advice on motherboard for AM2 socket processor

[Nacho-RT74]

I'm having problems with my PC, with blue screens and problems trying to install softwares. I was pretty sure it was the HDD, but changed and trying to install windows was allmost imposible. Had to reinstall the old HDD and keep running

Now searching for a good but AFFORDABLE motherboard for AMD AM2 socket. Micro ATX case.

Please don't tell me get a new processor and blah blah... just restrict on the requirements I'm trying to fill: a good and affordable Motherboard to fit an AMD AM2 socket processor Atlhon 64x2 Dual core 3600+ ( APO ADO3600CUBOX )

I don't want to get a new processor, I know its a little bit old but Is not more than a home use PC what I want to keep running good like it was running around 4 to 6 months ago when the problems began, and they have been increasing.

I have been reading some but a little bit confused about which one to get.... Biostar, Asrock, MSI ? ( the one I actually have is MSI K9VGM-V ). Some other brand ? some adviced model?

remember... MICRO ATX CASE


will be searched locally

[FLG]

Nacho you might just have a power supply issue. A bad power supply (its usually the capacitors that go) can cause all the isses you list above.

Go in the bios and see if you have a tab for "pc health status" and see what the different voltage readings are, or simply open it up and put your meter on one of the connectors, red should be 5v yellow is 12v and report back with your findings. Also inspect the motherboard for buldging or leaking capacitors. Finally if you have good hearing a tell tale sign of a bad capacitor is that it will have a high pitched squeeling sound. So put your ear up to the powersupply and have a listen. Sometimes they will even make noise with the coomputer off as well (might be easier if the fans are loud)

Also while your in the bios what is the processor temperature (in celcius please)?

Finally, if it is a bad power supply I highly recommend "fortron source" very high quality units and are not too expensive, also I may have a spare one, if it is a power supply issue and I have it, its yours.

[Nacho-RT74]

well problems began when I installed an used Ram memory I found to expand from 1Gb to 2Gb ( full capacity on motherboard now ) and windows didn't want to start up from that moment, Removed the "new" memory I was isntalled and problems remained. Had to format and reinstall everything, but wasn't able to select the AERO look of Vista. Vista tells me I have 1.5 MB Ram. BTW, I could and the end to fit both module memories and make them work, my old one and my "new" one

Do you still think it could be the Power supply issue ? I can check the voltages though

will check the BIOS... anyway I think also is a good time to change the motherboard

forgott to say... tipical errors I was having after this windows reinstall:

HOST PROCESS TO WINDOWS GOT AN ERROR AND CLOSED ( more less like that ). Then the look changes to look like classic windows view, instead the one I had set

When resets itself  says after the recovery, WINDOWS WAS RECOVERY FOM AN UNEXPECTED CLOSE ( sometimes resets itself twice or three times before get recovered )... I click on accept and then takes me on the resolution of the error some problem with PX engine ( some software related with Roxio what it looks some graphic deal. When this happened I didn't got really a blue screen more like a black and blue screen uneligible to read... something like out of the screen resolution deal.

Avast wasn't beeing updated, and of course the red X saying problems with antivirus software

.....

I decided to reinstall windows once more last week, not without problems to make it ( Of course a cracked windows, but the same I had before ) and problems have been decreased but still resets itself quite often, this time I can see and read the blue screen. But now I can't install office ( from CD at least ) or got some problems to install MSN messenger.

Sorry if there is some english problem in my explanation... I'm better speaking english when car related LOL.

( at the end I think Ram module memory was damaged and f***ed out the motherboard, but who knows if everything is just casuality )

[A383Wing]

I had Avast on this laptop...was not being updated...and then once I did update..I had problems with screen loading and programs running...actually, what I did was a system restore before I installed Avast

so I deleted Avast and all is well again

[FLG]

Nacho,

Run this for a few hours and see what happens

http://www.memtest.org/

You need to download the iso file, use a program like deep burner (also free) to burn the iso to a cd than restart the computer and boot off the cd. If you have a floppy drive you can use that instead.

[Nacho-RT74]

forgott to say... shockwave flash CONSTANTLY Failing, and makes close bronswer windows

[Nacho-RT74]

the PChealth on BIOS shows perfect Power suply values

now the PC doesn't want to start not even booting from CD. Makes all the initals steps, appears the windows bar ( like is loading ) then appears the mouse with black screen and just stops there

trying to boot from CD its exactly the same just with the bar WINDOW IS LOADING FILES... ends that step, appears the mouse with the installation wallpaper, but stops there, never gets into the CD instalations options

trying to start in SAFE MODE is the same


everything I try, simply stops after the windows bar

[FLG]

Nacho,

You need to boot off the cd before going into windows, either set the cd rom as your first boot device or usually you can hit one of the f keys for a one time boot menu and choose the cd rom. I assumed you burned the iso file correctly?

[Nacho-RT74]

Haven't had the chance to make it! Yesterday was so tired that decided to proceed today with what you told me. When turned off the PC didn't turn off correctly, and had to cut the power. Today, was imposible to start up windows... WHAAAAATEVER... I hate computers and softwares.

simply will make the trial and error... will buy new motherboard and memories... lets see what happens.

Now I'm reinstalling everything on my laptop with a cracked windows 7 ( SOMEHOW, THE OPERATIVE SYSTEM WAS DELETED ACCIDENTALLY HERE!! ), so thats why I'm able to still be on line

[Nacho-RT74]

Done, new motherboard ( Asrock ) and Ram... everything coming back to life again

running a cracked windows 7

my laptop doesn't support windows 7 very good, SOOOO will need to install XP