[smalls0224]

Hello All,

I think I need to get a replacement motherboard for my HP a642n. I need to know a good inexpensive motherboard to get me through senior year. I think I need a new one because the machine will not turn on and the power supply light only blinks when I connect it too the motherboard, (when connecting to anything else, it is fine.) Also, the light next to the power supply connection on the motherboard blinks as well.

I know at this point I should be looking for a new machine, but I really wanted to wait until I finished school first, so I'm keeping what I have for now.

So here are the specifications of my machine:
HP Pavilion a642n Desktop PC - Product Specifications

Remember, I bought this my freshman year, so I know it is very old.
Upgrades:
Added 512 MB Ram (Now have 1 GB)
Added Creative Audigy 2 Soundcard

So any advice would be much appreicated.

[b1gapl]

This is a nice inexpensive motherboard, that's compatible with your machine:
Newegg.com - BIOSTAR NF325-A7 Socket 754 NVIDIA nForce3 250 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

[smalls0224]

Thank you for the quick reply. Seeing as this will be my first motherboard replacement, will I need anything else than what comes with the board?

[b1gapl]

Nope...it comes with all the cables, and software needed. Note that you will have to reinstall Windows, whenever you replace a motherboard, as the Windows installed now, won't recognize the new motherboard. Oh wait....I just realized this is an ATX motherboard, and probably won't fit in your case. You would need a Micro ATX motherboard.

Here you go:
Newegg.com - BIOSTAR K8M800-M7A Socket 754 VIA K8M800 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
...sorry about that.

[smalls0224]

Okay, when someone installed a replacement motherboard on my father's computer, it booted right up after putting in computer information. This was vista, however. I don't know where I'll be able to get another copy of windows xp pro at this point, I've long since lost the disks. Also, will I still be able to save the stuff on my hard drive?

[b1gapl]

I guess sometimes that can happen, without reinstalling Windows, but usually you have to. To be safe, I'd backup everything that's important, before you do this.

[smalls0224]

How would I back up my files without a working computer?

[b1gapl]

You don't have another computer or hard drive, you can back the files to? Well another way, is backing up the files on CDs.

[smalls0224]

Okay, I might do that or I'll just get an enclosure and save the hard drive if something goes wrong. Now I won't need any thermal paste or anything like that would I?

[b1gapl]

When you replace the motherboard, you would have to remove the heatsink, in order to transfer the CPU, to the new motherboard. It's really recommended that you re-apply thermal paste, because if you don't, there might not be proper contact, between the heatsink and CPU.