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ACHSTechNav

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Motherboard identification and configuration

I am trying to fix up an old computer for someone I know, and, in the process of working on it, I managed to disconnect the Power, HD, and Turbo LEDs, the "Mode" plug (?) and the reset switch. I do not know the make of the motherboard, and I can't really hook it up to find out.
The board has a PI 200Mhz processor, and chips made by Intel and a company called "Winbond".
The intel chips are labeled:

PCIset
FW82371AB
L7251542
SL23P
INTEL(M)(C)'96

A7153046TE
G   725  KOREA

the other chip is labeled:

PCIset
FW82439TX
L7287503
SL28T
INTEL(M)(C)'96

572210101C
J    728  KOREA
--------

My question is this:

how can I identify what the board is,
and, using that information, how can I find the proper configuration for those blasted little plugs mentioned earlier?

thanks so much for your time!
~ACHS
Avatar of Callandor
Callandor
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Look along the edge of the motherboard - there should be a manufacturer name and model number in large white letters.
Even those little plugs are labelled in a row close to the front - however, the print is small, so a manual can usually be found to show what pins are used for what.  Of course, we'll have to wait until you tell us the name and model of the motherboard.
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Aniras

To find the power switch connector, you can hook everything up and then try shorting them in pairs of two until one set starts the computer. From there, you should be able to load the OS and run a utility to tell you the make and model of the board. Then just go back and hook up the other connectors accordingly.
If you do what Aniras said ( atx mobo ), just leave the keyboard unplugged, and write down the number on the bottom of the BIOS screen.
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ASKER

Okay... it looks like the board is "Micro-Star Model MS- 5156"--that's what's printed onthe board itself.

And, in trying to ID this board, I think I might have created another one...

I just switched the power supplies on this computer. It's one of thos old school ones, with the two, wide, white plugs as opposed to the one that snaps into the motherboard (I don't know the names of either v_v'). I plugged the two plugs in, with the multi-colored (it's labeled P8) one on the left (facing the board) and the red, white, and black one on the right (P9). I turned the power switch on (with this type of power supply, the power switch is hard wired to the supply, as opposed to in the case) and it made a buzzing noise, and the fan did not turn on. I switched the P8 and P9 plugs, and the Power supply did not make any strange noises, and the fan worked just fine.
When I went to start up the board tonight, the Power Supply worked fine (as said before), but the on-board fan did not power up, and the video card (plugged into the board) did not appear to give any output.

Did I accidentally burn out the board, or do I need to put some RAm in it before it'll work?

thanks, I'm new at motherboards, and I really appreciate the help.
The right way to plug these AT power supplies in is with the black wires in the center.  They're supposed to be keyed so the notches prevent you from plugging it in wrong, but I guess you forced it in.  I think you burned out something on the motherboard, but try resetting the CMOS and maybe you might get a response.
It needs ram in it for the mobo to boot.  Cpu, ram, and videocard are needed to see if it will boot. Some powersupplys need a HD plugged in to it to have enough load to turn on ( safety feature they tried for awhile ).
It's very doubtful you harmed anything by doing that. Try it with some RAM. In my younger years, I plugged those in the wrong order many times, and nothing ever got broken. I just switched them and everything was fine afterwards.
Black cords towards the center?
I was doing that, and it wasn't working...I'll try it again tonight...
Anyway, if anyone could find an online manual for the "Micro-Star Model MS- 5156" then i'll give them the points for this question.
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Callandor
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Thanks SO much! *gives points*
um thanks I'm glad I helped : P