Recommendations on replacing a motherboard

EliaNG · Aug 16, 2009, 03:41 AM

Howdy Folks,

I'm posting because I've run into a problem while trying to get my mom's ~5 year old emachines T5212 PC to work. I originally knew of a HD problem (horrible grinding sound) and replaced it with a new Seagate. That didn't solve the problem of the computer working..so I think it is now an issue of the motherboard being fried.

I've read in a number of forums that emachines motherboards are cr*p so I don't want to spend money on an exact OEM replacement board just to have it fail again in a year or so. I want to buy a good, inexpensive motherboard that will work with the remaining contents of her T5212. I have a new Seagate HD, the DVD drive, the PSU, the RAM, the monitor, speakers, keyboard & mouse. Here are most of my questions:

1. What criteria should I use to determine what is a reasonable non-OEM motherboard?
2A. Is the CPU included with the motherboard?
2B. Do I use the existing CPU from her computer on the new MB?
3. If the old computer had video capability on the MB should the new MB also have it?
4. And what are the north port and the south port? I like ships and sailing, but what's with all the ports?
5. Sound?
6. Are there other considerations?
7. Any recommended brands?

I understand that I'll need to buy a new OS, since the disc included with the PC doesn't contain the entire OS, only a portion of it; apparently the OEM HD that came with the PC had a partition on it and that's where the other portion of the OS resides. I wonder if I can still find a copy of XP available somewhere.

My goal is to minimize her expenditures while providing a reliable basic PC - she really only wants/needs to surf the web and send e-mail.

Many thanks in advance,

EliaNG · Aug 21, 2009, 07:50 PM

tf7426,

I have to thank you for the help. I went to a local computer chain store and found a 36 inch IDE ribbon, which fit the bill perfectly. There was enough distance between the second and last connectors to suit the odd emachines DVD and HD installation layout, so that went in perfectly. I also picked up some system interface wire bundles (inexpensive) to splice onto the too-short existing ones. From my motorcycling days I had a wiring splice kit, with crimp connections, and those worked perfectly for the system interface LED wiring. I removed the case fan, so just the CPU and PSU have fans; both work fine. The CPU fan came with the e-machines computer and man is it noisy (!). Anyway, the system worked just fine, I easily loaded the OS, set up some accounts, and loaded some office software.

MANY MANY thanks for your help! You really pointed me in the right direction, saved me time and money (and aggrevation). Super help!

Elia

tf7426 · Aug 22, 2009, 04:05 AM

no problem, glad to.

yeah asus's fan control is famously dodgy thats why i always put a manual control on my computers.

EliaNG · Aug 23, 2009, 04:09 AM

Having read your response on the ASUS fan speed control, I took a look thru the ASUS manual that came with the MB. The MB I bought has that fan speed control option/alternate. Pretty slick. I'm going to take the PC up to my mom's house today and set it up; there I'll mod the fan speed control. Again, many thanks.

Elia

EliaNG · Sep 4, 2009, 03:46 AM

tf7426,

Here's a quick update: After my last post I took the computer up to my folks house, set it up, installed the software, and it began running like a champ. The only issue I have yet to resolve is the wireless network connection. I am not sure if the issue is one with how I've set up the connection (I know the name and WEP for the wireless router) or something else. The connection only shows 2 of 5 bars. Unfortunately the router is where it is, and there aren't too many other locations where I can move it. Web and e-mail access are not yet working. I may remove and reinstall IE...maybe that will work?

Oh, yeah, almost forgot - I tried to access the ASUS control that allows for the alternate CPU fan speed but couldn't get that to work. Maybe I just need a little for time...

That's it for now.

tf7426 · Oct 3, 2009, 01:34 AM

Soz for taking long to reply, moving house

Have you tried instaling an alternate browser (download from a different PC) or tried it with firewall turned off? You've probably fixed it now anyway.

Another little program that works on most motherboards is SpeedFan.

EliaNG · Oct 3, 2009, 11:07 AM

tf7426,

It seems big part of the problem was my sister and mom turning off either the PC or the wireless router...(!!!)...not allowing the updates to complete. Once I was able to "babysit" the PC and allow it to do it's updates everything worked out just fine.

I'll check in to Sppedfan. I think the ASUS updates also hadn't gone thru, so I bet the alternate fan speed/temp profile is now there.

Thanks again,