Computer experts. My XP tower went dark. opinions

[Wulfmann]

I use a W10 laptop for 98% of everything but keep my old XP tower as it has many programs like Word I don't want to but plus many old games and sims I used t work on.
When I push the on button the front blinking light does not show at all and no signal to the monitor.
PS is on as are all the fans. Green MB light is on
Tried the usual unplug everything except the SSD with the OS, no change
Put in the XP CD and a blank SSD, the same
Seems like total CPU failure or MB Kaput
By passed video direct from V-Card to MB

Asus M3A78PRO MB; AMD Quad 64 4800 CPU, Edit correction, dual core not quad

I use it also as a mass storage unit with my old 1TB HDs so lots of stuff I don't want to lose (I know I an get the data later)

Please no use W10. XP runs things I want so I will rebuild as I need to with XP

Any thoughts?

[Springfield]

When you first power on, does it make any (faint) beeping sounds? Sometimes the motherboard can beep a code to say what has failed.

It could be a RAM stick - remove all but the 1st RAM stick and try booting, then if not, swap it for another single RAM stick. There are ways to troubleshoot a motherboard, but at this point I'd suggest just buying another identical or compatible new-old motherboard that fits and power supply.

[macattack321]

If I still lived close to you, I'd take a look at it.

Springfield is right: bare-bone the heck out of it and go from there.

If I'm not mistaken, that motherboard was made when tons of bad electrolytic capacitors were in the supply chain. You might want to visually inspect the power supply and motherboard for leaking or swelling caps.

[Wulfmann]

Sure MA now you move away

Forgot to swap the RAM sticks, that was it.
Been so long I forgot one of the first things to do

Need to buy some new ones.

I have extra video cards as they dried up and were what had a short lifespan.

Should have bought a new CPU and MB back then when they were giving them away but alas

Thanks, guys, why I asked. I knew I likely missed something obvious

[Wulfmann]

So much for my lifetime OCZ warranty. They no longer offer a lifetime in their lifetime warranty

[Wulfmann]

Can I use a different spec RAM.
The current OCZ is a DDR2 PC28500 1066 2GB (each) 5-5-5 2.2Volts

I found this one what do you think?
https://www.newegg.com/p/0RN-00H0-00NJ8 ... klink=true

This seems too cheap to me
https://www.newegg.com/crucial-4gb-240- ... 6820148160

Would not lose much trying though

Thoughts appreciated

[Springfield]

Can I use a different spec RAM.
The current OCZ is a DDR2 PC28500 1066 2GB (each) 5-5-5 2.2Volts

I found this one what do you think?
https://www.newegg.com/p/0RN-00H0-00NJ8 ... klink=true

You can probably use a slightly faster clocked RAM stick, if it's still PC2 / DDR2.
The one in your first link looks like a match and should work.

This seems too cheap to me
https://www.newegg.com/crucial-4gb-240- ... 6820148160

That page has an option for the right clock speed, 1066, but your link went to a slower stick. As long as the clock speed is the same or a step faster, and it's the same PC2 kind, it should work. Crucial makes good memory and New Egg should not be hard to get a refund from if you get a bad one. I'd try this first.

[Wulfmann]

Missed that thanks SPRING.
Ordered 2 of them.
XP will not use more than 3GB so not sure if I will even install them until the second OCZ goes belly up and 2GB is fine with as little as I use the tower to retrieve files and make labels on Word for the gun show

Relieved it turned out to be the RAM stick rather than a big rebuild

[macattack321]

I might have some DDR2 laying around here. I'll just mail it to you (for free), if I find it.

[Wulfmann]

Thanks for the great advice
Great MacA. Give it to your dad for me

What MB can I buy that would use a cheap AMD CPU and be OK for a XP rebuild with the 9800GTX VC?

When did they change so XP can not be used as in what is the latest I can use with CPU that are out of date and cheap.
I will stock up on 2 MBs and 2CPUs this time
I know almost no video cards made now will work with XP so I bought 4 9800 types when they were dirt cheap (Since had to replace 2 over the years)