PC PC PC
30-Apr-24 5:46pm
#1 Porksta
Howdy folks, had an issue with my PC and took it to Micro Center for repairs. I am told the bios is shot and a new motherboard will be needed. They quoted me a parts + labor amount, but wanted to get some advice on a new mobo. I have asked but have not yet heard back which motherboard they will be installing but said it would be $363. No clue if this means it will be a good or just a vanilla "get the computer working" part. My PC is a stock Alienware R11. I basically use the computer for work and CS2. Any advice on what a good motherboard would be and cost?
#1 Porksta
Howdy folks, had an issue with my PC and took it to Micro Center for repairs. I am told the bios is shot and a new motherboard will be needed. They quoted me a parts + labor amount, but wanted to get some advice on a new mobo. I have asked but have not yet heard back which motherboard they will be installing but said it would be $363. No clue if this means it will be a good or just a vanilla "get the computer working" part. My PC is a stock Alienware R11. I basically use the computer for work and CS2. Any advice on what a good motherboard would be and cost?
30-Apr-24 6:39pm
#2 Finn
Bios shot? I mean it's possible but pretty rare IMO.
If you were having POSTING issues, random shutdown's and restarts maybe Blue screens then it's possible that was because of a corrupted Bios (maybe even the CMOS) However bad memory, hdd/ssd or other hardware can cause Blue screens and lock ups. I have had a bad PSU cause random restarts and shutdowns and a graphics card cause random restarts.
How old is your PC though, and what were some of the issues that made you take it in?
If you are looking at replacing the Motherboard, you will probably have to look into replacing the case also Dell like many PC makers (with the exception if boutique PC builders) typically all have proprietary screw layouts and are not compatible with many if any other ITX/ATX motherboards other than there own. It's possible Microcenter is Dell certified and has access to parts however. It's something I would look into. I know when I worked for Dell they were big on replacing the PSU when replacing Motherboards. It's somewhat possible that the reason the BIOS/CMOS was corrupted or damaged in the first place was because of a faulty PSU so if you are just replacing the board the problem is still there. So you may want to look at that also.
Also when looking at a board, there really is not much difference between a high end and low. A high end will maybe offer some Overclocking assuming your CPU allows it typically you get more IO they look cooler but your not going to gain FPS. The good thing about buying common boards is they often get updates or fixes MUCH faster since it's really a numbers thing. So look at spending around $100 for something decent. You basically have to find one that's compatible with your CPU. The older it is the harder it maybe to find one on the shelf. Personally and this is just up to you, but I would look at replacing the power supply also. They don't put the best in pre-builds. They can be replaced for $60-$80 depending on how much power you need... I don't know much about your PC but I would think you could get away with a 600 watt. When I buy one I typically like a PSU that is at least 50-100 more watts then what I need incase I upgrade something down the road.
One of the biggest things I used to tell my customers is that if the cost of the repairs are going to come close to or exceed the value of the PC it maybe a good idea to replace it. That may not have been good for the business because we would make MUCH more on the repair. But I would not feel right without at least giving the option.
#2 Finn
Bios shot? I mean it's possible but pretty rare IMO.
If you were having POSTING issues, random shutdown's and restarts maybe Blue screens then it's possible that was because of a corrupted Bios (maybe even the CMOS) However bad memory, hdd/ssd or other hardware can cause Blue screens and lock ups. I have had a bad PSU cause random restarts and shutdowns and a graphics card cause random restarts.
How old is your PC though, and what were some of the issues that made you take it in?
If you are looking at replacing the Motherboard, you will probably have to look into replacing the case also Dell like many PC makers (with the exception if boutique PC builders) typically all have proprietary screw layouts and are not compatible with many if any other ITX/ATX motherboards other than there own. It's possible Microcenter is Dell certified and has access to parts however. It's something I would look into. I know when I worked for Dell they were big on replacing the PSU when replacing Motherboards. It's somewhat possible that the reason the BIOS/CMOS was corrupted or damaged in the first place was because of a faulty PSU so if you are just replacing the board the problem is still there. So you may want to look at that also.
Also when looking at a board, there really is not much difference between a high end and low. A high end will maybe offer some Overclocking assuming your CPU allows it typically you get more IO they look cooler but your not going to gain FPS. The good thing about buying common boards is they often get updates or fixes MUCH faster since it's really a numbers thing. So look at spending around $100 for something decent. You basically have to find one that's compatible with your CPU. The older it is the harder it maybe to find one on the shelf. Personally and this is just up to you, but I would look at replacing the power supply also. They don't put the best in pre-builds. They can be replaced for $60-$80 depending on how much power you need... I don't know much about your PC but I would think you could get away with a 600 watt. When I buy one I typically like a PSU that is at least 50-100 more watts then what I need incase I upgrade something down the road.
One of the biggest things I used to tell my customers is that if the cost of the repairs are going to come close to or exceed the value of the PC it maybe a good idea to replace it. That may not have been good for the business because we would make MUCH more on the repair. But I would not feel right without at least giving the option.
30-Apr-24 6:49pm
#3 Porksta
Thank you for the in depth reply! Will read through it!
Yea, I'm not surprised at the issue. CS2 was constantly freezing and I would have to reboot several times during a match. Installed some updates and it froze during install. Would not turn on. The 3-6 sequence of flashing lights told me it was the BIOS so I believe what the tech told me.
I've had the PC about four years now.
A fudgeed bios won't impact any of my saved data, will it?
#3 Porksta
Thank you for the in depth reply! Will read through it!
Yea, I'm not surprised at the issue. CS2 was constantly freezing and I would have to reboot several times during a match. Installed some updates and it froze during install. Would not turn on. The 3-6 sequence of flashing lights told me it was the BIOS so I believe what the tech told me.
I've had the PC about four years now.
A fudgeed bios won't impact any of my saved data, will it?
1-May-24 7:32am
#5 Tony
I had a weird problem myself yesterday. In the middle of surfing the 'net, my monitor showed "no signal" and went to sleep. My computer was on and the hard drive light was lit without blinking, but didn't respond to any keystrokes - even Task Manager. I used the power button to shut it down, waited about a minute, and then restarted. Everything has been fine since.
#5 Tony
I had a weird problem myself yesterday. In the middle of surfing the 'net, my monitor showed "no signal" and went to sleep. My computer was on and the hard drive light was lit without blinking, but didn't respond to any keystrokes - even Task Manager. I used the power button to shut it down, waited about a minute, and then restarted. Everything has been fine since.
1-May-24 3:48pm
#6 Porksta
Thanks for the help guys. Support is just replacing my motherboard with the same thing that was in there. Should have it back in a few days.
#6 Porksta
Thanks for the help guys. Support is just replacing my motherboard with the same thing that was in there. Should have it back in a few days.
PC PC PC