virtualbody1234]

When you tried to remove the CPU, what was the problem? Did you lift the release leaver?

http://www.cheap-computers-guide.com/images/cpu-installation.jpg

[Rhydian66]

I know. Not clever. Thank god it wasn't my new system. Ok, how do I clear the CMOS? I can't get past the "windows didn't load, try one of these options" screen. I've tried holding (and tapping) f1, f2, f3, f4 and f12 after turning the power on and i'm getting nothing. And cheers for helping here mate, it's appreciated.

[Rhydian66]

Virtualbody 1234, there wasn't a release lever- the pic on your post doesn't resemble the board. From top to bottom it goes: cpu fan, heat sink, chip, board. There's no white plastic surround like on your picture, and no release lever. I've had chips out of other boards before, so this came as a bit of a surprise. I have a nasty suspicion the chip is glued on.

[Virtualbody1234]

What board and CPU is it?

[Virtualbody1234]

How is the heatsink fastened down if there is not a white plastic surround like in the picture? What does it clip into?

[Rhydian66]

AMD Duron 1.2 GHz, K7SEM motherboard. It appears to be plugged directly into the board itself. Clever eh?

[Virtualbody1234]

That board has a socket A.

http://www.ecsusa.com/products/k7sem.html

http://www.ecsusa.com/images/k7sem.jpg

http://www.ecsusa.com/images/k7sem_1.jpg

Again... What is the heatsink clipped onto?

[Rhydian66]

The heatsink is clipped into nothing- it sits directly on top of the processor. There are 4 round pads at each corner and a rectangular pad in the centre. The heatsink seems to have been attached to the cpu with some kind of resin around the rectangular pad. The heatsink has the fan screwed into the fins, and is itself attached to the board by a metal clip running through the centre which screws in (on your picture the screws would be centre top and bottom of the white square). The board DOES NOT HAVE the white plastic socket, though in every other respect it is identical. Whatever that square sits on top of, that is what the chip is plugged directly into, though there is a stencil of where that plastic should sit on the board itself, with letters down one side and numbers across the bottom.

[clocker]

Rhydian,

I just DLed and read the manual for your board and it appears to have a bog standard AMD socket.
Retaining lever and all.

Sumpin' ain't right here.

Edit:
Just saw your last post...

Forget the heatsink for a moment, what the hey is holding the CPU onto the board?
It HAS to have a socket, I should imagine.

[Rhydian66]

You'd think that wouldn't you? I'll swear by whatever god or gods you wish that the white bit of plastic, which you would think would be impossible to leave out, has been left out. I can't shift the chip to see, but I'm guessing it's the same resin that was attaching the heatsink to the chip. Unbelievable I know, but true all the same. :blink:

[Virtualbody1234]

Who made that PC?

[Rhydian66]

It was Carrera SSC in the UK, and I wouldn't buy a paperclip from them ever again. Anybody reading this, I advise you the same.
And tell your friends.

[Virtualbody1234]

That's awfully strange. I can't figure out why they would do that. Is there any chance you could post a picture of that?

[clocker]

Maybe the owner retired on all the extra money he saved NOT using a CPU socket.
Elmer's glue has to be alot cheaper after all.

[SciManAl]

they did that with some older mobos in the 1995 - 1996 errar ( i know long time ago aint it??) and they simply made the mobo and proccesor a 1 unit thing, not detachable, this was mainly because aof a proprietary set up, the mobo was designed for a single cpu, and cpu for it, very effiecent, no way to upgrade though(although i remember just pitching the old one and getting a new one...) ya do that when you see walmart selling computers... <_< all- in- all looks like you will be buyin a new mobo...

[Rhydian66]

No can do on the pic i&#39;m afraid- no web cam, no digital anything. I could try scanning it? Tell you what, PM me your address and i&#39;ll mail it to you- it&#39;s bugger all use to me&#33; New motherboard time; i&#39;m just hoping that the bas**rds haven&#39;t glued the board onto the case to save money on screws.
Oh, and regarding Carrera, did I mention the £30 phone costs I incurred on their helpline when I first got the PC? They&#39;d made an arse of the configuration, and around 90% of that cost was me being on hold.
But i&#39;m not bitter. Honest.
Anyway, in the interest of balance, I got my new PC from Mesh- fantastic machine, very good price, excellent service. Built to run forever.

Thanks for the help guys, and Virtualbody, the board&#39;s yours if you want it. Then you could put a picture up for all to see. :D

[SciManAl]

that board deserves to be on a tv special about blunders of comp manufacturers even i don&#39;t make my work that cheaply wheni sell my comps... <_<

[Rhydian66]

What&#39;s the going price for Socket A&#39;s on the black market these days? If it&#39;s worth the hassle I might set up a little sideline. As long as I wouldn&#39;t be muscling in on territory already controlled by the Mafia or the Triads. :rolleyes:

[clocker]

I don&#39;t think that the socket itself is worth much at all.

The installation would be brutal however.

[Rhydian66]

Ber your ass&#33; Wait until they see the terms of the extended warranty. :shifty:

[Virtualbody1234]

No, don&#39;t send it to me. I don&#39;t think it&#39;s worth the shipping costs.

[Rhydian66]

If you live further away than than a 23p stamp can reach then you&#39;re probably right.