m8530f desktop PC with a m2n78-la mother board doesn't see my drives

[BurningFury]

Sorry, it was e9120y

[fatskunk17]

If you're scared just thinking about it, maybe it's not a good idea !  But if you think you have the abilities to do that, here are the "general" steps.

Unplug everything from the tower

Open it

Unplug everything from the mobo

Remove the hard disk tray (for the space)

Unscrew the mobo from the case

Swap the memory sticks

Swap the cpu (You'll need to apply thermal paste between heatsink and cpu)

All the above step in reverse.

The connectors position on the new board may vary but the user manual explain where they are.

I haven't tried, but it seem you won't be able to boot on your old windows drive so you'll need a fresh install of the OS.

You can take a look at the board manual (http://www.manualowl.com/m/Gigabyte/GA-MA785GM-US2H/Manual/207712) to get an idea if you're able to install it

[maple-canada]

OK, here is another victim. PC model number p6142p  and motherboard modle number:

• Manufacturer's motherboard name: Pegatron M2N78-LA

• HP/Compaq name: Violet-GL8E
  The system can not detect SATA devices. It's only a little bit more than two years' old. I am pretty upset.
  And you guys in US are lucky at least you can find a decent replacement locally in a cheap price. Here in Canada since AM2+ motherboards are discontinued only weird brands can be found. Shipping across the border may cost more than the board worths (shipping+duty etc.). This is the PC lasted shortest time among the ones  I have ever owned.

[BurningFury]

Quick Update:

DescentFiend had suggested the "Gigabyte GA-880GMA-USB3" as a replacement for the e9120y model

board. Over here:

http://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-GA-880GMA-USB3-880G-Micro-Motherboard/dp/B004YNJUB4

I hadn't noticed when I ordered it, but can this board also make a good replacement?

http://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-GA-880GM-USB3-880G-Micro-Motherboard/dp/B003HBQ6Z2

If it isn't, I can always ship it back and get the other one.

Please let me know what are the differences between the two cards, and recommend me which

to use. I'm no expert as you can tell. Thanks for everything.

[protivakid]

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@maple-canada wrote:

OK, here is another victim. PC model number p6142p  and motherboard modle number:

• Manufacturer's motherboard name: Pegatron M2N78-LA

• HP/Compaq name: Violet-GL8E
  The system can not detect SATA devices. It's only a little bit more than two years' old. I am pretty upset.
  And you guys in US are lucky at least you can find a decent replacement locally in a cheap price. Here in Canada since AM2+ motherboards are discontinued only weird brands can be found. Shipping across the border may cost more than the board worths (shipping+duty etc.). This is the PC lasted shortest time among the ones  I have ever owned.

---

Newegg.ca has AM3 boards for under $50 shipped. Thats not bad at all.

[maple-canada]

Thanks for you suggestion. But unfortunately this Violet-GL8E board is an AM2 board and my CPU is an AM2+ socket one too. The AM2+ cpu doesn't work on AM3 motherboard at all.

I will keep an eye on the NCIX weekly special to see if they will put an AM2 MB on for sale ( they some times put some obselete products on sale).

And I have a feeling the ASUS AM2+ board has different fron-pannel connector with the Violet-GL8E one but the Gigabye MB has the same PIN outs with Violet-GL8E (based on the feedbacks peopele are providing in this thread). I actually checked the user manual of Gigabye and Violet-GL8E. The front panel PIN connector PIN outs look the same for me (9 PINs).  Isn't it funny that Violet-GL8E is actually an ASUS MB?

[protivakid]

Ahh, Its very confusing that the m2n78-la model is used to reference multiple boards, especially when some are not AM3.

There are a few boards on newegg.ca that claim to support AM2/AM2+/AM3

As far as the pinouts go, just pop the leads out of the pastic connector and re-arrange them as needed. Worked like a charm for me.

[Jonny_B_ANGRY]

I started with trying a M3N78-pro but quickly realized it wasn't microATX (didn't know there was a size spec until after...)

went and tried it anyway and got everything going except for booting windows.  with MANY attempts at fixes i'm 99% sure I need a new OS...  but I'm going to get another MB that'll actually fit the case since this didn't work.

I like the idea of the GA-78LMT but my dead board was AM2+.  will that fit/work in the AM3 Gigabyte mobo?

[maple-canada]

For the ones who replace the motherboard, does the original Vista/Win7 activation code still work for you?

[protivakid]

Yes