p6142p hard drive controller problem

[SparkyTech]

I have a client's PC and it is experiencing the same thing.  It was throwing me off because sometimes it will boot and other times it won't. I noticed that after I had it unplugged for a while that it would boot to windows or disk but soon after it that it freezes.  I'm going to call HP and demand a fix or a a replace.

[TimmmyGlue]

Alas, I look to have the same problem.

Has anyone had any luck going to HP with this (out of warranty)?. You'd think they could offer us a discounted replacement

part or someting....

I am finding the DDR3 versions of these boards for about $80.  Does anyone know if they will work as a replacement?

I do believe both board's support AM3 cpu socket type, so I think the cpu is reusable.  Would all one have to do is

replace the memory with DDR3? Has anyone tried this?

Thanks

[BigBamBoom70]

The SATA issue being described by many of you is indeed addressed by the latest BIOS update for both the Violet and Violet6 motherboards.  

Version 5.16 (or later) of the BIOS for PCs using the Violet6 motherboard should be installed.

For PCs using ther Violet motherboard, version 5.22 (or later) of the BIOS should be installed.

[greggl]

Greetings - I have a p6320f with the mzn78la that I felt I had narrowed down to the sata controller - is it the same/comprable to the m2n78la as far as this issue ? Thx

[tsimmie]

How can you do a Bios update if the pc won't boot and see the drives?

[wb2001]

tsimmie,

The fault is the motherboard. The BIOS upgrade was to increase the fan speed, in an attempt to cool down the board. This update does not fix the problem. It just caused the fans to "roar", and was another issue.

[InFocusIT]

I also have a customer with the same problem. The drives worked for a while but than stopped. I removed the mobo and found that the disk controler area on the back of the board was brownish indicating severe overheating.

I released the retainer clip for the heatsink and the "cement" simply crombled. My guess is that a manufacturer defect exists (considering the number of identical problem found on the web) or the product suffers from poor engineering.

At this point, the question becomes, is it worth the replacement of the mobo or just a PC altogether. I go back 30 some odd years with HP equipment (back to HP3000s, Vectra PCs, etc). I think the name is still solid but the more I deal with HP, the more it appears that they accepted the Dell phylosophy of mass & cheap.

Anyway, does anyone know of an inexpensive replacement board? I looked at Asus and did not find an exact replacement.

Thank you,