MotherBoard Testing

{|fontsize="14" border=".05" fontweight="bold" cellpadding=".5" width="100%" {|fontsize="12" cellpadding=".5" border=".05" font-weight="bold" cellpadding=".7" If none of the conditions above apply to this motherboard, go on to the next step. Remove the fan to manually read the CPU speed. {|fontsize="12" cellpadding=".5" border=".05" font-weight="bold" cellpadding=".7" {|fontsize="12" cellpadding=".5" border=".05" font-weight="bold" cellpadding=".7" {|fontsize="12" cellpadding=".5" border=".05" font-weight="bold" cellpadding=".7" Notes: Beep codes during power on step: Power down the motherboard. The beeping normally means either: The heatsink fan powers up, but I get no video. You'll know if you have video because most monitors have an LED lit power button that changes color (usually green) when the motherboard senses a video sync signal. || This could be due to many issues: Help getting into BIOS: The button on the monitor turns green and I get writing on the screen||Congratulations ! You have a successful boot. The next trick is to intercept the booting process so you can configure the BIOS.
 * align="left" padding=".5"|There are a multitude of items to check in motherboard testing. These steps will walk you through testing the functionality of a motherboard.
 * align="left" padding=".5"|There are a multitude of items to check in motherboard testing. These steps will walk you through testing the functionality of a motherboard.
 * width="25%" align="center"|STEPS
 * width="75%" align="center"|NOTES AND DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS
 * Evaluate if the motherboard should be recycled ||
 * Reasons to Recycle a motherboard include:
 * It says that it is a DELL motherboard.
 * There are no SATA ports.
 * It is a BTX format motherboard (I/O shield is on the right hand side of the board), a multisocket server board, or have a non-standard ATX (see ATX definition below).
 * The board has visible damage. This includes:
 * Blown capacitors. Visually inspect for check for ANY domed capacitors. [[Image:Blown_fuse_screenshot.JPG |thumb|[[Blown capacitors]] Check for curved or leaking top.]]
 * Damaged sockets. If it is a socket 775 check carefully for bent socket pins with a magnifying lens.
 * Dark areas on the underside of the board where a device (surface mounted) may have over heated.
 * Also see "Reasons NOT to reject a motherboard on preliminary inspection" under the "Notes" section at the bottom.
 * Dark areas on the underside of the board where a device (surface mounted) may have over heated.
 * Also see "Reasons NOT to reject a motherboard on preliminary inspection" under the "Notes" section at the bottom.
 * Mount the board||
 * Place the motherboard on the test jig.
 * Orient the motherboard so the external ports (printer, PS2, USB, etc.) are facing you.
 * (Check last page for general motherboard layout)
 * Check the CPU speed||
 * Check the CPU speed||
 * Check the CPU speed||
 * If it is under spec, replace it will a CPU 2.5 GHz or faster.
 * If there is no processor replace it with an appropriate CPU.
 * Look up the motherboard user manual for the appropriate CPU on the desktop of the research computer. If the manual there, perform an internet search to find one and save it to the appropriate folder on the research computer.
 * Unless it is a very fancy motherboard, sta{|fontsize="14" border=".05" fontweight="bold" cellpadding=".5" width="100%"
 * align="left" padding=".5"|There are a multitude of items to check in motherboard testing. These steps will walk you through testing the functionality of a motherboard.
 * align="left" padding=".5"|There are a multitude of items to check in motherboard testing. These steps will walk you through testing the functionality of a motherboard.
 * width="25%" align="center"|STEPS
 * width="75%" align="center"|NOTES AND DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS
 * Evaluate if the motherboard should be recycled ||
 * Reasons to Recycle a motherboard include:
 * It says that it is a DELL motherboard.
 * There are no SATA ports.
 * It is a BTX format motherboard (I/O shield is on the right hand side of the board), a multisocket server board, or have a non-standard ATX (see ATX definition below).
 * The board has visible damage. This includes:
 * Blown capacitors. Visually inspect for check for ANY domed capacitors. [[Image:Blown_fuse_screenshot.JPG |thumb|[[Blown capacitors]] Check for curved or leaking top.]]
 * Damaged sockets. If it is a socket 775 check carefully for bent socket pins with a magnifying lens.
 * Dark areas on the underside of the board where a device (surface mounted) may have over heated.
 * Also see "Reasons NOT to reject a motherboard on preliminary inspection" under the "Notes" section at the bottom.rt with the slowest, in spec, speed CPU we have in stock for this socket type, or one which is recommended in the user manual.
 * Install processor in the CPU socket ||BE CAREFUL!
 * Processor pins are gold alloy and bend easily. Use the standard practice for inserting CPU's in the motherboard socket as recommended in the user manual.{|fontsize="14" border=".05" fontweight="bold" cellpadding=".5" width="100%"
 * align="left" padding=".5"|There are a multitude of items to check in motherboard testing. These steps will walk you through testing the functionality of a motherboard.
 * Install processor in the CPU socket ||BE CAREFUL!
 * Processor pins are gold alloy and bend easily. Use the standard practice for inserting CPU's in the motherboard socket as recommended in the user manual.{|fontsize="14" border=".05" fontweight="bold" cellpadding=".5" width="100%"
 * align="left" padding=".5"|There are a multitude of items to check in motherboard testing. These steps will walk you through testing the functionality of a motherboard.
 * align="left" padding=".5"|There are a multitude of items to check in motherboard testing. These steps will walk you through testing the functionality of a motherboard.
 * width="25%" align="center"|STEPS
 * width="75%" align="center"|NOTES AND DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS
 * Evaluate if the motherboard should be recycled ||
 * Reasons to Recycle a motherboard include:
 * It says that it is a DELL motherboard.
 * There are no SATA ports.
 * It is a BTX format motherboard (I/O shield is on the right hand side of the board), a multisocket server board, or have a non-standard ATX (see ATX definition below).
 * The board has visible damage. This includes:
 * Blown capacitors. Visually inspect for check for ANY domed capacitors. [[Image:Blown_fuse_screenshot.JPG |thumb|[[Blown capacitors]] Check for curved or leaking top.]]
 * Damaged sockets. If it is a socket 775 check carefully for bent socket pins with a magnifying lens.
 * Dark areas on the underside of the board where a device (surface mounted) may have over heated.
 * Also see "Reasons NOT to reject a motherboard on preliminary inspection" under the "Notes" section at the bottom.
 * If you bend a pin or pins, you can use a 0.5 mm mechanical pencil and magnifying lens to right the bent pins.
 * If you snap off any of the processor pins, recycle the processor and get a replacement. Each pin is required for proper functioning of the CPU.{|fontsize="14" border=".05" fontweight="bold" cellpadding=".5" width="100%"
 * align="left" padding=".5"|There are a multitude of items to check in motherboard testing. These steps will walk you through testing the functionality of a motherboard.
 * If you snap off any of the processor pins, recycle the processor and get a replacement. Each pin is required for proper functioning of the CPU.{|fontsize="14" border=".05" fontweight="bold" cellpadding=".5" width="100%"
 * align="left" padding=".5"|There are a multitude of items to check in motherboard testing. These steps will walk you through testing the functionality of a motherboard.
 * align="left" padding=".5"|There are a multitude of items to check in motherboard testing. These steps will walk you through testing the functionality of a motherboard.
 * width="25%" align="center"|STEPS
 * width="75%" align="center"|NOTES AND DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS
 * Evaluate if the motherboard should be recycled ||
 * Reasons to Recycle a motherboard include:
 * It says that it is a DELL motherboard.
 * There are no SATA ports.
 * It is a BTX format motherboard (I/O shield is on the right hand side of the board), a multisocket server board, or have a non-standard ATX (see ATX definition below).
 * The board has visible damage. This includes:
 * Blown capacitors. Visually inspect for check for ANY domed capacitors. [[Image:Blown_fuse_screenshot.JPG |thumb|[[Blown capacitors]] Check for curved or leaking top.]]
 * Damaged sockets. If it is a socket 775 check carefully for bent socket pins with a magnifying lens.
 * Dark areas on the underside of the board where a device (surface mounted) may have over heated.
 * Also see "Reasons NOT to reject a motherboard on preliminary inspection" under the "Notes" section at the bottom.
 * Apply THERMAL grease on the processor||Use only enough thermal grease on the top surface of the processor to provide a thin film coating. The thermal grease film provides a more efficient transfer of heat from the processor to the heatsink. Applying too much thermal grease defeats the purpose and, instead, becomes a thermal barrier that traps heat in the CPU causing premature failure.
 * Install the heatsink (includes fan) ||
 * Make sure the heatsink is clean - use the air compressor to blow out dirt in the heatsink and anywhere on the motherboard.
 * Visually verify all parts of the heatsink are present and they function.
 * Some motherboards have 4 pin heatsink power connectors. It is best to USE 4 pin heatsink in this case, but not required.
 * Install memory||Refer to the user manual for appropriate memory.
 * If a user manual is not available, start with DDR 400 MHz 1GB memory stick.
 * If DDR2, use 1 GB 667 MHz memory stick.
 * For each reboot, place the memory stick in a different memory slot until all slots have been verified as functional. OR, use multiple, TESTED memory sticks of the SAME manufacturer, speed, and size.
 * Install video||If on-board video is present, use this video port.
 * If no on-board video present, select a TESTED video card appropriate to the type of on-board video slot present
 * Connect the video cable - use an adapter if needed.
 * If motherboard has a dual SLI video option,{|fontsize="14" border=".05" fontweight="bold" cellpadding=".5" width="100%"
 * align="left" padding=".5"|There are a multitude of items to check in motherboard testing. These steps will walk you through testing the functionality of a motherboard.
 * Install video||If on-board video is present, use this video port.
 * If no on-board video present, select a TESTED video card appropriate to the type of on-board video slot present
 * Connect the video cable - use an adapter if needed.
 * If motherboard has a dual SLI video option,{|fontsize="14" border=".05" fontweight="bold" cellpadding=".5" width="100%"
 * align="left" padding=".5"|There are a multitude of items to check in motherboard testing. These steps will walk you through testing the functionality of a motherboard.
 * align="left" padding=".5"|There are a multitude of items to check in motherboard testing. These steps will walk you through testing the functionality of a motherboard.
 * align="left" padding=".5"|There are a multitude of items to check in motherboard testing. These steps will walk you through testing the functionality of a motherboard.
 * Reasons NOT to reject a motherboard on preliminary inspection
 * Broken or missing memory slot attachment arms are no reason to reject a board as long as the board passes all the other tests.
 * Missing PS2 ports as long as there are USB ports available.
 * Missing on-board sound (resolved with PCI based sound cards).
 * Missing LAN ports (resolved with PCI based LAN cards)
 * Missing on-board video (resolved by PCI, PCI-e, or AGP slots on the motherboard)
 * Missing PCI slots - as long as there are PS2 or USB, video, and sound ports on the board.
 * Broken or damaged Northbridge, Southbridge, or SUPERIO chip heatsinks can be replaced as can any on-board fans.
 * Power Up Troubleshooting
 * You have the wrong speed memory installed. Power down the motherboard, choose the next slowest speed memory card, and reboot. THis usually fixes the beeping problem.
 * You have the wrong processor speed/FSB speed/L2 cache size cpu installed. Refer to the user manual for the motherboard for the correct speed processor. If no user manual is available try a processor with a slower FSB speed, smaller L2 cache, or slower processor speed.
 * Make 2 or 3 attempts at fixing the beeping problem before deciding to recycle the motherboard.
 * The onboard video isn't working. Either use an external video card in the video card slot or use a PCI based video card and reboot.
 * The motherboard doesn't like the video card you are using. Change out the video card - twice. It COULD be something other than a video card causing the problem.
 * Wrong speed memory. Use only memory that has been pretested by Advanced Testing.
 * Wrong/bad processor. Use only processors that have been pretested by Advanced Testing.
 * Check for blown caps - again.
 * Check to see if the CLRCMOS jumper is in the correct position. Normally, this means pins 1&2 are jumpered, but this is manufacturer dependant. A jumper in the wrong position will sometimes prohibit the motherboard from booting.
 * Look at the motherboard...is there an open 4 pin Molex connector? You forgot to plug in the +12v.connector, dummy ! Turn off the power supply, plug it in, and try again.
 * Once the initial black and white screen appears on the monitor look for and indication of what key sequence to enter to get into the BIOS configuration area.
 * This key sequence USUALLY involves hitting the DEL, F1, F10, or F12 key.
 * If NO indication appears on the screen about which key to enter, start entering the above keys as soon as you get a green light indication from the monitor.


 * Motherboards GENERALLY have a standardized layout as follows:
 * I. Lower left quadrant contains the CPU socket, CPU heatsink, the 12 volt power connector (4 pin Molex), and all the external connectors.
 * II. Upper left quadrant contains the memory slots, main power connector, floppy connector, and may have one to two IDE connectors.
 * III. Upper right quadrant contains SATA connectors, SOUTHBRIDGE chip, RAID connector (if any), front panel header, USB header(s).
 * IV. Lower right quadrant contains AGP/PCIe video slots, PCI slots, button battery (this can actually be in this quadrant or the upper right), PCI extender slot, and audio header.