Cracked AGP port/nForce Chipset....

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Howdy.

Two separate questions....

1. I had a Shuttle something something GT something 2 (it's toast) that either died just after turning one year old, or more likely, was murdered by me seating and reseating my video card (geforce 2 GTS) which, thanks to the retainer clip was a real b-tch.

Obviously I could have trashed the board with ESD (or maybe when it tipped over...) but let's say for the sake of argument that I just pushed too hard on the video card. Could I have cracked the AGP port as the technician theorized, rendering it useless? If I did crack the AGP port, would that interrupt a "circuit" preventing use of PCI video cards in PCI slots (assume correct voltage)? Or are electrical pathways on a mobo structured like a spider's body?

2. So, I need to buy a new mobo and video card (a capacitor/transistor fell off the card when I pulled it out). What's the story on nForce chipsets v. VIA chipsets? Are nForce chipsets working for you or have you had headaches?

3. Are retainer clips on the AGP tools of the devil?

4. Is it unusual for a mobo to die after one year? Techies: what's a distribution curve look like for mobos going toast?

5. Why did I say two questions then ask five?

6. Why did I let myself go spelunking inside the guts of my machine?

[paul9]

6. 'Coz it's great fun and next time you WILL be more careful!!
1. sometimes you can damage the soldered connections to the mobo from the agp connector, this would not always stop the other slots from working unless you snapped a track. some tracks, however hae a lot of routes around the board (like the zero volt line) if you cracked the agp socket, it should show any damage bad enough to stop it working (usually!!).
4. not really, this stuff can go bellyup anytime, but if you get past the first month, then you are usually out of danger for quite a while.
3. no, but he does have a part interest in the patent on them.

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Ahhh....

Grasshopper see clearly......

Grasshopper buy another mobo from Newegg and video card and hire technician to come to his house.....

Grasshopper does not take box to shop. Receptionist say in morning that box be looked at in afternoon. Receptionist lie. Receptionist she-devil. Receptionist cover technician's ass for eight days. Technician not empowered to turn away workflow.

Grasshopper use wrist strap and light incense....