Error message reading

Error message reading "SECTOR NOT FOUND" or other error messages indication certain data is not allowed to be retrieved.

PROBLEM CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
A number of causes could be behind this.	Use a file by file backup instead of an image backup to backup the Hard Disk.	Back up any salvageable data. Then do a low level format, partition, and high level format of the hard drive( see Hard Disk section of your manual for instructions). Re-install all saved data when completed.

System only boots from Floppy Disk.........

System only boots from Floppy Disk. Hard Disk can be read and applications can be used, but booting from Hard Disk is impossible.

PROBLEM CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Hard Disk boot program has been destroyed.	A number of causes could be behind this.	Back up data and applications files. Reformat the Hard Drive as described in the Hard Drive section of the manual. Re-install applications and data using backup disks.

System does not boot from hard disk drive

System does not boot from hard disk drive, can be booted from floppy disk drive.

PROBLEM CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Connector between hard drive and system board unplugged.	When attempting to run the FDISK utility described in the HARD DISK section of the manual you get a message, INVALID DRIVE SPECIFICATION.	Check cable running form disk to disk controller on the board. Make sure both ends are securely plugged in; check the drive type in the Standard CMOS Setup (in your motherboard manual).
Damaged Hard Disk or Disk Controller.	Format hard disk; if unable to do so, the hard disk may be defective.	Contact Technical Support.
Hard Disk directory or FAT is scrambled.	Run the FDISK program, format the hard drive(See HARD DRIVE section of manual). Copy your backup data back onto hard drive.	Backing up the hard drive is extremely important. All Hard Disks are capable of breaking down at any time.

System inoperative. Keyboard lights are on, power indicator lights are lit, and hard drive is spinning.

PROBLEM CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Expansion card is partially dislodged from expansion slot on the motherboard.	Turn off computer. Take cover off system unit. Check all expansion cards to ensure they are securely seated in slots.	Using even pressure on both ends of the expansion card, press down firmly on expansion card.
Defective floppy disk drive or tape drive.	Turn system off. Disconnect the cables from one of the floppy drives. Turn on the system, check to see if the keyboard operates normally. Repeat until you have located defective unit.	Contact Technical Support.
Defective expansion card.	Turn computer off. Remove an expansion card.	Make sure expansion card is secure in expansion socket.

If screen is blank.

Screen is blank.

PROBLEM CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
No power to monitor.	Power connectors may be loose or not plugged in.	Check the power connectors to monitor and to system. Make sure monitor is connected to display card, change I/O address on network card if applicable.
Monitor not connected to computer.		See instructions above.
Network card I/O address conflict.		See instructions above.

Common Computer motherboard problems and solutions

I am sure that you are an expert with computer software. But you are afraid of wasting your time repairing common computer hardware problems. I will guide you through common computer hardware problems. Solve common mother board problems yourself. Here in this blog you will find simple step by step instructions to solve your common mother board problems. Solving common simple problems yourself will save you money and time. The experience brings added skill to you. Try to repair your computer yourself. Learn complicated computer Hardware issues.

Your PC when you starting its directly bios opens

Solutions : Unplug your computer, open up the case and pop the battery on the moterboard out (this will reset the motherboard to defaults), plug the computer in and turn it on. If that fixed your problem, please turn off the computer and put the battery back in. If not, please tell us more about what the screen shows.

How to Tell if a Computer's Motherboard Can Run a 64-bit Processor

All of Intel and AMD's motherboards that have the correct socket type for a 64-bit processor can operate in 64-bit mode. The socket is the part of the motherboard that connects to the processor. The motherboard may need a BIOS update to run a 64-bit processor when upgrading from a 32-bit one. If you are wondering if a motherboard you are running is 64-bit compatible it may be faster to first check if the processor you are running is 64-bit compatible. If the processor is not, you can check the motherboard's socket type.

Instructions Check the Socket Type With CPU-Z

* Download, install and open CPU-Z (see References for a link).Click on the CPU tab.

* Read the "Package" section. As an example, an AMD Phenom II processor could come up as having a "Socket AM3 (938)" connection.

* Check to see if the socket type supports 64-bit processors in the Tips section

* Click on the Start menu.

* Right-click on "My Computer" and select "Properties."

* Click the Windows Experience Index.

* Select "view and print detailed performance and system information."

* Read the "System" section to determine if the computer is running in 64-bit or is 64-bit capable. A yes answer for either means the motherboard is 64-bit.

* Refer to either the motherboard's features section on the spec sheet or the diagram. This information is usually included with the computer's manual.

* Look for the processor connection socket type.

* Compare the socket type to the list of 64-bit compatible sockets in the Tips section.

Tips & Warnings

* The Intel supporting motherboards with sockets 478, 479, LGA 775, LGA 1156, LGA 1366 and later models are 64-bit motherboards.

* AMD supporting motherboards with 754, 939, 940, AM2, AM2+, AM3, and later models are 64-bit motherboards.

* Intel Motherboards that use the socket 478 connection support 32-bit and 64-bit processors. If you are running a Pentium 4 processor and Windows claims the computer is not 64-bit capable, the motherboard might still be 64-bit compatible. You can upgrade the processor to a 64-bit Pentium 4 from a 32-bit Pentium 4 on a Socket 478. In all other cases, if the processor does not support 64-bit processing the motherboard it is fit on does not either. All motherboards that have Intel sockets made before Socket 478 do not support 64-bit computing. Note that you may have to update a Socket 478 motherboard's BIOS to use it in 64-bit mode. Motherboards running Pentium 4 processors with Socket 423 are not 64-bit compatible.

* AMD motherboards are more straightforward. If Windows claims the processor can't run in 64-bit mode, the motherboard is not 64-bit compatible. The AMD Athalon XP processor, which runs on the Socket 462 connection, is 32-bit, while the Athalon 64 processor uses the Socket 754 connection and is 64-bit compatible.

What to Do If the Motherboard Light Turns On and Nothing Else Happens

How to troubleshoot and resolve instances when a motherboard lights up but the computer won’t power-up correctly after.

Board faults aren’t always easy to diagnose, but beep codes and motherboard diagnostic cards can be used to more precisely pinpoint a problem. The beep codes will give the first indication that something is wrong, take note if beeping sounds are being made by the board and check what the beep codes mean. However, there are times when the motherboard lights are on but there is no power and no beep code. In this article we will highlight the possible causes and suggest some ways to resolve the problem.

What to Do If the Motherboard Light Turns On and Nothing Else Happens

Ensure that the power supply’s connection is securely seated on the board including the power cable that plugs into the back of the computer. 

Ensure that all the jumpers are correctly set. If no configuration or hardware change has been made to the computer, there shouldn’t be a problem, but one has to be sure.

Ensure that the power supply switch is working properly

Freezing in Windows Motherboard or CPU Problem solutions.

A couple of months ago I had my computer repaired at a local shop, who replaced my motherboard and CPU. After that it hasn't been working quite as intended. The computer starts up just fine, but after between 1-20 minutes in Windows 7 it freezes completely. There is no error message, it just locks up and I have to shut it down using the power button on the front. If there is any sound playing at the same time I can hear that looping at a very high frequency (basically just a high pitch noise). The system does not seem to be overheating, temperatures are around 35c according to HW Monitor.

By using components from my friends' computers to test I've been able to determine that it is either the motherboard or CPU causing it. Problem is, the shop that sold me the components has since gone out of business, so I can't go back to them asking for a refund.

Does anybody here on Tom's know of a way to fix my PC that doesn't involve RMA'ing the hardware directly with Foxconn and Intel?

All drivers for computer:
- MB: Foxconn FlamingBlade GTI
- CPU: Intel i7-920
- Memory: 2x2GB A-DATA DDR3
- PSU: Corsair TX650W
- HDD: Samsung SpinPoint F1 640GB
- Corsair H50 Water cooling