[fixing old person's computer thread]
amd chipset; can't figure out if lightning fried the on-board ethernet/nic & ability to read DVD drive, or if the mobo crapped out (it did kill the external qwest router/modem). HDD & remainder of OS functionality still intact, as are all other peripherals (printer, usb drives, keyboard, mouse).
tonight going to take over my own DVD & ribbon cable to narrow down problem. if it's the drive, so what -- who reads DVDs any more? especially elderly users who just need inet/email.
only sticking point is when they need to install a non-windows driver, like for the belkin usb wireless nic. would have same issue if i got a nic card for the only available slot.
questions:
1: how can you absolutely tell if the mobo's junked w/o serious diagnostic tools?
2: what's the best route to finding & cannibalizing another similar machine to swap parts? 2b: is it better to just newegg a new pc? saving $50, but spending 10hrs seems silly.
amd chipset; can't figure out if lightning fried the on-board ethernet/nic & ability to read DVD drive, or if the mobo crapped out (it did kill the external qwest router/modem). HDD & remainder of OS functionality still intact, as are all other peripherals (printer, usb drives, keyboard, mouse).
tonight going to take over my own DVD & ribbon cable to narrow down problem. if it's the drive, so what -- who reads DVDs any more? especially elderly users who just need inet/email.
only sticking point is when they need to install a non-windows driver, like for the belkin usb wireless nic. would have same issue if i got a nic card for the only available slot.
questions:
1: how can you absolutely tell if the mobo's junked w/o serious diagnostic tools?
2: what's the best route to finding & cannibalizing another similar machine to swap parts? 2b: is it better to just newegg a new pc? saving $50, but spending 10hrs seems silly.