Is Motherboard damaged?

[Grant]

Hi guys.

My current (outdated) Motherboard is a P4C800e Deluxe and for a couple of months now I've had these problems:

I Need to setup the Bios (F1) each time after switching it on from being completely off (killing the power at the back - MB light goes out). I don't need to do this with just a reboot.

The time (clock) doesn't keep even after setting it up in the bios and auto updating via the net.

The C drive I was physically using did stop being recognized by the bios so I installed Windows to another physical drive. (I'm using Win 7 Evaluation 7100)

YES - I have tried resetting the CMOS jumper and taking out the battery and replacing the battery with 2 new ones just to be sure. I also took it apart and cleaned up and put back the CPU.

It's time to rebuild anyway so I've just got the bios thing down to about 20 seconds each boot up.

I'm assuming the MB is damaged somehow. I hoped to give it to my wife and daughter.

It's not a biggie - it's lasted 5 years but does it sound like hardware or software to you?

Cheers.

[WILSON]

Strange but have you tried updating the bios or reflashing it?

[Clunk]

Sounds like it needs a new battery that's all.

[ARandomOWl]

YES - I have tried resetting the CMOS jumper and taking out the battery and replacing the battery with 2 new ones just to be sure. I also took it apart and cleaned up and put back the CPU.

Maybe the mobo has just given up *shrug*

[Grant]

Yeah.
The technical conclusion `Ah bollocks!' comes to mind.

[Clunk]

Oops, missed that bit, sorry

yeah, sounds borked then. Sometimes, if you can get into the BIOS, adding a slug of NB voltage can help this.

[Grant]

I'm going to the store today to buy a new motherboard for my next build
I can't afford the rest yet so it's going to sit on my desk and I'm going to stare at it for the next few weeks..

As for this old faulty board - My last resort possibility is that I got thermal paste on the motherboard possibly by putting too much on and maybe the CPU fan blew some residue on the board. There is no thick residue but it did look a little dusty or tinted in a couple of nearby places.

Question: I have to buy it in Japan - but what solution or product should I buy to wipe down the motherboard? This is my last shot.

Thanks dudes.

[kinnsy]

Have you checked the electrolytic capacitors on the motherboard, are any of the cans
have bulging tops or leaking at all? Your symptoms look very similar to stuff I've experienced
due to bad caps in the past.

[Kelainefes]

Don't buy a new motherboard now, it makes no sense as you won't be using it.
When you buy everything in a few weeks you will likely get a better price.

[Clunk]

Yes, what ^^he said.