[penn919]

Hi,

I have a emachines Desktop model # t2984 with the following specs:
|CPU:|Intel® Celeron® D 340 Processor
Operates at 2.93GHz
256KB L2 cache & 533MHz FSB|
|Operating System:|Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Home|
|Chipset:|Intel® 845GV chipset|
|Memory:|512MB DDR (PC 2700)
Expandable to 2GB|
|Hard Drive:|80GB HDD|
|Optical Drive:|48x Max. CD-RW Drive; 16x Max. DVD Drive|
|Media Reader:|8-in-1 digital media manager (USB 2.0, Secure Digital™ (SD), Smart Media, Compact Flash, Memory Stick®, Memory Stick PRO, Micro Drive, Multimedia Card)|
|Video:|Intel® Extreme Graphics 3D
64MB Shared memory|
|Sound:|AC '97 Audio|
|Network:|Intel® PRO 10/100Mbps built-in Ethernet|
|Modem:|56K ITU v.92-ready Fax/Modem|
|Peripherals:|Standard Multimedia Keyboard, 2-Button Wheel Mouse, Amplified Stereo Speakers|
|Ports/Other:|5 USB 2.0 ports (1 in Media Manager; 4 in back), 1 Serial, 1 Parallel, 2 PS/2, Audio-In & Out|
|Dimensions:|7.25"W x 14.125"H x 16"D|

Recently, my computer stopped booting so I took it to Fire Dog from Circuit City. They told me that they think the problem is with the motherboard and that I need to contact Emachines for a replacement so they can install it. After i got in contact with an emachines employee, he directed me to a site where I can find the appropriate replacement. Here it is. The problem is that it cost $160 bucks! After doing a little research I found this and I just need someone with technical expertise to confirm that it will work with my computer just as well as the Emachines motherboard.

thanks.

[crazy4laptops]

the things compatible you have to look for are these-

cpu socket # and FSB

memory/ram clock speed

video card- integrated, AGP, PCI-E (which one is yours?)

There is more than one cause that stops a computer from booting. Hard drive failure, bad component, shorted connection, bios setting, etc.

Are you sure that the mobo is the cause of the failed booting?

[penn919]

Quote

video card- integrated, AGP, PCI-E (which one is yours?)

I had an Intergrated Graphics Chip: Intel® Extreme Graphics 3D 64 MB

Quote

Are you sure that the mobo is the cause of the failed booting?

I really can't be sure about anything. I'm not technically inclined when it comes to computer hardware. That's why I sent it to FireDog so that they could find the problem for me. When they called back they told me that they think the problem is with the motherboard, so I just have to take their word for it. I can tell you that I don't think the problem is with the psu because when I peered through one of the air vents I could see a tiny green led light that was on. I'm not quite sure what the led light was for, but I think it is safe to conclude that the psu is working, but the Desktop will not power on at all.

[techie4fun]

Is anything showing up on the screen when you boot up your computer?

[penn919]

techie4fun said:

Is anything showing up on the screen when you boot up your computer?

No. The computer does not turn on at all. When I press the On button, absolutely nothing happens.

[coastie65]

Hey Penn, When you hit the button, does the light on the switch come on and do the fans run ? If not, then most likely it is your PSU that has died. This is not all that unusual for an eMachines. That having been said, yes, there have been problems with the MOBOs, but from what I've seen it is primarily with the AMD based machines. If in fact it is the MOBO and you replace it, with something other than an eMachines replacement board, the restore disk will not work. You will have to contact eMachines. In fact you may have to with an emachines replacement board as well, due to the "Tattoo" signature on the board. They will most likely send a new new disk ( for a price of course). If you make a major hardware change ( MOBO, optical drive, HDD, or add a Video card) the restore disk will not work. If it is an eMachines replacement MOBO, optical drive, or HDD, then you will also need a replacement for the restore disk becuse of the "NEW" hardware signature. coastie65

[penn919]

coastie65 said:

Hey Penn, When you hit the button, does the light on the switch come on and do the fans run ?

No. when I push the "On" button, nothing happens. No light, No Fan, No monitor screen, No nothing. As I said before, Absolutely nothing happens.

coastie65 said:

If not, then most likely it is your PSU that has died.

OK, but then why do I see a small green led light when I look through the desktop case? I believe it's coming from one of it's componets (perhaps the motherboard). Wouldn't that rule out a PSU failure?

[coastie65]

Hey penn, You are talking about the standby light and because it is lit, it doesn't necessarily mean the PSU is good. Even with a bad power supply that is on the cusp of going, but not yet gone, you will get some function, but it will be erratic, and could even lead to overheating. coastie65

[penn919]

Coastie,

How can I be sure what the problem is? I don't want to go out and buy another mobo and later find out that the problem lies elsewhere. If what you say is true, then there is no way for me to rule out any of the potential causes.

[JimH443]

The PSU has many voltages. If any one of them has gone bad the computer won't work. The fact that you're not even getting a fan makes me suspect the PSU. Or it could simply be a bad power SWITCH.

Aren't computer problems fun? <sigh>

[rgreen4]

Penn - I am sorry but I wouldn't trust either Firedog or Geek Squad to even take my PC out of the box. Several years ago I went into our local Best Buy to see about upgrading the memory on my laptop. The memory boost required a BIOS update and I had never flashed a BIOS, which can be a tricky situation. They told me they would have to send it off!
There have been too many horror stories about their "repairs", and if you will note, they display no "Certfied Repair" decals on the front facade of the store as is required by every certified computer repair shop - by the manufacturers. I am fortunate in that I have a good friend whose son I have known for 30 years is the IT manager for a local major national corporation. His Mom and Dad have me over for supper most every Tuesday night, and he and his wife and two small kids are there as well. It is a good opportunity to talk computers, he got his start with the industry as a certified repair technician and worked into networks and then this current position. He advised me to do it exactly by the instructions and everything turned out well.
Look in the yellow pages for a certified repair technician near you. While it would help if they were certified by eMachines, but that may be unlikely. What is important is the training and expertise of the on-site repair technician. They need to be certified by a manufacturer in order to be able to access the manufacturers database and order replacement parts. Apparently the machine is old enough, that eMachines, as do other manufacturers, has spun off the older repair parts to parts jobbers. The technician can diagnose the problem and let you know the exact problem.
They can also do what Firedog will not do, and swap in a PSU and test the machine.
-OR-
You can purchase a suitable PSU and swap it in yourself paying attention to the connections. By my count you would have about 4. You want a PSU that has a 20 pin or a 204 pin main board connection since the board has a 20 pin (from the diagram). There should also be a 4 pin CPU connector near the CPU, and then two 4 pin molex connectors, one to the HD and one to the CD. You would want something larger that about a 350w and probably a 450 considering the machine. One too small is harmful and one slightly oversized won't hurt. They are fairly easy to change, simply press the latch on the side of the two on the mobo and rock them out easily, don't yank. The two on the drives don't have latches, but remove them in a similar rocking motion. Once you have all the connections out, remove the four screws holding the PSU in the case and ease it out. It will come out, but sometimes because of the drives and mobo, it has to be turn in various ways. Ease the new on in, replace the screws, hook up the connectors and hook up the periphials and turn it on. Replacing the side panel is optional at this point. Mine is off right now due to a temporary drive connection through the open side.
Here is a link to one I would consider if buying one in this class. It is reasonable and has the 20+4 MB connection Antec has a good name and I have several of their more powerful 550w supplies in my machines. With shipping from Newegg it's less than $30 which is very reasonable. You can buy others on Newegg for less, but they are what I would call jobbers. Antec, Coolmax, Enlight and such manufacture power supplies and cases. Many of the jobbers you find have a variety of items they sell, and do not concentrate on power supplies nor do they manufacture them - they order them from someone else. They may be ok, but the PSU is one of three critical items in the machine, the other two being the MB and CPU.
You might also open up the case and make sure the on switch leads are firmly connected to the MB connector before you do anything else. There is a connector typically in the lower right hand corner of the case, just make sure that all the little connectors are pressed firmly down on the pins. I recently has an internal USB drive that failed, and when I opened the case, there was a broken wire.

[coastie65]

Hey penn, As I had previously stated, due to the nature of the PSUs that eMachines use, I strongly suspect the PSU, as a previous post mentioned IT COULD be the switch, but I doubt it. PSUs are relatively inexpensive these days. You didn't give the model # of your eMachines but I think it is probably ATX. The only MOBO problems that I am aware of with eMachines is with the the AMD based machines. I have yet to hear of any problems with an Intel based MOBO, but have heard about PSUs failing. coastie

[coastie65]

Hey Jim, Those eMachines PSU's are not necessarily reliable for any length of time although I do know of one that has gone for nearly 4 years so far. I changed the one in here after about 5 months as I needed more anyway. I added a PCI-E graphics card and 300w just didn't cut it. The only MOBO issues that I am aware of with eMachines is with the AMD based machines for some reason. I have not heard of a single MOBO issue with the INTEL based machines. As you said, it could be an issue with the switch, but I am strongly leaning toward the PSU. coastie

[JimH443]

I agree completely, but testing the switch is easy and, if you already have a voltmeter or continuity checker, free.

[coastie65]

Yeah, and the know how to use them. :D coastie

[rgreen4]

Hey Coastie, as I said, I think also that it's more likely to be the PSU. It is a spot every manufacturer can take shortcuts, although I have been fortunate with my HP's to date, although they are on the weak side. My 4 1/2 year old desktop that just won't die has a 300w, but it's a P4 with on board graphics, and an off brand PSU (lowest bidder I'm sure). I would be leary of the one sample I showed Penn as $20 before shipping is awful cheap, except for the fact that it's an Antec, and PSU's are their bread and butter.
A bad power switch would be real easy to test, I believe that all you would have to do is short the two terminals momentarily where the power switch plugs in. Of course MPH would be more up on that.
I had always considered e-machines as something less than primo until a friend's daughter gave her son one for Christmas last year when I was there, and I helped Grandpa set it up. Good case and good specs. Runs Vista really well in 1GB, even though the naysayers say it won't. They don't have a wide diversity in models, but they seem well built. They don't have the design pizazz as the Dell's and HP's do, but neither does my own build job. Much less expensive too.

[coastie65]

Hey rg, This one seems to be hangin tough with a few upgrades here and there. The case has good venting and there are 4 fans going in there. I had a T2824 that was a little short of this one and only had PCI expansion slots. I sold it to a friend and it is still humming along almost 4 years after I bought it. I did upgade the processor and add a PCI graphics card plus memory. I haven't been real impressed with what I've seen lately from eMachines though. All are AMD based and I am an Intel sorta guy. :D coastie

[JimH443]

Just FYI... I bought the least expensive eMachine available a year and a half ago ($500, including monitor). I honestly don't remember what processor is in it, but the System Information reports:

Processor x86 Family 15 Model 6 Stepping 4 GenuineIntel ~3334 Mhz

[coastie65]

Probably Celeron or Celeron D coastie

[penn919]

After doing some research, I found out that Motherboard and/or PSU failures is a wide spread problem with Emachines desktops. It appears as though many of the Emachines models come with defective PSU's that damage the motherboard. When the PSU croaks, it takes the Mobo with it. Another Emachines desktop that I own (D4362) is now shutting off sporadically for no apparent reason. I suspect that it's having psu problems as well. I wonder why this hasn't been reported by any of the major tech editorials?

You can read here for yourselves if you're curious.

I'll definitely stay clear of any Emachines systems from now on. In the end, it probably pays to spend the extra money on a more expansive brand that actually lasts.