BX6 compatibility question

[jeffc]

I have an Abit BX6 v2 motherboard. My computer is now experiencing problems and I'm starting to suspect a hardware problem on the motherboard and am considering replacing it. I'm assuming I can just swap another BX6 v2 into my computer without reinstalling Windows, and expect everything to work the same (correct me if I'm wrong.) My question is: what could I expect if I swapped a BX6 (no version 2) in there. Would it still work, or would it require a reinstall of Windows? Or woulde there even possibly be a hardware incompatibility with something in my system?

 

[Rick (archive)]

"jeffc" wrote:

I have an Abit BX6 v2 motherboard. My computer is now experiencing problems and I'm starting to suspect a hardware problem on the motherboard and am considering replacing it. I'm assuming I can just swap another BX6 v2 into my computer without reinstalling Windows, and expect everything to work the same (correct me if I'm wrong.) My question is: what could I expect if I swapped a BX6 (no version 2) in there. Would it still work, or would it require a reinstall of Windows? Or woulde there even possibly be a hardware incompatibility with something in my system?

If I remember correctly the only major difference between the Rev 1 and 2 BX6 was the addition of a 1/4 multiplier for the PCI bus (someone please correct me if I'm wrong..) So as long as you're running at stock speed or something close to it you should be able to swap out the motherboard without any problem.

Just BTW check the capacitors around the CPU slot and see if any are bulging or leaking. It might be less expensive to get your existing board repaired than buy a new one. See any of Homie's posts for the website address.

Rick

 

[jeffc]

"Rick" wrote:

Just BTW check the capacitors around the CPU slot and see if any are bulging or leaking. It might be less expensive to get your existing board repaired than buy a new one. See any of Homie's posts for the website address.

Thank you! This was mentioned as a possibility by someone else too, but I didn't know they could easily be fixed.

 

[jeffc]

"Rick" wrote:

Just BTW check the capacitors around the CPU slot and see if any are bulging or leaking. It might be less expensive to get your existing board repaired than buy a new one. See any of Homie's posts for the website address.

It turns out I've been stricken. I did some more research on this on the web and it's quite a story. Michael Crichton could write a book about it (just throw in Demi Moore and Michael Douglas or someone for the gratuitous sex plot....) I have to say that I'm no guru but pretty handy with computers, and figuring out this problem has been kicking my ass. I'm going to take a crack at soldering some new ones on there myself. If I wreck it, new boards are available on eBay for $15.