External HD killed my MoBo!

Just thought I might post this here and give it a try. I have (had) a Dell 9100, and I got an external HD case for backup (IDE). I did NOT READ the instructions, (cause Im no dummy) and they said that you need to plug this bad boy on the REAR USB ports NOT THE FRONT!

Well, I did it on the front, and put alot of programs on the HD, but then I read the instructions and plugged it on the back, and it worked for a few minutes, then CRASH, nothing, the computer will not come back on. It is dead. Probably a MB replacement at best.

QUESTION as I cannot load Windows or anything, how or what can I check (or can I) to see where the problem is, or is it too dangerous to mess with? How do I check a USB port, or what on the MB blew out.

 

Unplug everything except keyboard and mouse (this includes hdd, and cdrom drive and any other type of usb device (except keyboard and mouse)). For a test, remove the ram, boot the computer. Do you get beep codes? If so, put the ram in. Can you post?

 

Ok, I will try that, just need to dig it out of the basement!

 

With nothing 4 beeps or so, pause, Looong beeps, it beeped maybe 5x, then stopped- nothing. With Memory: 2 short beeps. (No video card) 3 lights come on in front, 1,2,3. Next to front earphone, USB, thats a Dell thing, not sure if its relevant. :confused

Now add video card to check for a BIOS? Oh, I did replace the video card, but both worked on other systems.

 

Yes, you can add video card and check for BIOS. Use a video card that draws the least power as power supply might be the culprit. (I'm just thinking that the reason they want you to use the back USB ports is because they get more power than the front ports. So if it crashed when connected to the back ports perhaps that minimal more power draw was enough to stress the power supply.)

 

Ok, video card in, plug it into the back and it came on without starting it up.

Monitor is blank. Unplug monitor and get a little 'no connection' thing floating around. Monitor green bulb blinks on off slowly.

Plug in HD (SATA) and it does not come on instantly, turn it on, but still same results. Blank screen...

Ahhhhhh I dun ruin my mutherboard didn IIIII/?????...:cry

Also, I did use the front ports first, for like an hour or so...(isnt this stuff supposed to be idiot proof?)

 

Try resetting the CMOS. Unplug and either move the jumper or remove the battery for a minute or two. Then put battery back and plug back in. See if anything on the screen.

 

Oh, the last time, the front numbers 2 and 4 are showing on the front of the computer. I don't think I have a manual. (1,2,3 were showing with just memory)

Ok, I cannot even see any jumpers on the M/B. Battery out for 8 minutes,

Plug in, computer just starts up again, screen blank with green light on/off...

Turn off/on screen el blanko..

 

I think the codes are the same for all models. http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim9100/en/SM/adtshoot.htm

2 and 4 are graphics problem. Try the other card.

 

ahhh, I just reinstalled, and I know this one works. I tried replacing it when this first occurred, with a different working card.

If the computer has a graphics card, remove the card (see "Cards"), reinstall it, and then restart the computer.
If the problem still exists, install a graphics card that you know works and restart the computer.
If the problem persists, contact Dell.

Dell send me a new M/B?