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I have a computer (MSI 845PE Max mobo) that doesn’t start (fans don’t spin up) with a video card inserted in AGP slot (it does start when the AGP slot is empty). That didn’t happen yesterday. It happens regardless of what video I insert. I don’t have a PCI video card, so using it is not an option.

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You're using a 9 year old motherboard. Have you considered that it's just dead? – MBraedley Jan 3 '12 at 17:07
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@kinokijuf It's not always easy finding something 9-10 years old on the internet. Simple no integrated would have sufficed or a link/post of the motherboard. – kobaltz Jan 3 '12 at 17:18
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I had a car that was 10 years old at the time. One day, without warning, the alternator died and I was stranded. It worked fine yesterday, but that one day, it didn't. Stuff can go bad without warning. Have you tried pulling the powercord, pressing the power button for a few seconds and then plugging it back in and turning the computer back on? – kobaltz Jan 3 '12 at 17:20
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@kinokijuf Something working yesterday does not guarantee it's working today, it may have shorted during boot or blown a capacitor. Not saying this is the case but the fact that it was working yesterday does not rule it out... At least keep it in mind and visually inspect your capacitors. – Kyle Jan 3 '12 at 17:22
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Still could be the motherboard. Sounds like something is causing a ground or a short when you insert the card. Are there any metal parts from the card touching your case? Also when you insert the card does the power light on the MOBO go out? – Kyle Jan 3 '12 at 17:25
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closed as too localized by techie007, Kyle, haimg, kinokijuf, Sathya♦ Jan 4 '12 at 5:55

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1 Answer

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I agree with all the comments stating that this is old equipment and you shouldn't be surprised if it fails.

That said, it sounds like this is the situation:

Motherboard powers on (but is not terribly useful) without anything in the AGP slot.

Motherboard fails to power on entirely with something in the AGP slot.

If my understanding here is correct, that is to say that it's completely dead (not even fan activity) with something in that slot, lo and behold you have your problem. There's some electrical problem with that slot being populated that's causing the machine to not power whatsover - this could literally be something as simple as the slot plate cover on the card being bent somewhere and grounding the whole motherboard out improperly, or it could be that there's a failure with the card, or it could be that there's an electrical failure with the physical slot on the motherboard. (For what it's worth, my money is on a problem with the motherboard unless there's an obvious grounding problem).

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What’s a slot plate cover? – kinokijuf Jan 3 '12 at 17:31
You have to be trolling... – Kyle Jan 3 '12 at 17:33
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I think he should try run without a case, pull out the motherboard. Excuse me for my eng. – Roberts Jan 3 '12 at 19:14
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I tried. It is broken. This question can be closed. – kinokijuf Jan 3 '12 at 19:26
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@Shinrai Fortunately I had another mobo in the basement. – kinokijuf Jan 4 '12 at 16:17
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